Betrayal in Hamlet

The plot of the play is based on political life, social life, morality, metaphysical poetry, the character of personalities, religious obligations and personal obligations. Hamlet, being the main character and protagonist of the play stands as the most admirable character in the play. As the protagonist, his role is arguably rich in terms of content, themes, and characteristics. There are many other characters in the play, including Gertrude, Claudius and hamlet’s two close friends; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. One of the most researched themes of the play is the theme of betrayal. Hamlet’s suspicions are confirmed when his father’s ghost visits him and confirms that he had been poisoned by Claudius (Shakespeare 23). The ghost asks Hamlet to seek revenge and justice.

Hamlet fakes madness as a camouflage in order to observe interactions in the palace. He, however, finds himself doubting the sincerity of the ghost as he is confused by his observations. He comes up with an idea to stage a controversial play called The Murder of Gonzagoto. He had previously alliance with Claudius to kill Hamlet. In the middle of the fight, he drops his poisoned sword; hamlet picks it up and cuts him with it. Before he dies, Chamberlain points out to Hamlet that he too would die since he had been cut with the poisoned sword (Mantiri et al. Gertrude, the queen had been watching the fight and on seeing that her son was winning, had drunk a toast from the poisoned cup that Claudius had intended for Hamlet, in case he won on the fight.

She dies on the spot. “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw’’ (Akhtar, et al. Additionally, he couriers his discontentment with Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to his mother, in scene 4, Act III, by saying; “I shall never trust Guildenstern and Rosencrantz as I will adders. ” This declaration confirms his firm stance and understanding that the two no longer have his interest at heart; hence, admitting that they would not hesitate from betraying him again, given a chance. The duo betrays hamlet again when they agree to be sent with a letter to England by Claudius. Despite being well aware that the letter includes an instruction to execute Hamlet as soon as he arrives in England, they choose not to tell him and instead, lead him to his grave.

Conspiring with a lover to kill a husband may be the worst form of betrayal. Although Gertrude did not commit the murder herself, it is apparent that she was part of the plan and that she had approved it (Akhtar 65). In doing so, she had deprived Denmark off her king and hamlet off his father. The dead king had obviously trusted the queen with his life. The people of Denmark had trusted her with their king and hamlet had trusted her to keep his father safe. She readily tells her father everything she knows about hamlet, her lover. This is definitely an act of betrayal. As a lover, Hamlet had trusted her with all his secrets and personal information. He did not expect her to tell anybody including her father (Jafarova, 51).