Define Revenge In Hamlet Essays

Define Revenge in Hamlet Essays
Revenge is one's desire to retaliate and get even. Human instincts turn to revenge when loved ones are hurt. But, these misdeeds of taking upon
revenge may lead to serious consequences. In William Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet," Fortinbras, Hamlet, and Laertes's each show how their desire
for revenge unavoidably leads to tragedy. The loss of their loved ones caused these characters in Hamlet to take action. Young Fortinbras has built an
army to get back the lands his father lost to King Hamlet and Denmark. His actions can be compared to the measures Hamlet is willing to take upon
Claudius. Hamlet wants to kill his uncle, Claudius, for killing his father to gain royalty status. Laertes has the same anger as Hamlet killed Polonius,
...show more content...
"Examples gross as earth exhort me:/Witness this army of such mass and charge/Led by a delicate and tender prince,/ Whose spirit with divine
ambition puff'd /Makes mouths at the invisible event, / Exposing what is mortal and unsure/To all that fortune, death and danger dare,/Even for an
egg–shell." (IV.iv. 49
–56). Hamlet admires Fortinbras as a man of action due to building an army and directing them for Denmark to avenge the death
of his father. In the end, as Fortinbras successfully becomes King of Denmark, he says: "Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this/ Becomes the field,
/but here shows much amiss./ Go, bid the soldiers shoot." (V.ii. 403–405). Fortinbras tells the soldiers to clean up the dead bodies and then fire their
guns outside honoring of Hamlet. Laertes, a foil to Hamlet in the play, faces similar problems as Hamlet. Laertes learns Hamlet is responsible for the
death of his father, Polonius by Claudius. But, in Act III Scene iv, Polonius was hiding behind the arras of the QueenGertrude's room and Hamlet killed
him accidentally. Claudius took the opportunity to use his manipulative skills and convince Laertes he should kill Hamlet for what he did
(Cruttwell). Claudius' speech to Laertes implies that not acting would show no love for his father, "Not that I think you did not love your father, but
that I know love is begun by time, and that I see in passages of proof"(IV. vii. 111–113). Claudius' tone influences Laertes to immediately seek revenge
on
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Hamlet- A Revenge Tragedy Essay
Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's most well–known tragedies. At first glance, it holds all of the common occurrences in a revenge tragedy which include
plotting, ghosts, and madness, but its complexity as a story far transcends its functionality as a revenge tragedy. Revenge tragedies are often closely
tied to the real or feigned madness in the play. Hamlet is such a complex revenge tragedy because there truly is a question about the sanity of the main
character Prince Hamlet. Interestingly enough, this deepens the psychology of his character and affects the way that the revenge tragedy takes place.
An evaluation of Hamlet's actions and words over the course of the play can be determined to see that his 'outsider' outlook on society,...show more
content...
One symptom of Schizophrenia is finding oneself incapable of communicating with society. It is possible that Hamlet is Schizophrenic because, given
the way that Hamlet feels unable to trust the likes of Claudius, Gertrude, and the other characters, it could suggest a reasoning for his acts of insanity
being a way to communicate.
Well known is it that the main plot of Hamlet is outlined by revenge. Upon learning the circumstances of his father's death, Hamlet's attitude shifts.
Once a saddened mourner, Hamlet becomes a man on a mission for revenge. When the ghost of Hamlet's father brings the news to the awestruck
Hamlet, Hamlet is appalled by the "Foul and most unnatural murder" (1.5, 31). Hamlet immediately promises the ghost the retribution he desires,
claiming that he will seek swift vengeance against his father's murder to prove his love for him: "Haste me to know't that I, with wings as swift as
meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge" (1.5, 35–37). Ironically, Hamlet promises the ghost a swift revenge, though his revenge
is anything but quick. The theme of delayed activity reoccurs throughout the plot of the story, because, consistently, the protagonist's time–table for
accomplishing the task is slowed due to his pondering of moral issues. Hamlet's Mousetrap scene is a perfect

