Molleti Bala Krishna & D. Jyothirmayee (Professor & Research Supervisor)
Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajamahendravaram.
Social And Ethical values as Projected in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Authors
Abstract
This research paper focuses on the importance of social and ethical values in the human
civilization.It describes how William Shakespeare portrays the importance of these values in
his famous tragedy,Hamlet.These values are eternal that determinethe destiny of human
society ever.
Values are stable and long-lasting beliefs about the important aspectsto a person. They
become standards by which people control their lives and make their choices .A belief will
develop into a value, when the person’s commitment to it grows and they see it as
important. Human civilisation depends upon these values .Values are different kinds like
spiritualvalues, moral values, ethical values etc. William Shakespeare portrays the values of
his period in most of his dramas. One of his tragic-dramas,Hamlet,reflects the values of the
society through the protagonists Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, Hamlet and Horatio. Claudius
kills his own brother, the king of Denmark, treacherously for the sake ofthe throne and
power.He does not follow moral values in his life in orderto achieve his selfish motives.
Besides, he remarries the wife of his own brother and devises many plots to kill the prince
Hamlet, the son of his brother. As a result of shattering moral and ethical values, he
welcomes the tragic death to many lives in the drama, Hamlet.