Blog Post #17: Hamlet Blog 6

Prompt: Works of literature often depict acts of betrayal. Friends and even family may betray a protagonist; main characters may likewise be guilty of treachery or may betray their own values. Select a novel or play that includes such acts of betrayal. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze the nature of the betrayal and show how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.

I have read and understand the sections in the Student Handbook regarding Mason High School's Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I am certifying that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act, which could include a "0" on the paper, as well as an "F" as a final grade in the course. Digital signature: John Howard

 Betrayal: Hamlet Literary Analysis

 Whether it was Marcus Brutus over 2000 years ago or brother Fredo in The Godfather Part II, betrayal is a common theme in some of the most famous classic texts. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, King Claudius betrays his kingdom by killing his brother to gain access to the throne. This one single act of betrayal by the King gives the entire play its plot and meaning by plunging Prince Hamlet into madness. The exposition of the play gives the betrayal an even greater effect. The story begins with Bernardo, a castle guard, questioning another guard named Francisco about his post. Bernardo’s question of “Who’s there?” (1.1.1) demonstrates the lack of trust that is already pervading Denmark. A castle guard would not question a fellow castle guard if the circumstances were normal. In addition to the lack of trust, at this time the King has just been killed, neighboring army is preparing to invade, and Hamlet’s father has returned as a ghost. It is when Hamlet Sr.’s ghost returns to Hamlet that the effect of the betrayal can truly be seen. After Horatio sees the ghost and reports his experience to Hamlet, the ghost beckons Hamlet and explains to him what has occurred. Hamlet Sr. explains that Hamlet is to “revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.2.25), going on share how “that incestuous, adulterate beast [King Claudius]” (1.2.42) has committed the act of betrayal by poisoning and subsequently murdering Hamlet Sr. The explanation of his murder is the catalyst that will eventually drive Hamlet’s descent into madness. Hamlet’s famous “to be or not to be” soliloquy is the first glimpse we get into our protagonist’s descent into madness after the betrayal takes its toll on him. He goes as far as to mention “for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil,” (3.1.66-67), explaining his thoughts about potential suicide. However, he opts out of that option and instead decides to plan a scheme in which he will trick Claudius into revealing his act of murder. The betrayal advances the plot by influencing Hamlet into making decisions beyond the point of rationality. The betrayal advances the tragedy’s plot up until the final lines, with Hamlet becoming more irrational in his decision making until the resolution arrives with the death of just about every major character. Without Claudius’s betrayal the play would have had essentially no plot. Just as Claudius poisons his brother’s blood to gain the throne, Claudius also symbolically poisons Hamlet’s blood as well, filling him with rage and a desire for revenge that ends in tragedy.