Sarah Berardelli

Miss Skirtich
7 November 2017
English 10: World Literature

Death, Disease, and Decay Faults

A family who restricts one another on who they can communicate with, kill one another,

or contemplate suicide, and distrust causes struggles to live out a normal family expectation.

William Shakespeare, the author of “Hamlet” writes about his fascination with grey aurora and

death. Shakespeare infuses death, disease, and decay in "Hamlet" through innocence, murder,

and distrust.

Shakespeare infuses death, disease, and decay in "Hamlet' through innocence. One

example of innocence appears when Polonius informs Ophelia that she is no longer able to

communicate with Hamlet because he feels that Hamlet lost love for her and struggles to commit

to their relationship. Polonius tells Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet and she agrees, “I shall

obey, my Lord” (I.iii.136). This quote exemplifies innocence because it shows how Ophelia

chooses not to use her voice and stand up to those she cares about deeply to protect her

relationship with Hamlet. This shows how women in Renaissance times, including Ophelia,

remain submissive and do not have their own say in life. Another example of innocence appears

when Hamlet proves to Gertrude that her husband, King Claudius, is the killer of King Hamlet.

Hamlet says, “A bloody deed? Almost as bad, good mother,/As kill a king and marry with his

brother” (III.iiii.29-30) and Gertrude replies with, “As kill a king?” (III.iiii.31) In this quote,

Hamlet explains to Gertrude that Claudius murdered King Hamlet and she married him. This

demonstrates innocence because Gertrude responses to this news cluelessly. These two reasons

show how innocence plays a role in death, disease, and decay.

 Additionally, Shakespeare infuses death, disease, and decay in “Hamlet” through murder.

One example of murder appears in the play “Hamlet” when Hamlet killed Polonius. Before the

murder occurs, Polonius hides behind the tapestry to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude. Hamlet heard

something behind it and assumes Claudius to spy on them, “How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat,

dead!” (III.iiii.24) In this quote, Hamlet questions what appears behind the tapestry by calling

this thing a rat. This exemplifies murder because it becomes one of the major deaths in the play.

This causes things to escalate in the rest of the play. Another example of murder appears when

Ophelia drowns in the willow, but classifies as an act of suicide. At this part of the play

Ophelia’s father, Polonius was just killed and is not in the right mind set. Ophelia’s insanity

causes her to obsess and be fascinated with flowers, making her pick them to make flower

crowns. Ophelia falls into the willow and her dress absorbs the water making it difficult to swim,

but she quiets her cry for help, “As one incapable of her own distress” (IIII.Vii.177). In this

quote, it explains that Ophelia has every ability to scream for help, but chooses not to, classifying

her death as a suicide. Also, Ophelia’s corrupted state of mind causes her to question what

happens when floating in the water. These two reasons show how murder plays a role in death,

disease, and decay.

Lastly, Shakespeare infuses death, disease, and decay in “Hamlet” through distrust. One

example of distrust occurs when Polonius and Claudius spy on Hamlet. Polonius and Claudius

arrange for them to spy to distinguish if Hamlet’s questionable acts come from his love for

Ophelia, “we have closely sent Hamlet hither,/That he, as ‘twere by accident, may here/Affront

Ophelia” (III.i.30-32). In this quote, Polonius and Claudius explain how they plan to listen on

Ophelia and Hamlets conversation. This represents distrust because Hamlet’s family spies on

him to determine his illness, but he remains unaware of their doing until later in the play.
Another example of distrust appears when Hamlet confronts Ophelia about Polonius spying on

them. Hamlet says, “Where’s your father?” (III.1.131) and Ophelia responses with, “At home,

my lord” (III.i.132). In this quote, it assures distrust because Hamlet knows that Ophelia is lying

to him. These two reasons show how distrust plays a role in death, disease, and decay.

In conclusion, Shakespeare infuses death, disease, and decay in “Hamlet” through

innocence, murder, and distrust. These reasons explain why innocence, murder, and distrust are

involved in “Hamlet.” Overall, Hamlet adjusts and concludes that eyes are constantly watching

him by people who he communicates with very little. This relates to today generation because

people struggle to trust one another from social media and two-faced friends or relatives.

Shakespeare uses these motives to keep the reader interested and assume the next big eye-

opening occurrence.