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Shakespeare's experience with political instability and the deposition of heads-of-state.
Rebellion and Execution of Earl of Essex:
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark"; "Denmark's a prison."
Politics in Hamlet
Illegal transfer of power (Claudius murders his brother and seizes
the throne) breeds disease -- even mental disease or madness -- in
the citizens of Denmark; breeds illegal espionage and further murder
and violence at home and abroad. Why does Shakespeare believe
disease, madness, murder are the results of illegal transfer? Is it
his belief in the Great Chain of Being? His horror of chaos?
Something implicit in the moral order of the universe? Is there a
moral order?
Espionage in Hamlet
Polonius interrogates Ophelia on the subject of
Hamlet
Polonius directs agents to spy on Laertes
Polonius and the King spy on Hamlet and Ophelia
Polonius spies on Hamlet in his mother's bedroom
King directs Rosencrantz and Gildenstern to spy on Hamlet
King directs a foreign power to assassinate Hamlet
Illegal transfer of power in America?
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