Corruption and Deception Imagery in Hamlet

Hamlet says he suspects some treacherous action.

Laertes warns Ophelia against being with Hamlet.

Hamlet says that a man’s actions may look disreputable if there is some evil in them.

Marcellus tells Horatio that there is something wrong in Denmark

Unweeded garden suggest an environment that has gone to ruin; “rank and gross” suggests something decaying.

Hamlet says he “doubt[s] foul play” because of the presence of the ghost. If nothing was wrong he wouldn’t be there.

Laertes says that Ophelia should guard her virtue because like the passion is like the cankerworm that “galls the infants of the spring” and destroys “the liquid dew of youth.” He suggests that Hamlet will destroy her.

Hamlet says that if a “dram of evil” is found in an action people will see it as corruption even though it may not be corrupt.

Marcellus tells the others there is something “rotten in the state of Denmark.” He suggests that there is some corruption that rots away the government.

Hamlet asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern why they are really there after they say that the only news is that “the world has grown too honest.”

Hamlet calls Claudius a “canker” that must not be allowed to do further evil because he has already killed the king and “whored” the queen.

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