Hamlet And Revenge In Hamlet
Hamlet has lived through plenty of ups and downs throughout his childhood. He has been lost and confused within himself, but knew he wanted one
thing, which was revenge on his fathers killer, Claudius. His passion of hate developed for Claudius as he married Hamlets mother shortly after the
king's death. Hamlet could not decide on the perfect decision for himself, his mother and father as well as the best way to follow through with the best
consequence for Claudius that would impress his father. His everyday life, along with his love life, left him with an empty heart, which slowed the
process of the revenge down. Hamlet never expected to be captured and kidnapped by pirates, as he was sent overseas as a young man. His inside
thoughts were attacking and overwhelming Him, leaving him depressed and anxious. Hamlet's life has been leading him to negative thoughts that he
cannot process or act accordingly to, due to the excessive amount of issues and options involved in his life at a young age, him being overwhelmed
lead him to delaying the process of avenging his fathers killer.
Hamlet really wanted the revenge on Claudius but was really on the fence of what to actually do to follow through with then plan. Claudius was
brave to feel so free, as Hamlet had opportunities to take advantage of him and had plenty of hate towards him for more than one reason. The action
Hamlet may want and outcome of it, may be completely different as to what his father would do or like him to do.

Revenge In Hamlet
Introduction
It is often said that Hamlet is the most remarkable work by Shakespeare in his dramas. The story tells of the previous king of Denmark –old
Hamlet–who has been assassinated by his brother Claudius, who has inherited the throne and married his brother's widow Gertrude. There is also
trouble from abroad–on the ramparts of the castle at Elsinore, sentinels stand guard against a foreign threat of invasion by the prince of Norway. The
ghost of the murdered king appears there ,asking to be avenged .Hamlet promises to obey ,and while seeking evidence that this was really his father's
ghost and that he spoke the truth, he puts on an appearance of insanity to avoid suspicion and to plan his revenge. His madness is interpreted as...show
more content...
Thinking that the King is the cause of his father's death, Laretes leads his masses to rush into court and fights with Claudius. We see Laertes do
this, but in fact, he does not love his father at all. He laughs at his father's weakness, and hates that his father asks someone to keep watch on him.
The reason behind his father's death, does not interest him. If Laertes had been willing to learn the reason, he would know that the death of Polonius
was caused by himself, for he was so keen on interfering in the conflict between Hamlet and the King. Laertes' revenge is for is his ambitions. When
he leads his masses to kill the King, he advocates them to support him as the new King. It is quite clear to say that Laertes's revenge is divorced from
the essence,because he has ulterior motives.
2.2 Fortinblas's Abandonment to Revenge Fortinblas gives up on his revenge. In this drama we do not see the Norway prince many times. Just
because of a few words from his uncle, he abandons his revenge for his father's death. When the Dane is frightened to wait for Fortinblas's attack for
his father's death and the lost land, Fortinblas attacks Poland. Fortinblas realizes that he has no ability to fight with Denmark, so he gives up. But what
would it happened if he was willing to try his best? He absolutely abandons. Leartes and Fortinblas have their own attitude on

The Consequences Of Revenge In Hamlet
Shakespeare goes to great measures to convey countless tragedies in Hamlet to make it the most popular and known tragedy ever written. Not only
did Hamlet have to surpass the tragedies life threw at him, but he also had to consider his conflicting views. Shakespeare also writes the play to show
how Hamlet's hesitation to get revenge on Claudius leads other characters to their death. The tragic theme of Hamlet stems from Hamlet procrastinating
revenge, while Laertes and Fortinbras immediately sought revenge for their father's death, creating a foil between the three characters.
The death of Hamlet's father and his mother remarrying two months after his father's death are two scenarios that instill revenge into Hamlet's brain.
Throughout the play, the readers see how Hamlet's personality and mental state evolves while revenge is still on his mind. Hamlet rationally thinks
about revenge and the consequences to come by contemplating killing Claudius for a great amount of the play. Ever since Hamlet discovered that
Claudius killed his father by pouring poison down his ear, Hamlet became obsessed with the idea of death and revenge. King Hamlet encourages
Prince Hamlet to take action immediately against Claudius and ultimately leaves it up to Hamlet to figure out the revenge plan (1.5.7–41). Hamlet
solely focuses on getting revenge even if it is the last thing he does. Because King Hamlet left his fate up to his son, Hamlet had to make complicated
decisions on his own, which altered his mental state as the play progressed. Shakespeare tactically builds up the beginning of Hamlet, only to have
Hamlet question the authenticity later in the play, which is where his paranoia begins. In the article "Revenge and Vengeance in Shakespeare's Hamlet:
A Study of Hamlet's Pursuit and Procrastination Regarding Revenge," the author, Haque, states that "Hamlet was actually considered to be an
indecisive person who always used to think much but act too little," meaning that the conversation with the ghost telling him to get revenge would not
be the only time Hamlet was indecisive, which delayed his revenge process. The readers see that Hamlet is eager planning the revenge on Claudius, but
when the time comes, Hamlet is unable to

