In William Shakespeare’s most famous play, Hamlet, we are told a story of vengeance, love, hatred and tragedy. Yet there is a catalyst that drives these events to help the play progress and reveals to us the deepest emotions of the characters portrayed, the most striking of which being young Prince Hamlet himself who is brought to his bloody downfall as a result of this. ...
The aspect of deceit is a significant cause of the eventual downfall of Prince Hamlet. ... First, Polonius spies on Hamlet while he is talking privately with his mother, Queen Gertrude. Second, Claudius sends Hamlet away to England, secretly planning for his execution there. Finally, towards the final scene of the play, Laertes and Claudius scheme together to kill Hamlet in a duel.
The first event displaying deceit leading to the eventual downfall of Hamlet is Polonius spying. In Act III, Scene III, Polonius decides to aid the king’s suspicion of Hamlet by spying on the young Prince and his mother, "My lord, hes going to his mother’s closet. ... As Act III, Scene IV, opens Polonius gets his chance and listens to a conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude, hoping that Hamlet will confide something in his mother that could be used against him in the future. Unfortunately for Polonius, Hamlet hears him behind the curtain, and (thinking that Polonius is actually a spying King Claudius) immediately attacks and kills him. This event contributes to Hamlets downfall as Claudius is able to use this act of murder as an excuse to send Hamlet away to England. Although this may have back-fired on Claudius somewhat (he lost a friend and advisor) it still had the desired effect of an accusation against Hamlet. The death of Polonius also marks Hamlet’s digression into what he hates the most – Claudius, a murderer. ... Afterall, this killing is not justified, there is no vengeance or proper reason; so is Hamlet to be looked upon as a villain like Claudius? From here on it is obvious that the story will unfold as a tragedy and unfortunately Hamlet may be permanently marked as the good prince going bad. ...
Officially, the king sends Hamlet away, "for thine especial safety," (Act IV, Scene III, Line 37) with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern because the murder may earn him some enemies. Privately though, Claudius plans to have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern go with Hamlet to convey a message to the King of England that Hamlet is to be executed.
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