Corruption in Hamlet :: Essays on Shakespeare Hamlet

Corruption in Hamlet An incidental comment from a shaver character lays down, in the opening moments of Shakespeares Hamlet, the theme which is to pin together each(prenominal) its aspects. Francisco the guard says, I am sick at heart. Act I. Sc. I, 29. Franciscos sick melancholy is in keeping with the atmosphere of corruption and decay which permeates the play unexplained, difficult to define, just now with a clear component of dread. And, typically, his expression of misgivings is misinterpreted, perhaps even underestimated. Barnardo, desire palpable reasons for Franciscos distraction, asks whether Francisco has had a quiet watch. Perhaps he wonders if the ghost has sick of(p) Francisco, but whatever is ailing Franciso remains secret, simply becoming a part of the anxious atmosphere. We are constantly reminded of the pervading atmosphere of decay done the resource used in the play. It is a significant point that the ghost, the altogether character that could arguably be termed an outside observer, and who is certainly qualified to polish off some form of prophetic judgement, should be one of the prime sources of imagery of decay, poison and rotting. Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebona in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment . . . . . . doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, the boil down and wholesome blood. So did it mine. And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with deplorable and loathsome crust All my smooth body Act I, Sc. v, 66 - 78 A graphic description, especially since only moments before the ghost had instructed Hamlet non to pity it Throughout the play we can trace a promotion of corruption, that leads to death, through disease in the characters of Polonius, Claudius and Hamlet. Polonius is perhaps the most obviously corrupt character in Hamlet. His corruption has occurred long before the play begins the progression is in the exten t to which it is revealed to us. From this courteous, almost comically long-winded member of the court, emerges a temperament that is first dominating (as he instructs Laertes These few precepts in thy memory/ matter thou character. Act I, Sc. iii, 63), clearly abusive towards Ophelia Affection? Pooh You speak like a green girl, Unsifted in such perilous circumstance,