Revenge In Hamlet
The Shakespearian play Hamlet uses several techniques to appeal to the various audiences of its time. A common theme throughout the play is the
concept of revenge. Hamlet is set in the Elizabethan Era, which is a time in history where the idea of revenge was strewn throughout many aspects of
life. These aspects mainly included politics, culture, and society. In the play, Shakespeare uses Hamlets speech in Act IV Scene IV to appeal to the
audience's perception of revenge socially, culturally, and politically. In the play,Hamlet has heard news of Fortinbras fighting a meaningless battle
against Poland to restore his pride. Hamlets speech in Act IV Scene IV, demonstrates Hamlets envy, and most importantly it illustrates that Hamlet is
impressed...show more content...
At this point in history it was common for people to avenge the death of a family member. Dr. Hannah Lavery states that "[p]rivate revenge acts were
understood at that time to be actions taken by an individual in response to a wrong committed on themselves or their family group" (Lavery 1). In
Hamlets speech, he states "[r]ightly to be great [i]s not to stir without great argument, [b]ut to find quarrel in a straw [w]hen honor's at the stake"
(4.4.52–55). This ideology was followed by many people at this time. It was believed to be important to defend dignity even when there was little
ethical significance for revenge. In the speech, Hamlet expresses that he has failed to do so. This concept can be related directly to the social and
cultural beliefs in the Elizabethan Era, therefore it directly relates to the audience of

Theme of Revenge in "Hamlet" Essay
"If you seek revenge, dig two graves." This ancient Chinese proverb explains the mood in Hamlet, a play, written by Shakespeare. The theme of
revenge is seen throughout the play as each character extracts one form or another of revenge from a person who has wronged them. In the play the
characters Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras all desire revenge for a lost father; however, their motivations for murder differ. Hamlet is unlike the other
two characters in the way that he uses reason and logic before he acts and decides to kill his uncle, Claudius, because he is aware of the consequences.
For example, when Hamlet is trying to determine how he can prove Claudius the murderer, after conversing with the players about the play, following
Laertes does not think about his actions or reason through them as Hamlet does, but reacts indecisively and quickly to his father's death with no
concern for the results. For instance, when Laertes finds out about his father's death, when he barges into the castle Elsinore, and demands to see the
king, when Claudius convinces Laertes that he did not kill Polonius, answering Claudius' question whether Laertes would kill even a friend to avenge
his father, Laertes answers, "None but his enemies." (IV, v, 165) The fact that Laertes would kill his own friend to avenge his father shows that he
does not care for the consequences that would follow murdering your friend. He is hot headed and does not stop to think, so he does not realize he is
being manipulated. Another instance, following the discussion between Claudius and Laertes aforementioned, Claudius starts to flatter Laertes into
killing Hamlet for him, as Claudius questions Laertes commitment to avenging his father, Laertes declares, " To cut his throat i' th' church." (IV, vii,
144) Laertes confesses with this line that he does not believe in the consequences of the after life. He has no regards for the eternal condemnation that
taking a life results in. Fortinbras is the in between man of the three characters involved in revenge, because although he is quick to react, he reasons
through his decisions later on. To exemplify this, in the after Claudius hearing of Fortinbras impending attack,

