Exploring Corruption and Truth in Shakespeare's Hamlet

William Shakespeare's Hamlet unfolds as a profound exploration of the interconnections between the well-being of the royal family and the overall health of the state. The early scenes of the play delve into the palpable anxiety and foreboding surrounding the transfer of power from one ruler to the next. Characters within the narrative explicitly draw connections between the moral legitimacy of a ruler and the prosperity of the nation. The imagery of Denmark as a diseased physical body, afflicted by the moral corruption of Claudius and Gertrude, permeates the play.

The spectral presence of King Hamlet serves as a supernatural omen, signaling that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark." The deceased king is portrayed as a stalwart and principled leader, while Claudius, a Machiavellian politician, taints and compromises Denmark for his selfish desires.

The Struggle for Truth: Hamlet's Descent into Disillusionment

Hamlet grapples with disillusionment, depression, and despair as he attempts to reconcile with his father's death and his mother's incestuous marriage to his uncle.

Get quality help now

Bella Hamilton

Verified writer

Proficient in: Corruption

5 (234)

“ Very organized ,I enjoyed and Loved every bit of our professional interaction ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Throughout the play, Hamlet's journey involves unraveling the truth hidden within Elsinore, exposed by the apparition of his late father. The dichotomy of deception versus truth and illusion versus reality becomes a recurring theme in Hamlet's introspections. Act 2, Scene 2 stands out as an exception, where an ostensibly "honest" conversation transpires between Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Through the use of prose and figurative language, Shakespeare employs this passage to elucidate Hamlet's worldview regarding the cosmos and humanity.

Addressing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet implores them to speak truthfully about the purpose of their arrival.

In an unexpected turn, the bumbling duo inadvertently discloses the King and Queen's instructions, allowing truth to prevail momentarily. The motif of corruption resurfaces in this passage, mirroring the pervasive internal decay within the state of Denmark, exemplified by murder and incest. Shakespeare implies that the entire state is "soiled," leading to dire consequences on a grand scale. Hamlet's metaphor of an "unweeded garden" reinforces his perception of a world that has become empty, lifeless, and diseased, entrapping him in isolation.

The Quest for Truth and the Loss of Faith in Humanity

Hamlet's search for truth within individuals proves futile, as he encounters deceit and lust in Claudius, mindless foolishness in Polonius, and idiocy in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. His disillusionment extends to a loss of faith in humanity, rooted in the understanding that wickedness lurks beneath the surface calm promoted by Claudius. Drawing on biblical ideas, Hamlet redefines the position of man as merely "that which came from dust," asserting that only God embodies truth. Hamlet concludes that while Claudius and others' actions can be accounted for, they remain unforgivable. Claudius, the embodiment of corruption in the play, stands as Hamlet's primary antagonist—a shrewd, lustful, and conniving king.

This loss of enthusiasm and faith in man also stems from the fact that he knows there is more wickedness brewing under the superficial surface of calm that Claudius is trying to promote. As a culmination of all these factors, Hamlet loses all faith in man and using biblical ideas Hamlet redefines the position of man as simply "that which came from dust". From this stance, it is inferred that solely God is Truth. Man, coming from the lowly earth, cannot be depended upon to deliver true thoughts, as his source of origin itself is impure. Through this, Hamlets concludes that Claudius' actions and others' actions can be accounted for but not forgiven. Claudius is corruption personified within the play, Hamlet's major antagonist is a shrewd, lustful, conniving king who contrasts sharply with the other male characters in the play.

Claudius: Corruption Personified

While other male characters in Hamlet grapple with justice, revenge, and moral balance, Claudius is consumed by the pursuit of power. Unlike the stern warrior that the late King Hamlet was reputed to be, Claudius emerges as a corrupt politician adept at manipulating others through his eloquence. His speech is likened to poison poured in the ear, mirroring the method he employed to murder Hamlet's father. Despite a potentially sincere love for Gertrude, Claudius's marriage to her appears strategic—a means to secure the throne against Hamlet's claim after the king's death.

As the narrative unfolds, Claudius's escalating fear of Hamlet's supposed insanity leads to heightened self-preoccupation. When Gertrude informs him of Hamlet's killing of Polonius, Claudius shows no concern for her safety but worries only about the danger he might have faced had he been in the room. Ultimately, Claudius's cunning proves to be his downfall. His insistence on a third method of Hamlet's potential demise, involving a poisoned goblet, leads to Gertrude's accidental death. Hamlet, finally overcoming his reluctance, slays Claudius, revealing the king's cowardice and corrupt nature.

Conclusion: The Tragic Unraveling of Truth and Corruption

Shakespeare's Hamlet intricately weaves a tapestry of corruption and truth, exploring their profound impact on both individuals and the state. The play navigates the disillusionment of its protagonist, Hamlet, as he confronts a world tainted by deception and moral decay. Through vivid imagery and thematic depth, Shakespeare delves into the consequences of political corruption on the broader societal fabric. The tragic unfolding of events culminates in Hamlet's ultimate act of justice, exposing the corruptive nature of power and the ephemeral nature of truth within the confines of Elsinore.

The recurring motif of corruption also appears in the passage. Due to the wicked internal proceedings in the state of Denmark (e.g. murder, incest), Shakespeare implies that the whole state is "soiled", which in turn has a direct negative consequence in the grand scheme of things. Imagery of rank plants is used to enforce and convey this view by replacing the image of the traditional "aesthetically correct" beautiful flowers in a garden.

'Tis an unweeded garden that grows
to seed. Things rank and gross in nature
possess it merely.

Those lines represent Hamlet's views on the corruption that is taking place at Elsinore, on how the world, to him, has become empty and lifeless, dirty and diseased, and his place in the world to be entrapped and isolated. He describes the land in which he lives as,

A goodly one, in which there are many confines,
wards, and dungeons, Denmark being one o' th' worst.

Shakespeare's Hamlet, with its intricate exploration of corruption and truth, stands as a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences, inviting reflection on the human condition and the consequences of unchecked political machinations. The characters' struggles with deception, the decay of moral values, and the quest for genuine truth resonate across centuries, making Hamlet a testament to the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's insights into the complexities of the human psyche and societal structures.