Imagery of Disease in Hamlet by William Shakespeare
The disease imagery in Hamlet serves to constantly remind the reader of the initial problem in
the play: King Hamlet's poisoning by his brother. After hearing his father graphically describe
the murder, it is constantly on Hamlet's mind. For this reason, many of the images that Hamlet
creates in the play are connected with disease and poison. The literal poisoning becomes
symbolic of the rest of the events of the play. Remember that poisoning through the ear can be
taken literally or figuratively (through speech and lies). Look at Polonius's conversation with
Ophelia about Hamlet, Claudius' lies to Laertes and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. There are
examples of decay imagery throughout the play. This is all shown in "Something is rotten in the
state of Denmark." These images of decay, disease, rankness, rot, and ulcers constantly pop
up in the play. The idea of an ulcer that is constantly infecing and eating the body is also
prevelant. Check out I.iv.23-38, II.ii.181, II.ii.250, II.ii.504. "The dram of eale doth all the
noble substance of a doubt to his own scandal" "That for some vicious mole of nature in them.
Rosencranz's "The cess of majesty..." Iv.iii "A certain convocation of politic worms..."
III.iv.144-9 "It will but skin a film the ulcerous place..." The images of disease all refer to the
rottenness of court or the sin of Claudius & Gertrude. Finally check out W.H. Clemen's "The
Development of Shakespeare's Imagery." It is a great resource. Hope that helped!
C. Watts ed., Hamlet, Harvester New Critical Introductions to Shakespeare (New York:
Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1988).
S. Wofford ed., Hamlet (Boston, Mass.: Bedford Books, 1994) with ac...
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circumstance and treachery against which they have struggled, and into which they have been
entangled. Hamlet himself cannot not rule. He, too, has become corrupted, not in mind, but in
history, by becoming the focus of the ancient revenger's dilemma. Not taking revenge will reduce
him and make him unfit for rule by his own standards... and taking revenge will do the same. Any
action is morally dubious. Though Hamlet still maintains our sympathy at the end of the play, he
has murdered five people and caused the suicide of one. But Hamlet can still decide Denmark's
future, by effectively appointing a successor. Thus, the corruption dies with him; all the inevitable
justice is carried out; and Hamlet's legacy remains. From a morally dubious situation, Hamlet is
able to wrest an honorable death, and the chance of stability for the future of his country.
Within ‘Hamlet’, Shakespeare makes a number of references to Denmark's degraded state due to the deceit that lies within. These references are made by Hamlet, Horatio as well as the apparition, thus enforcing the strong theme of death, decay and disease.
The morality of the hero also plays a key role in the nature of his heroism. Hamlet holds himself to high moral standards and ethics. “We, the ...
Hamlet is a menagerie of confusion, and documents a bloody struggle to gain power in Denmark. Though certain characters, such as Hamlet or Claudius, are more involved in said struggle, lesser characters could have potentially play a vital role in the perpetuation of the action of the play, mainly the murder of King Hamlet. Large amounts of speculation surround this death, as little concrete evidence exists to shed light on the true identity of the killer. Said confusion allows one to explore the roles potentially played by various characters in this virulent homicide, especially those of more obscure characters, such as Queen Gertrude. Due to the confusion surrounding
West, Rebecca. “A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption.” Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Court and the Castle. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1957.
Allusions to illness and disease weave into every scene of the play, and can be found referenced
Throughout Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, the revelation of Claudius’ betrayal of the late King Hamlet becomes the causation of a slippery slope of events that revolve around a revenge on Claudius for his betrayal against the late King. Consequently, this key act of betrayal forms the plays overall theme of revenge while also showing the connection between power and corruption and the idea that ‘”what goes around, comes around.”
particularly in the Hamlet. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare uses disease imagery to describe the leadership of Denmark, and how. corruption has infected the kingdom. Similarly, Shakespeare compares how an untreated infection can spread to the ones least expected to be. infected.
Manning, John. "Symbola and Emblemata in Hamlet." New Essays on Hamlet. Ed. Mark Thornton Burnett and John Manning. New York: AMS Press, 1994. 11-18.
Considered to be one of the most famous playwrights written in the history of English literature, Hamlet is no doubt a complex play and far from being easy to decipher. The protagonist finds himself entangled within a slew of different predicaments ranging from love, incest, death, murder, and even touches upon the spiritual world when his father’s apparition presents himself with the task of avenging his death. How he goes about handling all of these difficulties has been a debate for decades and continues to baffle even the greatest minds today. However, in order for Hamlet to uncover the truth and fulfill the task he is given, he must put on an act of madness in which the other characters mistake him to have truly lost his mind. While he
William Shakespeare found that imagery was a useful tool to give his works greater impact and hidden meaning. In Hamlet, Shakespeare used imagery to present ideas about the atmosphere, Hamlet's character, and the major theme of the play. He used imagery of decay to give the reader a feel of the changing atmosphere. He used imagery of disease to hint how some of the different characters perceived Hamlet as he put on his "antic disposition". And finally, he used imagery of poison to emphasize the main theme of the play; everybody receives rightful retribution in the end.
In Hamlet, imagery of disease, poison and decay, are used by Shakespeare for a purpose. The descriptions of disease, poison, and decay help us understand the bitter relationships that exist in the play and Hamlet’s own cynicism. We see Hamlet’s pessimism in his soliloquy when he contemplates suicide. The resentful relationship that exists between Claudius and Hamlet is heightened with the use of imagery when Claudius asks about Polonius. Imagery enhances Claudius’ abhorrence of Hamlet. Shakespeare uses imagery in this play to deepen our understanding of the emotions experienced.
In Hamlet Shakespeare is able to use revenge in an extremely skillful way that gives us such deep insight into the characters. It is an excellent play that truly shows the complexity of humans. You can see in Hamlet how the characters are willing to sacrifice t...
The imagery in the play of Hamlet is composed of disease, poison, and decay this adds to the overall atmosphere of horror and tragedy. First, hamlet uses images of disease to show the state of the country of Denmark and his mother. Second, the imagery of poison is used to describe his father’s death. Lastly, Hamlet describes his feelings toward himself and Claudius and his feelings toward his mother by using images of decay. In Hamlet, as in all literature, imagery adds to reader’s ability to imagine the feeling of the story.
From this play we learn of the difficulty associated with taking a life as Hamlet agonises as to how and when he should kill Claudius and furthermore whether he should take his own life. Hamlet being a logical thinker undergoes major moral dilemma as he struggles to make accurate choices. From the internal conflict that the playwright expresses to us it is evident that it can kill someone, firstly mentally then physically. The idea of tragedy is explored in great detail through conflict where the playwright’s main message is brought across to the audience; Shakespeare stresses to his audience the point that conflict be it internal or external it can bring upon the downfall of great people and in turn have them suffer a tragic fate. It is Shakespeare’s aim to show us the complexity of man and that moral decisions are not easily made.
... be overstepping the boundaries of morality. Not only does Hamlet want to kill Claudius, but he also wants to damn his soul. This contrasts greatly with Claudius’ act of murder, which is carried out with no preference for the victim’s afterlife. As a result of Hamlet’s tendency to over-think situations, his mission of vengeance is once again delayed.