Hamlet Betrayed :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Hamlet Betrayed Many things contribute to the fact that Hamlet gets himself in trouble. It is not Hamlet’s poor attitude that gets him in trouble, but the way he over analyzes every situation and event. The first thing is when the ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him about his uncle’s betrayal towards him. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spy on him, which makes Hamlet examine their every move. Polonius sets up deceiving and devious plans toward Hamlet, making him act mad. Hamlet’s Mom, Gertrude, displeases Hamlet by marrying Claudius so quickly after his father’s so called "accidental death". Hamlet does not know how to deal with this situation, so he thinks about what to do for many weeks. To deal with all of the problems, Hamlet decides to put on his "antic disposition" to fool those around him. In this essay I will investigate the behavior and the actions that the Ghost, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Polonius, Laertes, and Gertrude do, to make Hamlet acted the way he does. Hamlet is in shock when he is told his father has died. He has no reason but to believe that his death was accidental, until he speaks with the ghost of his father. He believes the appearance of the ghost raises a suspicious question about his death. "My father’s spirit- in arms! All is not well" (I;ii;255-256). The ghost explains to Hamlet that Claudius murdered him and that he would like Hamlet to avenge his death. "Revenge his foul most unnatural murder" (I;v;75). The ghost also tells Hamlet that Claudius has seduced Gertrude. He says that Hamlet is not to take action against his mother. " Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, to prick and sting her" (I;v’84-87). But Hamlet does not follow that order. He intends to ask his mother if she has betrayed his father. "Soft, now to my mother, O’heart, lose not thy nature, lot not ever the soul of Nero enter this firm bo som" (III;ii;362-364). Hamlet gets into a big argument with Gertrude and ends up killing Polonius, thinking it was Claudius behind the curtain. Hamlet defends himself by telling his mother what he did, is no less terrible than her marrying Claudius. "A bloody deed almost as bad, good mother, as killing a king, and marry with his brother" (III;iv;29-30).