ipl-logo

Serpent Archetypes In Hamlet By William Shakespeare

674 Words3 Pages

Throughout life betrayal is inevitable; in most situations one cannot plan or avoid being betrayed. Betrayal can happen to anyone but is usually driven by a similar force. Archetypes are repeated elements, which represent similar forces in life and literature. A serpent is an archetype that can symbolize evil, deception, and backstabbers. In today’s society serpents are everywhere, people will do anything to further their value in this world. This type of person will do anything to feel more important than those around them. These people turn into serpents to achieve this. They backstab the ones that care about them the most. In the end people like this usually end up unhappy and alone. Shakespeare uses the serpent archetype in the play Hamlet. …show more content…

One way Claudius represents the serpent is when he killed his brother, the king, Hamlet Sr. Hamlet Sr. is a beloved king that had a great amount of power. Claudius is jealous of his Brother and decided to take that power away from him. “The serpent that did sting my Father’s life now wears his crown.” (Shakespeare 1.5. 44-45). Claudius let the evil side of his control his actions, which led him to betray his brother. Claudius being a serpent resulting in him killing his brother. Claudius believe power was more important than family. The serpent snuck his way up to the top by hurting those in his way. Claudius didn’t think twice when killing his brother. The serpent took over Claudius’s mind causing the act of betrayal to happen. The Serpent can not only directly betray someone but can push another to commit the act of …show more content…

Claudius, the serpent, feels threatened by his nephew, hamlet. Claudius does not want to lose his recently gained throne. He convinces Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlets close childhood friends, to do his dirty work for him. “The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England: for like the hepatic in my blood he rages, And now must cure me.” (Shakespeare 4.3. 70-72). Claudius uses his serpent characteristics to trick the two into betraying Hamlet. Claudius lied saying that murdering Hamlet when he is in England will help Denmark. “Ay, Sir: that soaks up the kings countenance, his revals his authorities, but such officials do the king best services in the end.” (Shakespeare 4.2. 16-18). Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are blinded by the serpent’s evil ways. The two believe Claudius will give them power and money if they Betray Hamlet. The serpent uses deception to trick the two into acting like a serpent. Claudius influence on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern continue to spread evil throughout

Show More
Related

Rhetorical Devices In What Dreams May Come

1592 Words | 7 Pages

Like many British rulers (e.g., Henry IV, Elizabeth I, Richard III), Claudius kills a family member, performing “an act of state” and following “a tradition which every English monarch had had to accept for two hundred years” (45). Once on the throne, he must begin the process of securing his position: praising the dead king, forming political alliances, marrying Gertrude, dealing with the threat of Fortinbras, conciliating ministers (e.g., Polonius), and attempting a reconciliation with his primary rival Hamlet. Because Hamlet refuses to embrace the new king, Claudius must engage in spying tactics to gain knowledge about his potential enemy and, ultimately, decide to terminate the threat. But in Shakespeare’s political tragedy (unlike the realities of British history), murderers are destined to fail. Aside from the fact that all of his supporters die (e.g., Polonius, Laertes), Claudius proves a weak leader because he “invariably prefers compromise to confrontation, placatory gestures to open defiance” (51-52).

Read More

Why Is Hamlet Better Than Claudius

1378 Words | 6 Pages

Claudius expresses his thoughts on Hamlet to many people including Gertrude: “His liberty is full of threats to us all” (iv.i.14). Hamlet makes attempts to expose Claudius for murdering his father by putting on a play that mirrors the murder and he shames his mother for marrying Claudius. After seeing the play and hearing of Polonius' murder, Claudius felt even stronger about Hamlet being a threat. In order to prevent Hamlet from convincing everyone Claudius should not be king. He tells the people around him that Hamlet has gone mad and must leave.

Read More

Figurative Language In Hamlet's Soliloquy

741 Words | 3 Pages

Claudius is then compared to the internal organs of slaves and a man without morals, remorse or kindness (Ham.2.2.607-608). The powerful metaphors and adjectives used to describe Claudius not only express Hamlet’s intense contempt and disdain towards him, but also serve to convince Hamlet to commit murder. However, Hamlet depicts himself as a whore, a prostitute, and a swearing kitchen maid (Ham.2.2.614-616), reiterating the notion that he is worthless, as well as weak for expressing his emotions through words rather than actions. The shift from metaphors to similes indicate Hamlet’s failure to move past his cowardice and proceed with an act of revenge that would inflict

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Awakening Of Hamlet And Laertes

815 Words | 4 Pages

The Awakening Of Hamlet and Laertes The awakening of Hamlet and Laertes, has us all wondering on what the real issue is, and who the real victim is in the scene. Hamlet and Laertes both have awoken; with both of them realizing the truth, and what is really happening; things are starting to be more open minded, and in between the scenes things do not start to look good at all. To bring you into reality, and to explain the similarities with Hamlet and Laertes, I will be first explaining the details with Hamlet. Hamlet is a young man, a man who honors his mother and father.

Read More

Why Is Hamlet's Actions Justifiable

231 Words | 1 Pages

Claudius gives Hamlet a sea of reasons to commit revenge. The largest reason by far is that he killed King Hamlet, married his wife, and took his throne (Act 1, Scene 4). Plus he has the nerve to scold Hamet for mourning his father (Act 1, Scene 2). Claudius even turns Hamlet's friends on him. He asks Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to speak with Hamlet and report his every action (Act 2, Scene 2).

