The Domino Effect in William Shakespeare's HamletIf there's one game that gets the wheels turning in a child's mind, it's dominoes. The excitement that builds as one carefully installs each domino at a time, being sure not to knock over any of the pieces until he creates a marvelous maze with curves and zigzags plunging from side to side 'other. Finally, after diligently finishing his masterpiece, the big moment arrives. The excited child slowly approaches the very first domino he has set up and taps it. Young people watch in awe as a chain reaction occurs before their eyes. The child says to himself: “Wow. I can't believe one action could affect so many other dominoes. » The chain reaction of a game of dominoes is linked to the complex events that occur throughout William Shakespear's tragedy, "Hamlet." When King Claudius murders his brother at the beginning of the play, he "hits the first domino" in a series of murders that ultimately avenge him until his own death. By tracing the domino effect that Claudius sets off after killing Hamlet senior, the theme of revenge becomes predominant in the play. The plot of the play begins when King Claudius pours poison into his brother's ear. There are many reasons why Claudius took his brother's life. Clearly, Claudius envies everything Hamlet senior has. As a character, Claudius comes across as a greedy and self-centered person. He will go to extremes to get whatever he wants. He certainly reaps the rewards of his cheap sin by receiving the throw in Denmark and the hand of the lovely Queen in marriage. His manipulative style deceives many people as he poses as the rightful king; until Hamlet meets his father's ghost and learns of his stepfather's unholy sin. The ghost plays a crucial role in the play by sharing King Claudius' dirty secret with Hamlet. It is at this point that the initial theme of revenge comes in. Hamlet remains discreet until he is certain of Claudius' guilt, which is proven during the play "Mousetrap". Although Hamlet's idea for the play works wonderfully, he also makes a terrible mistake, admits Philip Burton, the author of The Sole Voice..