The Theme of Revenge in Hamlet - Critical Essay

Introduction

Revenge is an odd idea. It's been around since the beginning of time. It's called an Eye for an Eye. You hit back harder if someone hits you. The play's overarching theme is revenge. It shows the power of revenge to bring about change. Hamlet sees revenge as a good act of vengeance. He must do it to get his father's forgiveness. It is not just the act of revenge. There are many layers to this kind of revenge. There are several pivotal turning points in the play that make revenge clear and show what it can do to people, particularly Hamlet. Hamlet believes that revenge is necessary in order to protect honor. Therefore, Hamlet's decision to take revenge was justified. Hamlet seeks revenge because of his existentialism. If we look at his outlook on life, we can see that he doesn't believe regular society has the right to determine morality or its role in making morality decisions. Hamlets existentialism makes it possible for his actions to be amplified, elevated, and finally, he justifies his actions.

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Act 1, scene 1. Hamlet speaks to his father in ghost form and learns that his father was killed by Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle and father’s brother. Revenge his unnatural and foul murder. (1.5, 25,) This is Hamlet's first existential crisis. Hamlet is given an order from his father to kill his killer. Hamlet was determined to exact revenge for the horrible murder. Hamlet believes that he'll feel relieved, relieved and internally motivated by avenging the father. This quote shows that Hamlet doesn't fear killing anyone and is happy. This quote shows that revenge is evident throughout the play and will be a significant factor in what the characters want. It's not that easy. Hamlets' morals are harmed by murder, and so he goes to hell. So I am vengeful. This would be scan. That would be scanned. Hamlet's quest for revenge should not be questioned. Hamlet wants Claudius to be punished for his actions towards Hamlet's father.

Claudius doesn't want him to have the pleasure of going to heaven or having a happy afterlife, since he was killed praying. Hamlet demands that he pay. Hamlet does not, throughout the play, act on the father's murder. Act 2, scene two, Hamlet says that he hasn’t done anything. That I, the dear son murdered, was provoked to my revenge by heaven or hell. Must, like an alcoholic, unpack my heart and speak. And then fall a-cursing as a very drab. A scullion! Fie upon 't, foh! (2.2, 545) Hamlet can only act through his emotions. In his soliloquy, Hamlet pours forth his heart at the end. He admits to his inadequacies in the task his father asked him to perform. Hamlet views himself as an ass and is conflicted. O cursed spite! Let's get together, Nay! (1.5,190). Murder is still against Hamlet’s morals but this is contrary to what Hamlet is asked his father. It is also important to understand the reasons for the controversy. His father was viewed by him as a strong, fair and noble King. My mother was so loving (1.2, 140), which is why Hamlet was so desperate for revenge.

Hamlet realizes that every action in one's life is meaningless as he fights against morality. Alexander [the Great] was laid to rest, Alexander returns to dust, and the dust is earth. Of earth we make loam (5.1,190). Even the King of Macedonia and Conqueror are dead. He is now dirt, which is useless unless you stop up a hole. He accepts the fact that there is neither heaven nor hell or an afterlife. If your dead, your dead. At this point, Hamlet will abandon his morals and continue his plot to kill King. Hamlet develops depression over the course the play as a consequence of his inadequacy.

The most important silique in Hamlet can tell a lot about his character: To be or not to be. This is the question: Is it nobler to suffer the arrows and slings of fortune? Or to arm yourself against the sea of troubles? And to oppose them? To die, to go to sleep, and to have a rest to end the night (3.1, 57-63) Hamlet was forced to take revenge for Hamlet's duty. He considers how simple it would be to end his troubles and kill himself. Hamlet plays with the idea of suicide as a way to not get revenge, even though it is a sin. Hamlet's motivations to inflict injury on another person for wrong done to them is because Hamlet feels that nobody is on his side. His mother betrayed him and told Hamlet, "Good Hamlet", that she had cast off her nighted color. And that your eye should look like one on Denmark. All life must end, (1.2, 70). Hamlet's mother tells him that death is inevitable. She has no sympathy for Hamlet, who just lost her father and was even more hurt when he was killed. The ghost of King Hamlet says "That incestuous and that adulterate beast" (1.5.49), implying that she has never loved Hamlet, cheated on him while he was alive and used him to gain power and wealth. Gertrude makes Hamlet feel guilty for grieving the death of his father. (1.2, 75), asking why this is so important or special to you. He feels his mother isn't interested in him or his deceased father.

