Predominant Images Present in Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Hamlet is a magnificent piece of work that uses and exploits imagery mechanisms to

bring out a clear picture of the real issues affecting the characters. Imagery is used so effectively

throughout the play to paint a vivid and descriptive picture as well as to reinforce the numerous

themes revealed in the play. In Hamlet, there are many types of images that Shakespeare uses to

illustrate, emphasize and build on the state that Denmark and the characters were in at that time.

Revenge in Hamlet is the main image portrayed in the play and it is also the main

problem affecting Hamlet. Revenge has raised a series of contradictions and contemporary

attitudes over the years even before Shakespeare. Murder was an offence often left to the state.

Hamlet is not keen on revenge since he is not portrayed as brutal and complicated but follows the

orders of the ghost since something inside him is demanding his father’s vengeance. His lack of

strong revenge motive leads him to accidentally kill Polonius but it is clear that he could not

purposefully kill another person. Shakespeare clearly depicts the form of the revenge play,

dealing with all sorts of self-questioning, as Hamlet considers, “To be or not to be.”

Death is also portrayed in Hamlet, throughout the play, since Hamlet is constantly

contemplating about killing Claudius and lamenting the murdered king, his father. He also

contemplates on the idea of whether he should commit suicide, or not. The King’s ghost says,

"A serpent stung me, so the whole ear of Denmark, /is by a forged process of my death."(Act 1,

Scene 5, Line 41-42). The ghost also demands revenge, portraying the murder, violence and evil

that will inevitably follow in future as Hamlet kills Claudius.

Memory imagery is depicted in the play for almost all the characters in the play. Hamlet

remembers, and is troubled by, the memories of his father’s reputation. The ghost also uses his
father’s memories in him to incite him to take vengeance with “remember me” (Act I, Scene 5,

line 91). Gertrude, on the other hand, has no memories of her dead husband and later longs to

redeliver “remembrances” and later laments to have seen what she has seen since she kept the

memories. Memory is portrayed as “weighty” and a major contributor to the burden of

consciousness.

Corruption and deception: there is no doubt about the corruption that gnaws on the state

of Denmark and the characters. “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (Act 1, Scene 5,

line 90). Claudius was greedy and power thirsty and this led him to kill Hamlet’s father. His life

and the state of Denmark are portrayed as corrupt since there is a lot of dishonesty and improper

behavior. The ghost reveals that the cause of King Hamlet’s death was poisoning by Claudius:

"Murder most foul, as in the best it is, but this most foul, strange, and unnatural." This clearly

determines that there is a lot of deception and corruption in the play.

Another form of imagery that Shakespeare skillfully uses in the play is incest. Gertrude

and Claudius get married hastily, which is taboo and a source of “national pollution” for

Denmark (Act I, scene 5, line 83). They don’t face up to the incest charges and Gertrude

considers the marriage as not sinful or “overhasty”. Hamlet and his father’s ghost are angered by

this idea and they both have deep resentment for Claudius and Gertrude for their incestuous

relationship.

The different forms of imagery help in pointing out the main themes indicated in the play

and understanding them better. Shakespeare uses these forms imagery and blends it in with other

literary devices to explain the issues in the play effectively and clearly.
 Reference

Bosak, J., (1999). The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.