2003-10-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

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HAMLET ESSAY:

"The Poisoning of Denmark"

In Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Hamlet, five of the main characters die from poisoning. When a human being is poisoned, the toxin works its way through the body, shutting down different parts of the body one by one. The pain is felt as the poison moves through each bodily system. Each character’s death is unique in reflecting his or her life. However, they are all similar because the ways in which the characters live and die illustrate the very nature of poison.

The first murder takes place before the play begins. However, it sparks the beginning of the corruption of Denmark. As the family and close advisors of King Hamlet slowly become corrupted by power, lust, and revenge, the state of the country and royal family deteriorates, much like a body that has been poisoned. Although it was reported that a snake bit the king, he was, in fact, murdered by his own brother. His ghost describes the murder to Hamlet, saying, “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.” Claudius is as evil and cunning as a snake and has managed to poison Hamlet, Sr. like a serpent. The elder Hamlet dies without being able to pray for forgiveness because by the time he realizes he is dying, it is too late. This is symbolic of the fact that Denmark has been “poisoned” by some evil, but no one, not even Hamlet who knows the truth, is able to stop the “poisoning” of Denmark until it is too late.

Gertrude is the next character to be poisoned, when in the last scene of the play, she drinks from a cup of poisoned beverage intended for Hamlet. Her death is unintentional, as the ghost of King Hamlet had warned his son not to harm his mother. He had said, “Leave her to heaven, and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, to prick and sting her.” Hamlet’s father knows that Gertrude has been corrupted and “stung” by the “thorns” of Claudius’s lustful power over her. Gertrude is yet another victim led astray by Claudius who gets caught up in the deterioration of Denmark. It is only a matter of time before the poisonous situation destroys her.

After Gertrude dies, Laertes admits Claudius’s whole plot to Hamlet. Hamlet learns that he hasn’t been stabbed with any ordinary sword, but a poison-tipped one. With his death impending, Hamlet knows that he must act quickly to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet, shouting, “Then, venom, to thy work!” ends his procrastination and plunges the sword into King Claudius. As the only weapon handy, the poison-tipped sword is the perfect means of killing Claudius. Claudius has poisoned others, and it is only fitting that he die in the same manner.

Laertes dies mere moments after Claudius. Laertes dies from poisoning because the last few days of his existence have been lived in a toxic atmosphere. Claudius’s venomous nature preys on the emotionally vulnerable Laertes, who loses his father and sister in a short period of time. Claudius’s venom has stung Laertes, infecting him with a vengeful rage that makes him agree to help the king kill Hamlet. His death is brought on by his participation in Claudius’s evil plot. He was poisoned accidentally, after he and Hamlet switched swords during their duel, and Laertes was stabbed with the poison-tipped sword. Hamlet has killed his father and contributed to his sister Ophelia’s madness and eventual death. Therefore, it is only appropriate that Hamlet kill Laertes as well.

After reconciling with the dying Laertes, Hamlet falls and eventually dies. Throughout the play, Hamlet is slow to act on the knowledge that he must kill Claudius to avenge his father’s death. Because of this, Hamlet’s death cannot be quick and instantaneous. A relatively slow death like poisoning reflects Hamlet’s life. In addition, Hamlet’s last spoken word, “silence,” is fitting. His mind, which has been plagued by the insidious and poisonous thoughts of suicide, can finally rest. Hamlet’s death brings calm and peace to his soul, as well as the troubled Denmark.

After the poisoning death of King Hamlet, a mysterious “poison” works its way through the royal family and court of Denmark. The people become corrupted and their country is on the brink of war with Norway. Hamlet’s death ends the poisoning of Denmark, and allows life to return to normal. Because no member of royal family has survived, the threat of war is diminished as Fortinbras declares that he will reclaim his land and take control of Denmark. The poison has worked its way through Denmark, ended in Hamlet’s death, and returned balance to society.

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