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Decay in Hamlet

In: English and Literature

Submitted By discovery192
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Decay in Hamlet
Decay is defined as “a gradual decline; deterioration,” disease as “any departure from health.” Both have multiple forms: physical, psychological, and social. Numerous examples of illness and deterioration can be found in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In this drama, Shakespeare uses imagery of decay and disease and the emotional and moral decay of his characters to enhance the atmosphere of the play and create a sense of impending doom. For example, in Act I, Laertes uses the analogy of plant disease to convince his sister Ophelia to preserve her virginity:
The canker galls the infants of the spring
Too oft before their buttons be disclosed,
And in the morn and liquid dew of youth
Contagious blastments are most imminent. (I, iii, 43-46)
Furthermore, Hamlet’s description in Act IV of Polonius’ corpse being eaten by worms evokes a strong sense of decay and disgust:
Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. A certain convocation of politic worms are e’en at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet. We fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service -- two dishes, but to one table.
That’s the end. (IV, iii, 22-28)
While references to literal sickness and rottenness are made throughout the play, decay is perceivable in other ways as well.
The characters in Hamlet decay emotionally throughout the play. For example, at the beginning of Hamlet, Queen Gertrude is happy, but her conversation with Hamlet in Act III, his apparent insanity, and his vague hints about her sin torment her until in Act IV she moans miserably:
To my sick soul (as sin’s true nature is),
Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss.
So full of artless jealousy is guilt,
It spills itself in fearing to be spilt. (IV, v, 22-25)
Poor Gertrude has made the pathetic journey from blissful

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