Rotten Words In Hamlet

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There are several words used throughout the novel Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, that emphasize important, foreshadowing ideas about the novel. These words create deeper, hidden meanings behind each character along with their actions. The word that is often used several times throughout the novel is the word “rotten.” This word consists of a much more deeper meaning than just “old,” “spoiled,” and “no good.” In fact, the word rotten is used to emphasize a deeper meaning, showing how corrupt Denmark is, how corrupt each character is, and most importantly how corrupt love is. It is used to show the important concept of not just corpses rotting after death, but the idea that the character of people is rotting during life as well. Hamlet is …show more content…

“Sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me … the serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown” (1.5.43-47). Hamlet being the only one to now know of the corrupt actions of Claudius, he is seeking revenge for his father and by doing so plans to murder Claudius as soon as he gets the chance to do so. Hamlet, talking to himself, exclaims how “remorseless, treacherous, lecherous,” and “kindless” of a person Claudius is along with comparing him, several times, to a “villain” (2.2.607-608). With the “rotten” aspect in mind, the novel descriptively describes how “rotten” Claudius is for not only poisoning and murdering the king, but poisoning and murdering his own brother and taking his wife from him too. Claudius’ character is known as being corrupt, evil, and “rotten” when not only does he take the life away of someone who was blood, but when he takes his own brother’s wife away as well. Hamlet ultimately sees this corruption in his uncle/step-father who he calls Claudius. This “rotten” corruption isn’t just showing the corruption of Claudius’ character but it also shows the corruption and “rotten” aspect of the love between him and his family to. Claudius isn’t just a backstabber, he’s like a walking corpse … rotting but alive. Claudius, not only one that’s corrupt and “rotten,” but one that is “concealing the rot that’s eating [him] from the inside” (3.4). Whilst rank corruption, /mining all within, /Infects unseen”

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