How does Shakespeare use Hamlet to explore ideas
about betrayal?
Shakespeare uses idea of betrayal through Hamlet to explore the idea of consequence. The
outcome of each action creates a deteriorating situation, and, through this, Shakespeare
explores revenge in a negative light. Specifically, the betrayal of Claudius sparks Hamlet’s
betrayal of other characters, most significantly Ophelia. Shakespeare also uses themes such
as surveillance and decay to explore this in more detail.
Firstly, the exploration of Claudius’ betrayal within Hamlet highlights the idea of revenge
and consequence as, this action ultimately leads to a number of deaths throughout the play.
Shakespeare hints at Claudius’ betrayal in the first scene through the line there is ‘some
strange eruption to our state’ implying to the audience that something is wrong linking it to
the monarchy through the presence of the ghost that is like ‘the King that is dead.’ This is a
common theme in Shakespeare and speaks of the idea that a king’s unnatural death would
cause disruption to the natural order as it goes against the divine nature of a monarch.
Shakespeare continues this in the first soliloquy when Hamlet compares his life to an
‘unweeded garden…rank and gross in nature’ because of Claudius becoming king. This links
decay to Claudius’ actions and shows that the character of Hamlet feels as though he has
been betrayed. Decay is a repeated motif in connection to succession or Claudius, being
summed up as ‘something is rotten in the state of Denmark.’ This creates a negative
situation in which the audience might feel justified in Hamlet’s attempts at revenge for his
father, however, the consequences are used by Shakespeare to highlight the negative
effects of revenge. This is significant in a time when accusations of witchcraft motivated by
revenge were rife in society, many people lived in fear of being accused by their enemies
and this caused societal tensions and stratification leaving many to believe their society was
decaying. Additionally, the theme of surveillance and the idea that every character is being
watched adds to this idea of a decaying society and creates suspicion between the
characters. The use of a revenge tragedy highlights the consequences of betrayal as the
audience watches these events with a knowledge of some downfall to come. Shakespeare
uses societal concerns about revenge in Hamlet to highlight the consequences of revenge,
significantly through the theme of surveillance and of decay within the state.
about betrayal?
Shakespeare uses idea of betrayal through Hamlet to explore the idea of consequence. The
outcome of each action creates a deteriorating situation, and, through this, Shakespeare
explores revenge in a negative light. Specifically, the betrayal of Claudius sparks Hamlet’s
betrayal of other characters, most significantly Ophelia. Shakespeare also uses themes such
as surveillance and decay to explore this in more detail.
Firstly, the exploration of Claudius’ betrayal within Hamlet highlights the idea of revenge
and consequence as, this action ultimately leads to a number of deaths throughout the play.
Shakespeare hints at Claudius’ betrayal in the first scene through the line there is ‘some
strange eruption to our state’ implying to the audience that something is wrong linking it to
the monarchy through the presence of the ghost that is like ‘the King that is dead.’ This is a
common theme in Shakespeare and speaks of the idea that a king’s unnatural death would
cause disruption to the natural order as it goes against the divine nature of a monarch.
Shakespeare continues this in the first soliloquy when Hamlet compares his life to an
‘unweeded garden…rank and gross in nature’ because of Claudius becoming king. This links
decay to Claudius’ actions and shows that the character of Hamlet feels as though he has
been betrayed. Decay is a repeated motif in connection to succession or Claudius, being
summed up as ‘something is rotten in the state of Denmark.’ This creates a negative
situation in which the audience might feel justified in Hamlet’s attempts at revenge for his
father, however, the consequences are used by Shakespeare to highlight the negative
effects of revenge. This is significant in a time when accusations of witchcraft motivated by
revenge were rife in society, many people lived in fear of being accused by their enemies
and this caused societal tensions and stratification leaving many to believe their society was
decaying. Additionally, the theme of surveillance and the idea that every character is being
watched adds to this idea of a decaying society and creates suspicion between the
characters. The use of a revenge tragedy highlights the consequences of betrayal as the
audience watches these events with a knowledge of some downfall to come. Shakespeare
uses societal concerns about revenge in Hamlet to highlight the consequences of revenge,
significantly through the theme of surveillance and of decay within the state.
