Symbolism – The poison plays a big role in Hamlet. It symbolizes corruption, disloyalty, betrayal, dishonesty, vengeance, revenge, deceit, and death. In Act 1 Scene 5, A ghost of Hamlet’s father tells Hamlet how King Claudius killed him. Hamlet’s father says, “Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole with juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, and in the porches of my ears did pour”. When Claudius pours the poison into Hamlet’s ear and murders him, it goes to show how much the want of power can corrupt someone. The want of power motivated Claudius to poison his own brother. Later, when Laertes and Claudius are planning to kill Hamlet for revenge, they also decide to use …show more content…
The skull also reminds Hamlet of Ophelia's death. When Hamlet picks up the skull of Yorick and begins to talk to it, he questions death, and what happens after. He sees death physically and it changes his views on death. Hamlet eventually realizes that no matter what kind of a life someone may lead, everybody dies and ends up in the same place after death – as mere dust. He questions the importance of being important while alive, and the importance of being alive in general. He talks about how someone like Yorick could end up in the same place and position as someone such as Alexander the Great, when he