Power And Corruption In Hamlet

Corruption Where there is corruption, there is dishonest and wrongdoing being conducted. In this tragedy play Hamlet, William Shakespeare uses King Claudius by revealing how power can lead to corruption.

He does this by revealing King Claudius as the murderer of his own brother, and to tries to cover up his crime by trying to kill Hamlet but ends up killing Queen Gertrude and was later poisoned by Hamlet hand. In the book Hamlet, in Act three Scene three King Claudius reveals to the reader of his guilt of his brother “ It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t a brother’s murder! Pray can I not, through inclination be as sharp as will” (p. 170). At this point King Claudius is feeling frustrated with his surroundings that he is disappointed

By doing this he ropes in Laertes in his plan to kill hamlet by poisoning the end of Laertes rapier and if laertes couldn't get a direct hit on Hamlet than King Claudius would make sure he would have a drink where he’s already put poison in the cup, and by doing this he kept encouraging Hamlet to take a drink between each set “ And that he calls for drink, I’ll have prepared him a chalice for the nonce; whereon but sipping if he by chance escape you venom’d stuck, our purpose may hold their.” (line 175-178 p. 240). But hamlet refuses to drink which angers King Claudius but he has no choice but to keep pressuring him and when hamlet defeats laertes the Queen wanted to toast to Hamlet. But when she’d offered the cup to Hamlet to drink from as well he humbly declines and tells his mother she can have the drink for his victory. Which is poisoned by King Claudius. He tells her to not to drink from the cup but she tell him no that she will have a sip. He and Laertes who know of the poison in the cup don't try to do anything further to stop her from drinking the poison, “ As more and more people engage in corruption, you’re better able to find willing partners in crime” (Taub