Themes in Hamlet

Themes in Hamlet

1. Death

   • "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether t'is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles". - Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1
   • Gertrude's description of Ophelia's death in Act 4, Scene 7.
   • "The harlot's cheek beautied with plastering art is not more ugly to the thing that helps it" - Claudius, Act 3, Scene 1.
   • "In the corrupt currents of this world, offence's guilded hand may shove by justice"
     • He won't get away with murder in heaven. On Earth, corruption can override justice, in heaven it cannot.
   • "Help, angels make assay"
     • This is a desperate plea to his guardian angel to intercede on his behalf.
   • "O' heavy deed, it has been so with us had we been there"
     • This shows Claudius' pragmatic self interest. He doesn't care about Polonius' murder.
   • Revenger's Tragedy
     • The characters feel no remorse and have no fear of God, whereas in Hamlet, the 'primal eldest curse' is significant. Murder is the ultimate sin and cannot be forgiven.

2. Identity

3. Corruption/Decay

   • Claudius
     • 'So to seduce/Won to his shameful lust. The will of my most seeming virtous Queen' Gertrude seduced before death of King Hamlet.
     • 'The need we have to use you did provoke our hasty sending.'
   • Rosencrantz & Guildenstern
     • 'Both your majesties might by the sovereign power you have of us put your dread pleasures dread pleasures more into command than to entreaty.'
     • 'But we both obey and here give up ourselves in the full bent to lay are service freely at your feet to be commanded.'