Disease, Decay and Poison in Hamlet Essay

William Shakespe bes critical point has been considered the greatest tragedy to have invariably been written, in which the theme of malady, corrupt and poison is embedded deep at bottom the well-kn admit secret plan of the acquire. Such theme is developed through the actions, dialogues and metonymic language of the characters. These morbid scopes that are incorporated non unaccompanied care the audience in attaining Hamlets straightforward emotion, barely also scat a noteworthy voice in characterization, plot development and nonliteral contentedness of the play.Ideas about demolition and physical declivity constantly take place in much of the imagery in Hamlet not only in order to depict the character development and convey Hamlets true emotions to the audience, but also to serve as a parableical message on a larger scale. For instance, the imagery of decay is utilized to ease comprehend the depression Hamlet feels in his first soliloquy about suicide O that this too sullied flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew (I.ii 129-130), followed by his comparison of the creative activity to an unweeded garden. This is the first time that Hamlet unleashes his thoughts on the website and creates a visualization of death. Hamlet thus communicates with the audience putting operose emphasis on his desire not to exist in this world anymore. An image of Hamlets flesh rotting is produced, followed by a picture of a beautiful garden corrupted by disastrous weeds that bequeath destroy the good life.At this moment the audience can grasp Hamlets true emotions as they are able to feel the pain and his suffer for death. Thus, the real imagery about the way Hamlet feels is brought forth. Furthermore, when Laertes comes to the castle to kick the bucket information on his fathers murder, the hysterical Ophelia pretends to give him different flowers that represent something, but when she comes to the violets, which resembles faithfulness, sh e says that they have all withered when my father died (IV.v 182). In this quote, the imagery of decay is present because both her father and the flowers have died.This quote is significant to the play as a livelong as it is a metaphorical image of corruption and moral decay plaguing not only the characters, but the whole area of Denmark as well, thus foreshadowing the eventual collapse of the nation. This metaphor once again appears in the dialogue when Marcellus enunciates Something is rotten in the convey of Denmark (I.iv. 100), thus foreshadowing the corrupt nature of Denmark leading to the breakdown of the imperial family. Therefore,Shakespeares references to death and decay clearly reveal Hamlets desperate state of mind, at the same time serving as a political metaphor which implies that the whole state is rotting.Another significant recurring image throughout Hamlet is poison., which plays a significant persona in plot development. Poison is also an cardinal theme in t he play, which is the main instrument of death. A seminal death image, which brings about the first and most important murder in the play, is the toxic condition of centenarian Hamlet, directed deliberately by his uncle as he lies quiescence in his orchard. Sleeping within my orchard, my custom always of the afternoon, upon my secure hr thy uncle stole, with juice of cursed hebona in a vial, and in the porches of my ears did pour the leprous distilment, whose effect holds such an enmity with blood of man that swift as quicksilver it courses through the natural gates and alleys of the body (I.v. 66-75)The audiences thus spiel into poison when we learn about the death of queer Hamlet, who was killed by his buddy pouring poison into his ear. The mention of poison holds a great core of significance as it is used as a device that leads Hamlet to contemplate revenge upon Claudius. During the players reenactment of the crime in the later plot, the poison poured into Old Hamlets ear reappears. The recurring imagery of poison can be interpret as a metaphorical message throughout the play as poison is organism poured into ears in the form of gossip, suggestions of revenge, slander, evil thoughts that spreads cast offness and disease upon the entire court of Denmark.Here, thou incestuous, murdrous, damned Dane, drink off this potion come out my mother (V, 11, 302-304). Eventually, Hamlet mom Gertrude is killed by a poisonous drink, which is followed by Hamlet, Claudius, Laertes who are also killed by the poisonous rapier. The use of irony and retaliatory plainlyice in the play becomes apparent when Claudius uses poison to kill King Hamlet and in the end, the same poison kills him, as well as his wife, Laertes and Hamlet. After all, it is the use of poison that starts the story and unravels the denouement, thus possessing an important role in plot development.The somber and dark images of illness and disease are constantly brought up in Hamlet, and shadow th e corruption pervading the recent and prospective eventsof the castle. Throughout such images, Shakespeare succeeds in creating an atmosphere of cold and desolated darkness. Early in the first scene, when Francisco and Barnardo are standing watch, Francisco says Tis better cold, and I am sick at heart? (I.i.8-9). Franciscos sickness foreshadows the sickness which is entering Denmark. The sickness in Denmark continues when Horatio is contemplating the reasons for the ghosts appearance. Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse? (I.i.132). Horatio is describing the conditions in Rome just before the murder of Julius Caesar and he believes that the appearance of the Ghost is a vaticination to Denmark, as the sick moon was a portent to Rome. These quotes are significant because they create an ominous atmosphere for the entire play.In Hamlets first soliloquy, he says Things rank and gross in nature, possess it merely? (I.ii.140-141). Hamlet ostensibly feels that the whole world is dise ased. The sickness motif plays a significant role in the characterization of Hamlet, as it is extended with questions of Hamlets mental health as the story progresses. Hamlets dialogues related sickness and disease throughout the play reflects not only the outward condition which causes Hamlets spiritual illness, but also his own state. Indeed, the shock of the discovery of his fathers murder and the sight of his mothers conduct have had a traumatic effect on Hamlet to the extent that when the play opens he has already begun to die internally, as all the springs of life are being gradually infected. Therefore, it is necessary to notice the repetitive use of phrases related to sickness and disease in the dialogues, for it creates an ominous atmosphere throughout the play and come on aids in the character development of Hamlet.In conclusion, the theme of disease, decay and poison is important throughout the play as it is incorporated with the point of revealing Hamlets state of mind , conveying political messages, and adding greater significant to the plot development and characterization. Shakespeare successfully achieved his goal through utilizing the dominant theme of the play. As a result, the play has been making a long-lasting impression on the audiences.Bibliographyhttp//everything2.com/index.pl?node=Hamlethttp//www.azete.com/preview/7098www.ibiblio.org/schools/rls/garner/britishlit/hamlet.pdf