The Importance of Maintaining Moral Order as it Relates to...

The Importance of Maintaining Moral Order as it Relates to Hamlet by William Shakespeares Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. (Hamlet. 1.4, l.90) In every society a distinctive hierarchy or organization of power exists. In the Shakespearean world, life is kept constant through the maintenance of the Great Chain of Being or moral order. Any disruption in this chain is believed to cause chaos in society. In William Shakespeares Hamlet, Denmark is thrown into chaos by the reckless actions of several characters that fail to follow the moral order. Hamlet is instructed by the ghost of his beloved father to restore order to Denmark and seek revenge on Claudius, the present king of Denmark and murderer of his father. By†¦show more content†¦Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are to have met Hamlet at school and become quite close. However, these characters are quick to turn on their friend and work for the king. They are false friends who are sent by Gertrude and Claudius to discover what is wrong with their son. Their knowledge is superficial and their int elligence mediocre, so they are easily outwitted by Hamlet. They are fools, rather than knaves and their immoral and despicable work for the king behind Hamlets back adds to the disorder in Denmark. At the beginning of the play there are many political and legal matters that contribute to Denmarks chaos. The preparation for the expected battle with Fortinbras adds to the prime thematic idea of revenge that occurs within the play. The marriage of Queen Gertrude to her past husbands brother seems unusual as well. Hamlets despair stems from his mothers marriage to his uncle and it is this that is the driving force behind his yearning to set things right. By custom, Gertrude should have mourned her royal husband for at least one year before remarrying. However, she remarried with most wicked speed. (Hamlet. 1.2, l.156) She has, furthermore, married within the bounds of an incestuous relationship, making it evident to the reader that Denmark is in a state of disorder. Also, Hamle t has been cheated out of his rightful inheritance and he is naturally indignant at being compelled to live in the hated surroundings of the court.Show MoreRelatedAN ANALYSIS PAPER ON ANTON CHEKHOV’S THE SEAGULL AND THE CHERRY ORCHARD12092 Words   |  49 PagesSocial Standpoints 3.3.2 Ideologem of Loss 3.3.3 Relation of Russian and American Literature 4. Questions for Analysis 4.1 How do the literary works teach about morality? 4.2 What is the prevailing idea shown in the story? How can the readers relate to it? 4.3 If you were to provide an alternative ending to your chosen story, how would you end it? Why? 4.4 How do these literary works adhere to the 7 literary standards? Explain.