Essay on Revenge in Hamlet
William Shakespeare is considered the greatest writer of the English language.
Shakespeare wrote hundreds of pieces, from sonnets to plays. Hamlet is one of his most
well–known plays. There isn't any shortage of revenge in Hamlet, and so that is the theme
we'll be discussing. Hamlet and Laertes are the most obvious character with revenge in
their minds, and that's who we'll be focusing on throughout the essay.
Two months before the beginning of the play, the King Hamlet dies. The King
shows himself to two guards, Barnardo and Francisco, at first. The guards decide to bring
in Horatio, who brings Marcellus, to see the spirit as well. This is so they can confirm its
existence, as Horatio was a well–respected...show more content...
The
re–enactment also has Hamlet question himself about the truth as to why he hasn't done
anything to avenge his father as of yet. During the play, Hamlet observes his uncle and
his reaction to the actions to see if the plan would work. It did, Claudius freaks out and
flees the room and Hamlet pursues him. When Hamlets catches up to Claudius, he is

kneeling and praying and Hamlet pulls out and his sword in attempt to kill him right then
and there. However, Hamlet suddenly changed his mind, realizing that if he kills
Claudius while he is praying and repenting, he will no doubt go to Heaven. Hamlet
decides that Claudius doesn't deserve to go to Heaven, but to Hell. Hamlet puts his sword
down and procrastinates on his revenge. The third and final confrontation of the two
family members doesn't occur till the end of play. Hamlet escapes from his uncles
murder attempt on him. Hamlet and Laertes are having a sword duel when Queen
Gertrude unexpectedly from a glass of poison intended for Hamlet. Laertes stabs Hamlet
with a poisoned sword when Hamlet is not looking, Hamlet is then able to get hold of the
same sword and stabbed Laertes back. While this happens, Queen Gertrude dies.
Simultaneously, Laertes is lying down dying. He reveals to Hamlet that everything, the
sword and the drink, were all Claudius' doing in order to kill Hamlet. Hamlet in now in a
ball of fury, he goes up to Claudius and wounds him

The Paths to Revenge in Hamlet
Shakespeare's Hamlet tests effectiveness of vengeance, each character, inflicted by a different mindset, takes their own path during the process of
revenge. All in the effort to avenge their father's death, each character has a unique approach to their revenge schemes that determines their outcome,
Hamlet procrastinates, Laertes acts impulsively while Fortinbras is calm and collected.
Hamlet is not quick to act while dealing with his revenge schemes, rather he procrastinates; this building process of revenge results in many conflicts.
Hamlet does not know if the ghost of his father is telling the truth or not so he tests his theory: "The plays the thing/ Wherein ill catch the conscience of
the king." (II,...show more content...
Fortinbras wants to revenge on Hamlet, he wants to regain the lands that his father lost to King Hamlet. Horatio tells Claudius what is happening
with the Prince of Norway: "As it doth well appear unto our state, / but to recover of us by strong hand and terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands
so by his father lost'" (I, I, 101–104). Fortinbras is smart as he plans; he is taking his time putting together an army. To continue, Voltemand,
Fortinbras uncle advises Fortinbras to attack Poland rather than Denmark. To this Fortinbras replies: "Makes vow before his uncle never more / To
give th' assay of arms against your majesty" (II, II, 70–71). Fortinbras mind is clear, he is not overtaken by revenge, he makes the wise decision and
listens to his uncle. Moreover, when Fortinbras does arrive to the Danish court he is happily surprised to find Claudius and Hamlet dead. Fortinbras is
pleased: "I have some rights of memory in this kingdom, Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me." (V, II, 390–391). Fortinbras was able to
make a claim to the Danish throne. Therefore, because Fortinbras is patient and smart, he is the only person who acts on revenge and does not end up
dead, rather he is now King of

