Corruption in Hamlet :: Essays on Shakespeare Hamlet

Corruption in crossroads An incidental comment from a minor character lays down, in the source moments of Shakespe ares Hamlet, the theme which is to pin together all its aspects. Francisco the guard says, I am honk at heart. Act I. Sc. I, 29. Franciscos sick melancholy is in keeping with the atmosphere of rottenness and decay which permeates the victimize unexplained, difficult to define, but with a clear dower of dread. And, typically, his expression of misgivings is misinterpreted, mayhap even underestimated. Barnardo, seeking palpable reasons for Franciscos distraction, asks whether Francisco has had a good-tempered watch. Perhaps he wonders if the ghost has disturbed Francisco, but whatever is hurt Franciso remains secret, simply becoming a part of the anxious atmosphere. We are constantly reminded of the pervading atmosphere of decay through the imagery used in the play. It is a significant point that the ghost, the further character that could arguably be termed a n outside observer, and who is certainly qualified to make some form of sibyllic judgement, should be one of the prime sources of imagery of decay, poison and rotting. Upon my secure bit thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebona in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did shoot The leperous distilment . . . . . . doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, the thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine. And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust alone my smooth body Act I, Sc. v, 66 - 78 A graphic description, especially since only moments before the ghost had instructed Hamlet not to pity it Throughout the play we can trace a progression 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 abundant before the play begins the progression is in the extent to which it is reve aled to us. From this courteous, almost comically long-winded member of the court, emerges a personality that is first dominating (as he instructs Laertes These few precepts in thy memory/ Look thou character. Act I, Sc. iii, 63), clearly scurrilous towards Ophelia Affection? Pooh You speak like a green girl, Unsifted in much(prenominal) perilous circumstance,