HAMLET BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

EXPLORING THE MYSTERIES

OF MORTALITY

SYMBOLS

Yorick's skull The ghost of Hamlet's Poison represents

represents the father symbolises one of the ways

physical manifestation death and death is achieved

of death. foreshadows violence throughout the play.

and bloodshed

The ghost in Hamlet symbolises the central theme of the play. It

introduces the theme of death and foreshadows Hamlet's

eventual demise and establishes the play as one of tragedy. A

ghost also symbolises that the deceased has unfinished business

on earth. The ghost acts as a catalyst for Hamlet's actions

directing the course of his life. It encourages Hamlet to ponder

the meaning of life and death. The ghost urges Hamlet to,

"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (1.5.29) which

weakens Hamlet emotionally. It also serves as encouragement

for Hamlet to seek the death of his uncle, Claudius for revenge.

The act of revenge weighs on Hamlet and he acts irrationally

and without reason, which ultimately leads to his death.

Yorick's skull represents death as a skeleton is the only physical

evidence an individual leaves after their death. Hamlet's

observation of Yorick, an acquaintance of his "Here hung those

lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes

now, Your gambols, Your songs" (5.1.191-193) represent how

death destroys one's humanity and essence along with their

physical body. The skull represents how limited humans are and

how death is inevitable. For Hamlet, it serves as an eye opening

moment as he realises how futile life is. His idea that life is

meaningless is reinforced as he realises death doesn't

discriminate and makes everyone equal.

Poison is a recurring symbol throughout the play it represents lies,

deceit and betrayal. These three characteristics are displayed by

the characters which influences the death of multiple people.

Poison has physically killed Hamlet's father, his mother, Laertes

and eventually Hamlet too. Metaphorically, poison has corrupted

the minds of Gertrude who marries Claudius and Laertes who is

convinced to take revenge on Hamlet. At the end poison

overpowers all, "The potent poison quite over-crows my spirit."

(5.2.372) ending it all. All the poisoning in the play leads to

unnecessary fear developing into deceitful actions which results

in the deaths of multiple characters.

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet with Related Readings.

Global Shakespeare Series, 1996, pp. 1-140.