Essay On Revenge In Hamlet
The Fate of a Prince Revenge. Honor. Those are some of the many things that make the characters in the story of Hamlet tick. There is almost always
method to someone's madness, and there is always a motive behind revenge although it may not be the best option. Sometimes, the man who wants
revenge gets so wrapped up in the thought of getting even with a person, they do not realize they are hurting the people around them. It is affecting
their lives like poison. Hamlet took the life of an innocent man because he did not stop to think if it was truly Claudius. Instead it was Polonius. Doing
this cause his son to avenge his death and restore his family's name, when Hamlet was just trying to do the same. Then we have young Fortinbras, whose
Hamlet knew that Claudius could no longer be a member of his family. He knew that with Claudius as king his family name would never be the same.
Hamlet had to kill him, but he didn't know when. He thought about revenge so much and how to kill him that it pushed him away from the people
that still cared about him. In doing that it pushed his insanity forward. Ophelia was pushed away even though he knew about how she loved him. It
caused Polonius to become too eager to find out why Hamlet was becoming insane. After Hamlet's play he put on for the King and Queen, in Act: 3,
he had his answer to when he shall kill Claudius and take vengeance for his father. He dad procrastinate the killing of the king. He should have killed
him in his chambers while he was praying, but thought that he would go to heaven and that wouldn't be fair for him but that he should go to hell
instead. "Now might I do it pat. Now he is a–praying.
And now I'll do't. And so, he goes to heaven.
And so am I revenged. – That would be scanned.
A villain kills my father, and, for that,
I, his sole son, do this same villain send
To heaven" (III, III, 74–79).
Hamlet wants to kill him when he is doing wrong and for that it caused him to kill the wrong man, Polonius. He knew that he had just killed his friend's

Revenge and Vengeance in Shakespeare's Hamlet
Revenge in Hamlet
In Elizabethan times, a type of play known as a "revenge tragedy" became popular. These plays revolved around, "... the revenge of a father for a son
or vice versa, the revenge being directed by the ghost of the murdered man..." (Harmon and Holman #6). Other characteristics include real or pretend
insanity, philosophic soliloquies, hesitation on the part of the protagonist, conspiracy, and the use of horror. WilliamShakespeare's Hamlet fully satisfies
each of these traits, making it an excellent example of a revenge tragedy. Certainly, the most critical theme in the play by far is that of revenge; it fuels
the plot and story of Hamlet, reveals the hamartia of the protagonist, and is used successfully to...show more content...
In this case, Hamlet is obsessed with yet unable to act out his revenge since he is a man of thought and reflection, not of action and impulsiveness.
"Revenge, said Francis Bacon in his essay on the subject, is a kind of wild justice, and something in Hamlet is too civilized for stealthy murder," says
Northrop Frye (Frye). While he knows it is his duty to avenge his father's murder, Hamlet's desire to fulfill this obligation constantly wavers. In
self–pity he cries, "O cursed spite / That ever I was born to set it right!" (1.5. 188–189), and yet in rage he utters, "Now could I drink hot blood / and do
such bitter business as the day / Would quake to loot on," (3.2. 397–399). Hamlet hesitates numerous times to fulfill his duty to avenge his father, and
in the end he must actually convince himself to kill Claudius. "... I do not know / Why yet I live to say 'This thing's to do', / Sith I have cause, and
will, and strength, and means / To do't... / ... / O, from this time forth, / My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!" (4.4. 43–46, 65–66). This unusual
flaw leads to Hamlet's inevitable demise, and is the most convincing evidence that Hamlet is, indeed, a tragedy. The protagonist, however, is not the
only character in the play that experiences a want for revenge. Shakespeare uses all three of the sons seeking vengeance to reveal the complexity of the
human yearning for

Essay on Revenge in Hamlet
Revenge in Hamlet
It is natural human instinct for a son to feel offended over the death of his father. So is the instance of the two young princes, both spurned by the
sudden death of King Hamlet toward destinies of avenging fallen fathers, which emerge to permit comparisons in Shakespeare's great tragedy Hamlet.
In the first act of the play Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, both are fatherless heirs whose uncles occupy the throne of
their respected countries. Both princes seek revenge for the events relating to the death of their fathers while their uncles and kings oppose their
nephews, plotting to accomplish their own objectives. However, by what is learned in the brief sidelined accounts of...show more content...
Whereas Fortinbras directs his vengeance toward a target outside his family and country, Hamlet's enemy is exposed within the very core of Denmark,
his own family. As a ghost from the grave, King Hamlet returns to reveal to his son that Claudius, the king's very brother caused his death by pouring
poison into his ear while he slept. This earth quaking news is compounded with the recent marriage of now King Claudius to Hamlet's short mourning
mother, Gertrude. If the offenses of treason, parricide murder, and adultery were not enough to incite Hamlet to avenge his father, the ghost gives a
fourth reason. This unexpected death was most untimely for King Hamlet because he had not repented for the sins he had accumulated throughout his
life; thus, a sentence of suffering in purgatory withholds his entrance to heaven. Unlike Prince Fortinbras's goal of seeking retribution by recovering
what was lost upon his father's death, the ghost of King Hamlet calls his son to avenge him for deeds and responsibilities that remained even after his
life left his body. For "this most foul, strange, and unnatural"(1.5.29) murder Prince Hamlet pledges to avenge his father by killing his uncle, king, and
mother's husband, Claudius, without harming the Queen.
By gathering "a list of lawless resolutes for food and diet to some enterprise that hath a stomach in 't, which is no other..." Fortinbras sought to
accomplish

