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William Shakespeare Hamlet Betrayal Quotes

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“Better to have a known enemy than a forced ally” – Napoleon Bonaparte. This quote explains that a fake friend is more dangerous than a known enemy as a person can be prepared and be aware of the enemy, on the other hand a person cannot be prepared for an unknown enemy. Similarly, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, describes how a hidden enemy can destroy the whole empire and generation. This essay reflects on greed, manipulation, and moral corruption by Claudius. In the Hamlet, Claudius’s greed for power resulted in betrayal. He murdered his own brother for the throne. “But now, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown” (Shakespeare). 1. What is the difference between a. and a. 5. (43-45) His actions showed …show more content…

He ordered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on the Hamlet, which raised the sense of suspiciousness in the kingdom; also this action interpreted that loyalty could be bought and sold. “Then are our beggars’ bodies, and our monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggar’s shadows” (Shakespeare 2.2). 277-288. See the corresponding section. This quote explains that friends of the Hamlet are manipulated by Claudius and forget their relationship with Hamlet. This defines how weak loyalty was made by orders of Claudius as they did not know that Claudius was the real culprit. It raised internal affairs between family and demonstrates that internal enemy manipulation could destroy peace without the acknowledgment of others. Furthermore, actions of Claudius led to moral corruption and contaminated integrity. He married Queen Gertrude two months after the death of King Hamlet. “Heaven and Earth, must I remember? Why, she would hang on to him,” (Shakespeare 1.2.144-145). It created distrust in the environment and questioned their relationship. It reflects how Claudius would disobey the law and could sacrifice the court for his own

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The other motive why to a public count I might not go is the great love the general gender bear him” (IV.vii.11-20). In this quote, Claudius talks to Laertes and reveals the only two reasons why he will not kill Hamlet which was because his mother, Gertrude, is his wife who loves her son Hamlet, and that he is admired by all the citizens of Denmark. Also anything Claudius says against Hamlet will end up hurting him and his power, rather than the one he was targeting for. Additionally, when Claudius is planning the murder of Hamlet, he is showing intelligence because he thinks ahead to all outcomes of the fencing match against Laertes and Hamlet. He decides that having another plan would be smart to make sure his plan is fully accomplished.

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