Shakespeare's Hamlet

Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy, Hamlet, confronts its audience with issues and experiences universal to the human condition, thus allowing audiences, even in the 21st century, to show their care and empathy for the issues raised. One reason for this could be Shakespeare’s ambiguity. Seen as one of his most frustrating qualities, it could also be his greatest strength as his tragic plays can and have been interpreted in a variety of contexts. Within Hamlet the characters experience revenge, corruption and the complexity of action and events and issues relevant to today, thus ensuring the ongoing appeal of the text.
Shakespeare has based his play around the issue of corruption. By Claudius committing fratricide, regicide and incest, his behaviour is responsible for the corruption of the entire state. Also, his relationship with Gertrude, which particularly upsets Hamlet, exemplifies the corruption in Denmark.
‘My uncle-father and aunt-mother.’ Hamlet, act 2 scene 2 lines 361 – 362
This brings not only corruption, but the taint of sexual infidelity and incest into the court of Denmark. The early renaissance belief that the health of a nation relied solely upon the legitimacy of its’ King is emphasised by the fact that Polonius, Laertes, Ophelia, Rosencrants and Guildenstern all lose their moral compass whilst doing the bidding of Claudius. Claudius’ legitimacy was therefore questioned by everyone, even those who did not know of his fratricide and regicide. Those who did not know could sense the corruption in Denmark however.
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” Marcellus Act 1 Scene 4 line 90
Representing the worries of the general population as the state prepares for war, and the corruption emanating from the centre of the court. It can also be argued that Hamlet too was corrupted whilst on his quest for revenge on his father’s behalf, set by the ghost of his father.
“I am thy father’s spirit…. If thou didst ever thy dear father love—“ Ghost act 1 scene...