Revenge in Shakespeare's Hamlet Essay
Revenge in Shakespeare's Hamlet
In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses revenge as a major theme present throughout the work. Revenge plays a crucial role in the development of Fortinbras,
Prince of Norway, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and Laertes, son of Polonius. All three men seek revenge for the murder of their fathers. Revenge can
be interpreted as a separate character in Hamlet. Revenge is set to overcome anyone who seeks it. Initially, after each of the murders, every son had a
definite course of action to obtain vengeance. Or in Hamlet's case the choice was to seek no vengeance. As the play unfolds, each young man
approaches the desire for revenge and chooses a different path towards gaining it based on the guidance of another character in...show more content...
Although deeply sorrowed by his father?s death, he did not consider payback as an option until he meets with the ghost of his father. The ghost tells
Hamlet King Claudius, his own brother, murdered him. The ghost then tells Hamlet ?to revenge his foul and most unnatural murder? (I.v.25). Although
murder was an acceptable form of revenge in Hamlet?s time he is uncertain about killing Claudius. However, upon his father?s command, Hamlet
reluctantly swears to retaliate against Claudius. Hamlet does this not because he wants to, but because his father makes it clear that it is his duty as a
son. Hamlet promises to prove his love and duty by killing Claudius.
Hamlet, unlike Fortinbras and Laertes, did not follow what his advisor told him without questioning why he should take the advice. As time passes,
Hamlet still has not acted out the revenge he promised his father. Out of disgust for his irreverence for his father he says, ?why, what an ass am I!
This is most brave, that I, the son of a dear father murdered, prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, must like a whore, unpack my heart with
words and fall a–cursing like a very drab? (II.ii.594–598). This statement prompts one to believe Hamlet has been convinced by his father?s words to
act, but does not want to do so hastily. Hamlet questions the validity of his revenge by devising a plan to provide evidence of King Claudius? guilt.
Hamlet took advantage of his position at the local theater by instructing his actors

Revenge in Hamlet Essay
In his play Hamlet, William Shakespeare frequently utilizes the word "revenge" and images associated with this word in order to illustrate the idea
that the pursuit of revenge has caused the downfall of many people. He builds up the idea that revenge causes people to act recklessly through anger
rather than reason. In Hamlet, Fortinbras, Laertes and Hamlet all seek to avenge the deaths of their fathers. Hamlet and Laertes manage to avenge their
father's deaths and in doing so, both rely more on their emotions rather than their reasoning, which eventually leads to their downfalls at the end of
Hamlet. As the play begins, Hamlet is in a grieving period over the death of his father. What makes it worse is that only a few...show more content...
This interaction alone sets in place the course of events which would lead to revenge being a method of downfall to prince Hamlet and Laertes for
seeking and attaining revenge for their father's deaths. Although Hamlet knows well enough that he must avenge his fathers' death, the action of
revenge does not come easily to him. Hamlet throughout Hamlet is contemplating the revenge for his father's death. Hamlet is indecisive, hesitant,
and contemplative yet at other times impulsive. He is still, as it is, being influenced by his reason taking into consideration that Hamlet is a scholar.
He does not act upon his feelings immediately but decides to investigate further on the suspicions he has about Claudius and his fathers' death. This
attitude tends to make Hamlet procrastinate and only until he has done away with his scholastic characters will he actually play out his Acton.
Hamlet begins to react upon his feelings and does away with his reason as he says to the ghost that he will do away with all knowledge and memory
and keep within his mind the want to revenge his fathers' murder. "Yea, from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, All saws
of books, all forms, all pressures past That youth and observation copied there, And thy commandment all alone shall live", (1.5.96–103). Hamlet
begins to exhibit the argued theme that revenge causes people to act recklessly

