|
|
|
|
|
hamlet
|
|
|
Introduction Thesis: Could Claudius´ unnatural act be the reason for the corruption of the cosmic order and the starting point of corruption in the play? We chose this topic because we think that the interruption of the cosmic order is the trigger for all the most important evevts that will take place in the play. The rupture is represented by the poisoning of King Hamlet at the hands of Claudius. From this unnatural act, corruption will spread at all levels, manifesting itself in all the decisive moments throughout the play. 1. Definition of Cosmic Order The concept of cosmic order is analized in two levels: a) Vertically, as a chain of being. There was a hierarchy ranging from stones to God. Man was the centre of the chain, binding together all creation. He was considered the highest among all the animals and the lowest among the angels, being reason the faculty that set us apart from the animals and brings us close to the angels and God. b) Horizontally, as a set of correspondencies. There were a series of analogies that explained how the universe worked. There were two terms to explain these analogies: macrocosm (big universe) and microcosm (small universe). These terms were relative terms because between these terms there was parallelism.Sometimes the universe as a whole was the macrocosm and the State was the microcosm; sometimes the State was the macrocosm and the man the microcosm; sometimes the universe was the macrocosm and the man the microcosm. Disorder in the macrocosm was reflected by disorder in the microcosm. The cosmic dance is the integration of both, which means that the vertical and the horizontal planes worked together in harmony. If one particle is corrupted, the whole universe may collapse. 2. Claudius 2.1 Description of Claudius Claudius is the present King of Denmark. He is the brother of King Hamlet of Denmark, who was married to Queen Gertrude. After poisoning King Hamlet, Claudius becomes the King of Denmark and takes Queen Gertrude, whom he loves, as his queen and wife, much to the consternation of Prince Hamlet who believes his mother has betrayed him and his father's memory by doing so. The King Claudius is a person who lacks of moral principles. Consequently he is willing to do anything that is at his hands to reach his crooked goals. He is a cunning and calculating thinker who is also capable of manipulating people to suit his own purpose. That is why Claudius is thought as a maquiavelic villain. Claudius´ behaviour is a consequence of his unlimited ambition to obtain the throne and the woman he loves. Therefore he murders his brother, and from that moment on he becomes a slave of his uncontrolled passion. Claudius is the most obvious example of a man who manipulates words to enhance his own power. In Act III, Scene 3, Claudius perceives his soul´s rottenness. Tainted by his brother´s decaying blood, Claudius is trapped by his sin and cannot purge his rank soul. He reveals his inner guilt and the knowledge that he cannot avoid God's judgement of him. However, he cannot ask God to forgive him because he is not prepared to give up the throne and the Queen, which he should to show he is really repented of what he had done. 2.2 Claudius´ unnatural act Claudius starts the deteriorating of Denmark and it slowly seeps down the chain. Following his unmeasured desire of keeping the throne and the queen, Claudius decides to poison his brother, the former king of Denmark. The poisoning of Hamlet's father functions as a major symbol for the moral condition of Denmark. Just as the 'leperous distilment' which Claudius poured into his sleeping brother's ear spread through the latter's body and destroyed the healthy organism from within, corruption spread at all levels in Denmark, contaminating all the environment, even the noblest souls and feelings. This is related to the concept of cosmic order because murder between brothers is foul and unnatural. An unnatural act never occurs by itself because it provokes a chain reaction and so did Claudius´ poisoning of his brother. Claudius´ second unnatural act is him marrying Gertrude, his former sister-in-law, even though his brother had died a short time ago. Claudius fears that Hamlet´s inteligence may uncover the truth behind Denmark´s new king, the truth being that he is a murderer. To Claudius, this threat to his own life and his solid reputation gives him the right to take Hamlet´s life. There are several plots in which Claudius tries to discover the real cause of Hamlet´s behaviour. In order to achieve this, he first has Ophelia spying on Hamlet. Act III , Scene 3 , line 29 Claudius: “For we have … he suffers for.” Then he plots with Polonious in order to convince Gertrude to talk with Hamlet and find out what is really happening. Cautious and suspicious, he also has courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spying on Hamlet for him. Act II, Scene 2, line 10 Claudius: “I entreat you… within our remedy”. Finally, distrustful of Hamlet and his "madness", King Claudius has Hamlet deported to England to be killed when he fears he has become a threat. Act III, Scene 3, line 1 Claudius: “I like him not… along with you” Instead, Hamlet returns to Denmark, and King Claudius manipulates Laertes into killing Hamlet for him. Unfortunately, King Claudius' plan to poison Hamlet backfires, killing his beloved Queen Gertrude instead. Claudius finally dies at the end of the play to the poison tipped sword of Hamlet. 3. The Ghost of King Hamlet Marcellus, Horatio and Barnardo notify Hamlet of a ghost that appears before them, one who looks like King Hamlet. Act I, Scene 1, line 46 Horatio: “What art thou… Did sometimes march?
|
|
|
|
Still Can't Find What Your Looking For? Then Try a Essay Search!
|
