Introduction
The concept of love involves an expression of an individual desire to connect with another person with an exceptional loving act. Contrary betrayal is breaking trust, which results in emotional, psychological, and even physical conflict in a relationship. The contradiction of dreadful love in society is illustrated effectively in the literature of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Shakespeare narrates the story of Hamlet with a breathtaking sense of human devotion. Several characters unveil love in the play, but the tragedy's climax emerges from Hamlet's nature. The theme of love is illustrated by Hamlet's love for Gertrude, his mother, and his erotic affection for Ophelia. It is evident that humanity rally along with the struggles of love. However, the transcendent bond and friendship between Hamlet and Horatio is the strongest tie throughout the play portraying love.
Love Theme
Shakespeare primarily describes the strong bond of friendship between Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, and Horatio. According to Iyinoluwa (2018), Shakespeare describes the strength of a relationship between Hamlet and Horatio in Act I, scene II, when the former was informed by Horatio that he had seen and witnessed the ghost of the late King Hamlet. “As I do live, my honored lord, it’s true and we did know of its" (Iyinoluwa, 2018, p. 611). Horatio gives the Prince a detailed account of the sighting, which proves to be an honest answer to Hamlet's questions (Iyinoluwa, 2018). It demonstrates a healthy relationship and a robust bond of confidence and trust between the two.
Similarly, in the last scene of the play Act V, scene II Horatio validates full focus and act of love for his friend prince Hamlet when the Prince killed King Claudius. Realizing that the authorities will punish Hamlet heavily because of his actions, Horatio advises the Prince to take charge of his destiny. However, he will suffer great pain of losing his friend Hamlet. Henceforth, Hamlet takes the poison, and before his death, he makes the last request to his trusted friend, "if you ever loved me, separate yourself from my death long enough to tell the world what happened here, no matter how painful it might be to You" (Iyinoluwa, 2018, p. 612).
On the other hand, a theme of love between Hamlet and Ophelia in the play of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is portrayed in Act II, scene I, line 74-81, when Ophelia narrates to Polonius that “My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; no hat upon his head; and with a look so piteous in purport as if he had been loosed out of hell to speak of horrors-he comes before me” (Joshi, 2015, p. 1219). The narrative describes Hamlet and Ophelia's first interaction before his mission to vindicate for his father and kill the new King Claudius. Besides, one can interpret it as an indication of the Prince's lovesickness. The scene shows Hamlet's intense love, although the actions mirror distrust of self-concerning the interaction with Ophelia.
Moreover, the theme of love in the play is illustrated in the Nunnery scene when Hamlet expresses his disappointments and distress of Ophelia's love. In Act III, scene I, line 142-144, Hamlet scolds his affectionate love and marriage before Ophelia. He is frustrated, and the old love and desire for his love interest to Ophelia subside (Joshi, 2015). Hamlet's distrust and frustration of love and marriage are accelerated by the relationship between King Claudius and Queen Gertrude. Hamlet is his speech relates to challenges in relationship and marriage problems by referring to his family. The speech in the nunnery scene expresses Hamlet’s disgust about love and the hypocrisy of women.
Besides, Shakespeare describes how much affection Hamlets have towards Ophelia in Act V Scene I, Line 285-288, which quotes, "I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers could not, With all their quantities of love make up my sum" (Shakespeare et al., 2015, p. 255). The quote by Hamlet proves that he truly loved Ophelia. Similarly, although she is dead, Hamlet used the words to express his feelings and defend the love he had for her. Hamlet describes his heart desires and emotional love, proving he offered protection to Ophelia and did not like her involvement in his affairs because he knew it would result in her downfall. Thus, it is evident that Hamlet's love was genuine; he truly loved Ophelia and stills love her even though she is dead.
Finally, the theme of love is illustrated in the play between Hamlet and his mother Queen Gertrude in Act III, scene IV, line 206-208, after the death of Polonius when Hamlet is encountering and opposing Queen Gertrude about her relationship with King Claudius (Shakespeare et al., 2015). He shows the love he has for his mother by opposing her relationship with the uncle, which was against his late father, and it was a component of sin. Hamlet encourages his mother to end the relationship with King Claudius and inspire her to repent before asking for her blessings. Hence, it is evident that Hamlet loves his mother, but he is frustrated by her character.
Betrayal Theme
Contrary, betrayal in William Shakespeare's Hamlet's literature is best illustrated when Gertrude married King Claudius after King Hamlet's death. By marrying Claudius, Gertrude betrays both King Hamlet and Hamlet. Moreover, another betrayal is portrayed after Polonius's death when Gertrude defended Claudius when he was accused of killing Polonius in Act IV, scene V, line 126-128 (Iyinoluwa, 2018). Thus, by defending Claudius, Gertrude betrays King Hamlet. Similarly, by acknowledging to King Claudius that Hamlet killed Polonius, Gertrude betrays him.
Additionally, according to Joshi (2015), Ophelia also betrays Hamlet by repelling and breaking off the relationship between them despite Hamlet's affection and efforts to love her. Besides, Hamlet also betrays Ophelia when in France after been asked about their relationship, and he denies his love for her (Iyinoluwa, 2018). Finally, by delaying to kill King Claudius on time, Hamlet betrays his father's ghost.
Conclusion
Love and betrayal are significant issues in the literature of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The theme of love is illustrated by the close relationship between Hamlet and Horatio, the emotional love happening between Hamlet and Ophelia, and lastly mother's love between Hamlet and Gertrude. However, betrayal among relatives, family members, and even friends results in distress and damaged beyond repair. Thus, Shakespeare illustrates that love can turn to hate, and human beings' existence results in love and the troubles of love.