Hamlet Theme Of Revenge Essay
The play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare follows Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, following the death of his father. Just months after his sudden
death, his uncle Claudius has taken the throne that once belonged to his father and has married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. It is when Hamlet meets
his father's ghost one night and discovers that his father was murdered by Claudius that he begins to take part in the main theme of the play: revenge.
In order for there to be revenge, the act of punishing someone who has done something wrong in one's eyes, three things are needed: a motive, the
expression that he wants revenge, and the carrying out of the act. If each aspect is successfully fulfilled, then there is a theme of revenge. The first thing
This establishes Hamlet's relationship with his father because he is taking his time to deal with his father's death because it is hard for him, showing
that they had a strong relationship with one another, contrast to his mother who has remarried just months after. When he meets his father's ghost he is
told: 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchid, A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death Rankly abused.
But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown. (1.5.32–40) where his father explains that he was not
bitten by a poisonous snake, like Hamlet was told was the cause of his death, but was instead murdered by whomever "wear his crown" (1.5.32),
which is Hamlet's uncle, Claudius. It is Hamlet's relationship with his father, someone whom he loved dearly, and his reaction to his death, causing it to
be hard for him, that shows that he would have reason to want revenge on whomever killed him for participating in the most terrible act anyone can:
murder. What makes revenge different from simply getting angry and "getting back" at someone is that they have to express a want for revenge prior
to carrying out the act. This would require Hamlet to display his craving for revenge following his discovery that his father was murdered, giving him
time

Essay On Revenge In Hamlet
Revenge is the, "exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit."(Dictionary.com) Meaning,
getting back at someone because of something they did that affected you in a way. In William Shakespeare's Tragic themed play, "Hamlet", the theme
of revenge is the driving factor within the plot. Hamlet seeks revenge for his slain father and in the process, he leaves many people dead, including
himself. Some may argue that prince Hamlet went to far seeking revenge whereas others claim he found just this. Hamlet does not fully get to
experience justice due to the fact that he pushed himself to murder. Justice and revenge go hand in hand due to the fact that an act for revenge is
not always an act of justice. Seeking revenge can be a way to find justice but revenge is a never ending cycle however in Hamlet's case, because he
drove himself to die for his cause, no one really got to enjoy his justice. In the eyes of society, it is wrong to murder for personal gain however in the
case of hamlet, in his perspective, he achieved justice however, there are multiple ways he could have found the results he wanted to see with an
entirely different outcome. At the beginning of the play, Hamlet returns to Denmark, only to find out that his father was murdered and his mother
married his uncle, King Hamlet's brother, Claudius. A little later, Hamlet finds that his father's ghost is still able to communicate with him and the
ghost says,

Revenge In Hamlet Essay
William Shakespeare "Hamlet is a poem illustrating a prince seeking revenge over his father tragic death. Hamlet the prince is left clueless who
killed his father's until some night watcher gave him some news about a ghost that looked like his dead father. Hamlet decides to go see the ghost for
himself and is shocked what the ghost has said to him. The murder of his father was no accident from a snake, but instead Hamlet father was the
murder from his uncle, Claudius, the new king of Denmark. Hamlet becomes angry at Claudius for killing his father and is also angry at his mother,
Gertrude, for betraying his and marrying Claudius. Hamlet begins to act insane because he wants to distract the people around him so he can fulfill his
revenge of the murder of his father.
In the poem Hamlet begins to have an insane attitude when tries to seek revenge. At first Hamlet begins to act that he is crazy but it slow begin to
affect him. A first example is when Hamlet begins to have a couple of suicidal thoughts. Shakespeare writes;
"O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!
Or the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon ' gainst self–slaughter! O God! O God!" (Shakespeare, 1529).
In these lines Hamlet has a thought of committing suicide, but realizes he would disobey God's command. According to an article by Andrew he
says; "Far from evincing an acceptance of death or a belief in its religious purpose, Hamlet continues instead to view life and death as sickening
and pointless. Nor does Hamlet seem to have overcome the flaws in temperament which have beset him since the beginning of the
play"(Foley,2012) Hamlet does not appreciate his own life and claims a person's life is worthless. A next example of Hamlet insane behavior is
when he kills Polonius. After killing Polonius, Hamlet has no feeling for his action he committed and also says; Nay, I know not:/ Is it the king?
(Shakespeare, 1578). Readers realize that Hamlet is not in his right mind for not feeling guilty of murdering someone. The third example is Hamlet not
caring about his own life. In the first act Hamlet goes and follows the ghost, but Horatio warns him about that happened. Hamlet decides to not listen
and says;' Why,

