Disease, Sickness, Death, and Decay in Hamlet Essay

Death, Sickness, and Decay in Hamlet Decay is defined as a gradual decline; deterioration, disease as any departure from health. Both have many forms: physical, psychological, social, etc. Multiple examples of illness and deterioration can be found in the tragedy 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. The drama Hamlet abounds with images of decay and disease. Celestial bodies are described in this manner; in Act I Horatio says that the moon Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse, and in Act III, Hamlet says that the moon is thoughtsick at his mothers sin. Abstract ideas such as wealth†¦show more content†¦Most of all, Hamlets description in Act IV of Polonius corpse eaten by worms is a disgusting passage: Not where he eats, but where a is eaten. A certain convocation of politic worms are een 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 are but variable service -- two dishes, but one table. Thats the end. References to sickness and rottenness are made throughout the play, but decay is perceivable in other ways as well. The characters in Hamlet decay emotionally throughout the play. For example, at the beginning of the drama 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 sins 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. Poor Gertrude has made the pathetic journey from blissful ignorance to wretched half-enlightenment, and her peace of mind is totally destroyed. 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