Claudius and Gertrude feel Hamlet are attacking him. Claudius then tells Hamlet to do obsequious sadness. However, to persist In stubborn condolement is a path Of impious stubbornness. It is unmanly grief. Claudius tells Hamlet to face the fact that everyone dies and not be a coward. Claudius wants Hamlet now to see himself as his father figure, and King. Hamlet's revenge on Claudius is justifiable for many reasons. One reason being that he asked God for forgiveness and asked - May one be pardoned but retain the offense? (3.3, 55). No, one can't be pardoned. If one asks for forgiveness but isn't able to accept any responsibility, they don't deserve it. Claudius deserves his fate.

Rosencrantz, Queen and Guildenstern are sent by the King and Queen to observe Hamlet and find out why he is acting crazy. Hamlet hadn’t seen Guildenstern and Rosencrantz in a while, but they were old friends. Hamlet instantly realizes why they came. You, my lord. There is no other occasion. (2.2, 259) Hamlet is aware that they lie and fears that they might be betraying him and working for King and Queen. The King and Queen asked Rosencrantz to bring Hamlet to England after Polonius' death. They also sent a letter informing Hamlet that he would be killed. Rosencrantz, Guildenstern claim they don't work for the King but in fact they do. Hamlet is irritated by his friends and alters the letter to send Rosencrantz to his death. This shows how Hamlet's views on other people are diminished after he has rejected his morals. Their deaths are a reminder of the negative effects that revenge can have on people. They were in a position between Hamlet, their friend, and the King and Queen who had complete power at the time and could execute anyone at any time.

Shakespeare's use the two side characters played an important role in Hamlet's mind changing over the course the play. Unlike Hamlet who delayed executing his revenge, Laertes does exactly the opposite. That both the worlds I give up to negligence. Let it come, but I will be most thoroughly vengeful for my father. (4.5, 108) Laertes was in France at the time his father died. He immediately returned to Denmark. Like Hamlet, Laertes was grieving for his sister and father, but Laertes promises, "But my revenge will come." (4.7, 29). He promises revenge because, unlike Hamlet, Laertes does not have the same morals he must overcome to get vengeance. Because he was in a relationship with Ophilia, Laertes' sister, he already had bad blood. Laertes father Polonius, a noble father, and his sister, Stood Challenger on Mount of all the ages. He praised their perfections and now Laertes must feel recompensed. The only way to do this is through revenge.

These characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, are used by William Shakespeare as fascinating characters in his play. Hamlet attempts to put his suffering down on Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and their betrayal. Rosencrantz, Guildenstern are unable to trust Hamlet because he was once crossed by his mother and uncle. Hamlet's existentialism and lack of morality led him to act in the way he did. The King and Queen would have executed them if they had told Hamlet that they were spying on him. Hamlet, Revenge is a play that focuses on revenge as a whole.

Conclusion

There are many things that can be learned from this theme, such as why revenge is necessary and what its consequences are. The only thing that could be achieved in Shakespeare's Hamlet was revenge. It is possible to justify it, but the play concludes that revenge is bad. It's not just a play theme or an action the characters take throughout the play. Revenge plays a larger role in Shakespeare's writing style and in one's struggle to follow their morals. Shakespeare's creative genius and knowledge enabled his plays to display complex character archetypes.

Hamlet, for example, had many things going on in his personal life. His girlfriend left him, his father was killed by his uncle, and Hamlet's mother remarried. This allows us to understand why Hamlet waited so long for his revenge. It is not just that Hamlet wanted Claudius dead because he was wrong. While this is true in a certain sense, it isn't the whole theme of Hamlet.