Revenge is a Major Theme in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' - Essay Sample

Introduction

Wrongdoings are usually reprimanded through the provision of justice. However, when justice is not served, some people endeavor to take action by themselves. Revenge is performed to provide the individual with satisfaction. Hamlet uses revenge as a catalyst to help in developing the play. Revenge is one of the major themes depicted in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been written based on the concept of revenge” (Dibattista). The argument is exhibited in the play majorly due to the death of a member of the family. The theme is majorly used in the play to develop the plot of the play. The play is made up of a protagonist who takes time planning about vengeance and not fulfilling it. The plot is driven by Hamlet, who plans on avenging the death of his father but delays performing it.

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Revenge is exhibited by characters such as the prince of Norway, Laertes, Hamlet, the son of Polonius, prince of Denmark, and Fortinbras. The theme is displayed in two primary forms in the play. The idea of revenge is, however, an evil undertaking that is responsible for causing individuals to behave in a manner portraying anger and temper. Retribution makes humans act without thinking correctly. The theme of revenge goes against the teachings of Christianity. It is because the Bible does not support retaliation and especially killing someone to take vengeance.

In Hamlet, revenge is exhibited in two significant ways. First, vengeance is displayed as an active form. The firm of retaliation is carried out by Laertes. In the play, Laertes exercises and seeks to exert revenge. It is because of the murder of his father. He comes back home and finds his father murdered by a sword. In his return, Laertes discovers Ophelia, his sister, on the edge of insanity as she does not comprehend the everyday events, and she eventually commits suicide. The circumstances drive Laertes to seek revenge due to the suicide committed by his sister. He directs the vengeance towards Hamlet, who had rejected Ophelia. Laertes puts his plans into action by involving Claudius. Laertes is consumed with retaliation that he does not realize that retribution won’t solve the problem. Laertes’ need for revenge makes him invite Hamlet to face him in a fencing match. Claudius, on the other hand, seeks vengeance to avoid discovery. He helps Laertes in murdering Hamlet.

Hamlet, on the other hand, revenge in the opposite way. His retaliation is exerted more subtly. Hamlet uses himself into vengeance after the appearance of his father’s ghost. Despite the availability of numerous opportunities for carrying out retribution by murdering his uncle, Hamlet does not go through with it. Hamlet uses the feature of a play within a play to reenact the murder of his father “The moment Hamlet adopts the mantle of avenger, Hamlet enters the role of the queer: the antisocial, death-driven, boundary-pushing outside” (Haque). It helped in the discovery of Claudius’ responsibility in the murder of his father. Hamlet, however, convinces himself not to kill his uncle at the particular moment and settles for another time because the moment he faces him, he finds Claudius praying. Hamlet’s need for revenge leads to the loss of lives of numerous individuals in the play, such as Ophelia and Polonius. His lack of actually killing Claudius makes him restless throughout the play. When he finally kills him, he is not satisfied with the revenge.

Hamlet’s revenge in the play is portrayed as delayed. It is because, despite the opportunities presented to him, he still does not kill his uncle. The first way at which it is suspended is trying to determine the guilty party. He does this by presenting a play in which there is the murder of his father. Hamlet identifies the murderer. It is because Claudius leaves in the middle of the play, and Hamlet is convinced of his death. He then further delays by planning how to exert revenge and when he finds Claudius praying, he reconsiders killing him, thinking he will go to heaven “Again, Hamlet delayed of killing Claudius when he was praying. Hamlet thought it would be a great mistake if he kills Claudius now as he was in prayer” (Dibattista). The postponement of retaliation is catastrophic to both Hamlet and other individuals, such as Polonius, who he murders as a mistake while communicating with his mother. Hamlet does not feel any remorse after killing Polonius and simply takes his body away. The murder of Polonius consequently leads to the death of Ophelia. It is because she commits suicide due to the murder of her father.

Hamlet is different in the way he exerts revenge. It is portrayed in the moments that he hesitates to commit murder. It is aimed at ensuring that he still has his integrity in place. The theme of revenge helps in developing the story through the character referred to as Fortinbras. He is known to exert and get his revenge towards the end of the play. He is a prince who wants vengeance because of the acquisition of his land, which was captured by King Hamlet. Fortinbras endeavors to get back his property, and he finally did. He is the only character who obtains a peaceful vengeance in which no murder is witnessed. The peaceful vengeance provided him the ability to enjoy the victory achieved from his revenge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the theme of revenge is essential in increasing the comprehension of Hamlet. In the play, the characters seek revenge against the harm done to them and their family. For instance, Hamlet his father’s death by killing Claudius. Laertes and Fortinbras also engage in vengeance. The characters conduct revenge, which does not end well for them as they end up dead.

Works Cited

Cantor, Paul. “Shakespeare: Hamlet.” Cambridge University Press, 2004. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=W-mfpfK4lUcC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=hamlet+shakespeare&ots=n6LnyX6lG7&sig=tkLW0PGvK41WgN-FLbcnrREnb_I&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=hamlet%20shakespeare&f=false

Haque, Farhana. “Revenge and vengeance in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: a study of Hamlet’s pursuit and procrastination regarding revenge.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, vol. 21, no. 9, pp. 55-59, 2016.

Dibattista, Michael, A. “Revenge most queer: Hamlet and vengeance.” University of Alaska Anchorage, 2017. 10.9790/0837-2109095559