Betrayal in Hamlet

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In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, betrayal plays a huge role. During the play many characters do not know that they are being watched and almost nothing is private. There are many betrayals in the play, most of which happen towards Hamlet who is the main character. The first Betrayal is what sparks the fire that eventually leads to the deaths of many people, as well as some characters going insane. Hamlet believes the his uncle Claudius who is now the King of Denmark, murdered his father taking both the throne and his mother. This Idea comes to Hamlet when he speaks to a ghost that has been wandering the castle late at night. When Hamlet sees the ghost it beckons him to follow it so they may speak privately. The ghost claims to be the spirit of Hamlet's dead father: “ I am thy father spirit.” ( I.V.10-20). The ghost tells Hamlet that he was killed by Hamlets uncle: “Ay, that incestous, that aldulterate beast, with witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts.” (I.V.43-80). This causes Hamlet to investigate Claudius, trying to find guilt in his face, as well as leading to his hatred towards Claudius. Another betrayal is one that most people would never expects. Hamlets two best friends who he has known since childhood betray him. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern become spies for Claudius telling him about Hamlet while pretending to be his friends after being offered payment: “ If it please you to show us so much gentry and good will, as to expend your time with us a while for the supply and profit of our hope.”(II.II.19-25). Hamlet realises this and when he is sent to England to be executed, he replaces his name on the letters with the names Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He tells Horatio about this, saying that he feels no grief:” so Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to’t. Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience,

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