Choose a play whose main theme concerns on of the following: power, corruption, disillusionment. Explain how the dramatist introduces the theme and discuss to what extent you found the way it is explored in the play enhanced your understanding of the th

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AMDG Andrew Baird L5- Hamlet Essay

Question: (Past Paper 2002 Q.3)

Choose a play whose main theme concerns on of the following: power, corruption, disillusionment. Explain how the dramatist introduces the theme and discuss to what extent you found the way it is explored in the play enhanced your understanding of the theme.

In your answer you must refer closely to the text and to at least two of: theme plot setting, characterisation or any other appropriate feature.

In William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' there is a very strong theme of corruption that runs through the whole of the play, mainly stemming from the character of Claudius. This corruption can be seen at almost every point in the play, and is summed up by Marcellus when he says: 'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.' I intend to show how successful Shakespeare is in conveying this theme, primarily through his use of characterisation and language.

Claudius is the centre of evil and of corruption in the play. When Marcellus states: 'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark', it could be interpreted that he is speaking of the threat of war, but when