The Theme Of Trust And Communication In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Relationships are built off a balance of trust and communication. As soon as one end fails, the other one will hit the ground as well, causing the relationship to crumble into a pit of distrust and despair. In a family perspective, through the traumatic divorce and remarriage, sometimes the children will not agree with the new step-father, allowing for the scale to tip and the relationship ruined. This balancing of the scales breaks in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” between Claudius—the murderous stepfather who only cares for his well-being—and Hamlet—the vengeful son feeling as if the whole world is against him—during the progression of the play. Shakespeare conveys this hostile and vitriolic relationship through language that invokes Hamlet’s

As Hamlet learns the true intentions of Claudius, any inkling of trust that he had for him has been thrown out the window like a garbage bag on the side of the highway; he shrieks, “O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! My tables – meet it is I set it down,” (I,iv,106-107) into the night. This discovery destroys any feelings Hamlet has left for Claudius which causes the relationship to lean towards the hostile side as Hamlet plots ways to assassinate Claudius. Shakespeare uses the single words separated by commas to add to Hamlet’s rage, showing that Hamlet’s judgment is blinded by his white-hot rage, so he makes short remarks which express his rage. He then plans to validate the ghost’s confessions through setting up a play that simulates the death of King Hamlet to get a reaction from Claudius (III,ii,40-72). When Claudius sees that scene, he bolts out of the room shrewdly yelling, “Give me some light. Away!” (III,ii,235), fearing that people may know about his treasonous act. Shakespeare writes using short sentences to show that Claudius is antsy and has his mind running on other things besides the play, proving his guilt. This is the tipping point for Claudius’ trust in the relationship. As of right now, he has no reason to distrust Hamlet, but with him suspecting Hamlet knows about what he did to King Hamlet Claudius ends all possible ties with

Hamlet when speaking to his mother exclaims that Claudius is a, “Monster custom who all sense doth eat of habits devil,” (III, iv,167-168). Adding the words, “monster,” and, “devil,” Shakespeare highlights how vile Hamlet believes Claudius to be. This acidic depiction of Claudius reveals Hamlet’s true rage about his father’s death which will ultimately be the cause of Claudius’ death. For the relationship, Hamlet’s rage tears it apart; any preexisting love for one another has been depleted by animosity. This vitriolic relationship will cause the demise of both people which points to Shakespeare’s idea that distrust in relationships ultimately leads to demise. On the other hand, Claudius, viewing Hamlet as a threat, plots a way to kill Hamlet that way, “no wind of blame shall breathe,” (IV, vii,65). Claudius wants nothing to do with the death of his step-son because he already has blood on his hands, so he prods his puppet, Laertes, to kill Hamlet for him. Shakespeare was insightful to phrase Claudius’ comment because it portrays that nothing and no one will ever hear about the true cause of the death of Hamlet. At this point in the play, it is safe enough to say that Hamlet and Claudius are sworn enemies due to the way they speak of each other and premeditate one another’s