Essay On Hamlet And Revenge
Losing someone can cause you to do unspeakable things, in the heat of the moment grief can fuel the need for revenge, but an eye for an eye leaves
everyone blind. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet and 'Gladiator' directed by Riley Scott both antagonists fuel the protagonists to seek revenge.
Hamlet's quest for revenge is initiated by the death of his father in the same way that Maximus' revenge began with the death of his wife and son.
Hamlets plot for revenge begins with the demise of his father. " So art thou to revenge when thou shall hear." 1.5.25 In this quoteHamlet discovers the
ghost is his father and his death was murder. Once hamlet is made aware of who the murder is the ghost then helps him plan how he will get his
comeuppance towards his uncle. This scene is a stepping stone to the plot due to the fact Hamlet discovers that he is talking to his father and that he
must avenge his father's death. The ghost enlightens hamlet to information he otherwise would not have known. Hamlet begins to act differently in
order to follow through on his plan. " though this is madness, yet there is method in't" 2.2.195. Hamlet gives off a fake persona in which he is
insane, well knowing no one would suspect him to be a murder. Hamlet uses this knowledge to outsmart most of Denmark allow the loss of his father
to be his reasoning towards how he is now mad. Hamlet was extremely close to his father knowing he was murdered forced hamlet to take action
similarly Maximus lives only for

Why Is Revenge Important In Hamlet
Revenge is a recurring theme in Hamlet. Although Hamlet wants to avenge his father's death, he is afraid of what would result from this. In the play
Hamlet, Hamlet's unwillingness to revenge appears throughout the text; Shakespeare exhibits this through Hamlet's realization that revenge is not the
right option, Hamlet's realization that revenge is the same as the crime which was already committed, and his understanding that to revenge is to
become a "beast" and to not revenge is as well (Kastan 1). According to David Scott Kastan in "Hamlet and the Imitation of Revenge" Hamlet is
concerned that he will leave a "wounded name" behind (1). What Hamlet fails to realize is that his name is already "wounded" because his father was
murdered....show more content...
The revenger is not allowed to develop a plan of action and is only allowed to re–enact the original crime (Kastan 2). As Kastan acknowledges,
"Hamlet's delay may be understood as his resistance to accept his imitative relation" (2). This means that although Hamlet wants to avenge his
father's death, he realizes it is not the right thing to do. It is only when Hamlet assures himself that revenge is "a mode of restoration rather than
reprisal" that he can try to execute his plan, still acknowledging the inescapable relation he would have as a villain and avenger (Kastan 2). Hamlet
ultimately believes that to revenge is to become a "beast" but to not revenge is also to be a "beast" (Kastan 3). According to Kastan, "Hamlet is
prevented from enacting his revenge by the discomforting ratios that his literary imitations generate" (4). He is also stopped from executing his
revenge because of his inability to separate himself from his father, to be different from what generated him (Kastan 4). By this point, Hamlet is no
longer caught between whether to avenge his father or not, it is that he no longer realizes whether he is doing this for his father or for himself. When
Hamlet finally does kill Claudius, he does it to avenge not his father, but himself (Kastan 4). "Hamlet dies with no word of the father he has sworn to
remember" writes David Scott Kastan, "The act he finally

Define Revenge In Hamlet Essays

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