Read More

Claudius Deceiving Character Analysis

1517 Words | 7 Pages

In great literature there are often characters who are deceitful to others to carry out a greater purpose. By doing so the character often compromises relationships with friends and family but it can also compromise the safety of the character and others around them. In the play Hamlet Shakespeare uses Hamlet’s character to elaborate on this situation, Claudius is deceiving his family and friends for a greater purpose which at times seems to do more bad than good. Claudius deceives many people in the tragedy Hamlet.

Read More

Examples Of The 7 Deadly Sins In Hamlet

412 Words | 2 Pages

Claudius became so slothful and envious that he murdered King Hamlet, his own brother(Act 1, scene 5, line 40). Without Sloth, none of the other sins would be brought about in this play. If Claudius had a work ethic he might have been able to have the same powers and glory that his brother possessed. The sin caused by sloth also lead to make Claudius even worse. He married his sister in law and had to sin much more in order to cover his tracks(Act 1, Scene 5, line 44).

Read More

Abuse Of Power In Elizabethan Era

1534 Words | 7 Pages

Firstly, Hamlet is a play of a man by the name of Hamlet, whose father was murdered by Claudius, his uncle. Claudius murdered the king by pouring poison in his ear to claim the throne for himself. Hamlet is then told by a ghost to murder Claudius for revenge, and he struggles within himself for the length of play whether to do it or not. When Hamlet begins to hesitate it does more damage than good and causes a chain reaction of tragic events, and makes the readers question whether Hamlet is truly sane or not. Claudius’s corruptness begins to show when he uses his authority to order those around him to rid of Hamlet.

Read More

Example Of Betrayal In Hamlet

1327 Words | 6 Pages

The betrayals that Hamlet suffered were done to him by people who were very close to him. The biggest betrayal Hamlet suffered was done to him by his uncle, Claudius, which then caused the betrayal of his mother, Gertrude, who then convinced Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to betray Hamlet as well. The betrayal by Claudius is the reason that Hamlet began his quest for vengeance, Claudius murdered Hamlet’s father, Claudius’ own brother, in order to get the throne and his brother’s wife, Gertrude, Hamlet found out about Claudius’ betrayal from the ghost of King Hamlet who said “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life / Now wears his crown.” [Shakespeare I,ii,38-39] the serpent that the ghost referred to is obviously Claudius, as he now wears the king’s crown. This is a betrayal against Hamlet because he was extremely loyal to his father, and thought very highly of him.

Read More

Examples Of Deception In Hamlet

407 Words | 2 Pages

This is shown when the Ghost informs Hamlet: “But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life / Now wears his crown” (1.5.45-47). The word “serpent” is used for two reasons: Claudius told Hamlet that a serpent

Read More

Hamlet: The Aristotelian Tragic Hero

1358 Words | 6 Pages

However, Hamlet’s goes through a journey of different feelings towards this motivation. Hamlet is initially ardent to kill Claudius, driven by his anger and hate towards him. For example, Hamlet describes his hate for Claudius when he exclaims, “O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!... At least I’m sure it may be so in Denmark (1.5.107–110). His description of Claudius as the villain shows that Hamlet seeks to commit justice for the corruption that Claudius has brought about.

Read More

Hamlet Punishment For Non Thinkers Essay

743 Words | 3 Pages

Punishment for non-thinkers Question scholars ask today is that if Hamlet would’ve thought before he acted if he would still be alive. Is it possible that this one action could’ve saved his life. THIS QUESTION MUST BE ANSWERED. In the story ‘Hamlet’ there are many question but one there is one that could be related to this day and that is. Is it better to think thoroughly then to act immediately.

Read More

The Importance Of Redemption In Hamlet

1386 Words | 6 Pages

As Claudius repents, Hamlet feels as though it's the best time to kill him until he says: And so ’a goes to Heaven; And so am I revenged. That would be scanned. A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his son, do this same villain send To heaven (3.3.73-78) Essentially, Hamlet wanted to murder Claudius because he was the Old King’s murderer.

Read More

Hamlet Deception Essay

1168 Words | 5 Pages

By expressing their unwavering loyalty to the king by agreeing to spy on Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern reinforce the theme of deception as he betrays Hamlet, their long-time friend, in order to carry out Claudius’s dirty work. This betrayal and deception ultimately lead to their tragic demise as the letter, Hamlet’s execution note, which they are ordered to deliver, is discovered by Hamlet himself and used against them. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are executed and Hamlet feels no guilt whatsoever, as their betrayal really hurt him. Another illustration of deception is highlighted through the various acts of King Claudius, as he is the mastermind behind many of

Read More

Loss Of Innocence In Hamlet

731 Words | 3 Pages

As a result,Hamlet can never trust his uncle’s wicked ways to get into people’s heads. Hamlet was betrayed by his friends because they worked for Claudius and gave orders from him,which caused him to not trust them either. For example,when Claudius summons Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to spy on Hamlet,Claudius said,”see if you can make Hamlet feel better and see if you can get info on what he is up to”(Shakespeare 87). This behavior shows evil purposes and twisted words. Claudius sends Hamlet’s friends to make him happier but also use them to see if Hamlet is mad.

Read More

More about Serpent Archetypes In Hamlet By William Shakespeare

Related Topics

Open Document