What was rotten in the state of Denmark?

Answer 1

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" is a line from the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. An officer of the palace guard says this after the ghost of the dead king appears, walking over the palace walls. It is used to describe corruption or a situation in which something is wrong. It was actually not just referring to the State of Denmark being rotten by corruption and wrongdoings but it reflects a corrupt world and ultimately reflects the fate of all human beings with the rotten system of government.♥

Answer 2

In the play, Marcellus, who says this line is not aware of what Claudius and what he has done.

This remark is in Act I, scene 4.

At the current moment the ghost of King Hamlet has appeared to the man four times. This is Hamlets first time and the ghost is summoning him, only him.

When Hamlet hurries off to talk to the ghost is when Marcellus states this. In my opinion he believes that this ghost has come because some great evil is covering Denmark, whether it be that the king was murdered or that he has come to warn the people of a battle coming near.

Though if you want to know just what was wrong and not why Marcellus said it then the first answer is correct. Claudius poisoned his own brother while he was sleeping in his garden and took his sister in law as his bride. Then when he thought that Hamlet would be a threat to his kingship, plotted the prince's death.

Answer 3

I like the first answer - very matter of fact and basically 100% correct.

To expand a bit, I think it is worth thinking about the word "rotten" and all of it's implications. Rotting is the process of disintegration where living, breathing beings become dirt. It is a morbid word, and Hamlet is a very morbid and violent play.

Rotting also happens when food is left out for too long. Claudius' crime was essentially left alone without having to account for his brother's murder. Hamlet is given the duty to disgard Cladius from the face of the earth, much like you would throw away a steak that had been left out all night. Hamlet cannot throw the meat away, and it is stinking and rotting and getting worse every day.

Answer 4

Hamlet had discovered (though he wasn't absolutely sure) that his uncle had enigneered the death of the king, Hamlet's father. The king had been poisoned in his sleep, and Hamlet's uncle moved in to "help" console the queen, consequently marrying her and becoming the new king of Denmark. As Hamlet became more suspicious, his uncle began to plot against Hamlet as well, enlisting the aid of Hamlet's childhood friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take him to England with a note to the English king to kill Hamlet upon his arrival.

There are several good movies that explore these issues in the story. As much as it pains me to say it, the Mel Gibson version of Hamlet is pretty good, thought Kenneth Brannaugh's is better (although it's over 3 hours long!). Another great film about Hamlet, though not the exact story of Hamlet, is "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" starring Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, and Richard Dreyfus. This one is histerical, but you have to pay attention because the wit of the movie is very quick and the dialogue is still quite Shakespearean. Good luck, I would recommend getting ahold of some good criticism (there is plenty out there) of Shakespeare, and read the play several times ... once is not enough. Hamlet is one of my favorites, but it takes some getting used to and acceptance of the language. After a couple times through it gets much better.

Answer 5

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark"

Answer 6

The correct answer to that question would be "Something" ;-)

The people above who've given all the Shakespeare info are of course correct, I just couldn't help giving my silly answer.

Answer 7

hamlet's uncle was sleepin w/ his mom and killed his dad to do it

Answer 8

Ummm...their cheese?....lol

Answer 9

the potato salad?

Answer 10

it means there is something sinister abound.