Patriarchy in HamletHamlet by William Shakespeare uses the concept of patriarchy in several scenarios and each on different levels. These levels of patriarchy, even for the same character, vary in their role in the play. Three patriarchal characters are easily identifiable: the ghost of Hamlet's father, King Claudius, and the Lord Chamberlain Polonius. Despite their differences, each patriarchy displays values ​​and actions that are key factors in Hamlet's cataclysmic ending. Claudius fulfills the role of father figure as king of a nation and stepfather to young Hamlet, whose father died suddenly. It is later revealed that Claudius is responsible for the death of his brother, King Hamlet. This very act of murder to obtain the throne and marry his own sister-in-law, an act tantamount to incest in the eyes of their society, immediately shows the poor quality of the monarchy that can be expected from Claudius. Young Fortinbras of Norway believes that since King Hamlet is dead, he is entitled to his inheritance of land, and rightly so since the contract was made between King Hamlet and Fortinbras' father. Young Fortinbras obviously represents some form of threat to the kingdom, a thought also expressed by Horatio and Bernardo as they keep vigil in the play's opening (1.1.80-125). Claudius doesn't seem too concerned about this question. He sends two letters to Fortinbras' sick uncle asking him to stop Fortinbras and his attack on Denmark. Meanwhile, it seems Claudius doesn't give the matter any further thought. It is strange that he does not more securely keep the kingdom that he cared about enough to kill his own brother to obtain. He of all people should know what we......middle of paper......blishers, 1999.Chute, Marchette. “The story told in Hamlet.” Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from Shakespeare's Histories. Np: EP Dutton, 1956.Homer. “The Odyssey”. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Expanded edition in a single volume. New York: WW Norton & Company, 1997. 101-336. Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Expanded edition in a single volume. New York: WW Norton & Company, 1997. 1634-726. Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Hamlet, prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html No nos.Ovid line. “Metamorphoses”. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Expanded edition in a single volume. New York: WW Norton & Company, 1997. 684-99.