Revenge In Hamlet Essay

Revenge in ShakespeareВґs Play Hamlet Essay
Hamlet and Laertes both contribute to the play main theme, revenge. Both characters dearly loved
their fathers, thats the reason for revenge. But, their love has been distorted and all they feel now
is a need for revenge for their fathers' deaths. But they cope with it differently. Hamlet knows who
killed his father, but does not take immediate action. Laertes is a little unclear on who is
responsible for his fathers death, but he takes immediate action to avenge him. "To hell, allegiance!
vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation: to this
point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes; only I'll be revenged most
thoroughly for my father." Laertes Act 4 Scene 5....show more content...
After Ophelia's death it afflicts both men. They are both deeply saddened. Hamlet is mostly enraged
and shocked by her death. Laertes is also enraged, but wants to seek revenge. One major difference
is their personalities. They are polar opposites. Hamlet was very concerned about right and wrong
and was very careful to plan out his revenge, he made sure before he acted. Allowing for deviousness
in planning his uncles death. Laertes very rash, not caring who fell to revenge his father. He
embodies action, while Hamlet embodies thought. Due to his insanity, Hamlet eventually becomes
rash, like Laertes. Both men loved their father and held them in high regard. Thats the reason why
they want to revenge their fathers. But, their "fathers" did not trust them.Both men had spies sent for
them from their "fathers". Both "fathers" have similar motivation to send spies to spy on their sons.
They do not trust their sons enough. Hamlet's uncle, "father figure", sent Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern to spy on him. They observe him to see if he
is a threat to Claudius. He does not even allow Hamlet to go back to the University of Wittenberg,
because he wants to keep a close eye on Hamlet. Claudius wants to know if Hamlet wants to take
the crown, just like Claudius did. Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. He sends Reynaldo to
see if he is doing anything dishonorable. Both men find out that they are being spied on and have the
same reaction. They are both
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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

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,

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

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 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...show more content...
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 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

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...show more content...
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,

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

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

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.

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 inHamlet
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 Queen Gertrude'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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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...show more content...
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 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 quote Hamlet 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

Revenge In Hamlet Essay

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