Hamlet

Can someone tell me how the chain of being is important in this play?

This question appears very broad, yet I would assume you mean by the chain of being,that entity that makes the characters alive...to be. Many of the characters in this play are involved in the being. First and foremost is Hamlet who continuously questions his reason for being in the play: "To be or not to be, that is the question" (3.1.56). Hamlet's concentration on his own life and whether he merits it given the circumstances, takes most of his energy from the task set before him by the ghost-to avenge his father's death.

The chain of being is also reflected in Polonious. He wants to be at any cost whether it be giving up his daughter to gain favor with Gertrude and Claudius and moving up his family in Court or spying on Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude, which results in his death and the end of his 'to be.'

At the close of this play, there is no more chain of being as appeared at the onset of the play. The Royal House of Denmark is wiped out due to Claudius's greed and lust and Hamlet's indecision. Laertes, Ophelia and Polonious are also killed. All that is left is Horatio and Young Fortinbras and perhaps a chance for Denmark to continue, to be, with new leadership!

You might want to visit my blog, Literature 101, where you can find complete (and free!) lessons and discussion on Hamlet that will help you answer this question.