The theme of Revenge has been utilized in numerous works of art throughout history, including books, plays, movies, etc. Revenge is the result of one’s desire for vengeance, however, revenge is known to be implied under high emotions of anger thus not with reason concluding with a horrible outcome. Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’ is no doubt a play about a tragedy caused by revenge; Prince Hamlet’s retribution for his father, King Hamlet’s murder and Laertes vengeance for his father, Polonius’ murder. The theme of revenge in Hamlet is portrayed through various literary techniques such as foreshadowing and irony.
Foreshadowing is the warning or indication that the audience receives through certain actions or phrases about a future event. Shakespeare applies foreshadowing in his play as it generates a mysterious and unpredictable atmosphere with an unsettled mindset. As early as in Act 1 Scene 2, the viewers are introduced with the line “Foul deeds will rise, though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes. (Line 257)”, when prince Hamlet discovers about the ‘ghost’ of King Hamlet. Revenge is represented through this line as it makes the audience contemplate on that someone is going to die or be killed afterwards in the play even though the play has just begun.
Prince Hamlet’s anger is observed for the duration of the whole play. The anger itself speaks of revenge with the help of foreshadowing when Hamlet’s mother Gertrude and Step-Father/Uncle King Claudius attempt to reason
In William Shakespeare 's revenge tragedy play Hamlet, the prevailing themes of revenge, madness, and morality were recognized by the Elizabethan audience and appealed to them. The play 's central focus is on a young prince, Hamlet, who has gone through many challenges to avenge his father 's death. Prince Hamlet got his revenge on his deceitful uncle, Claudius, the same man who murdered his father and married Hamlet 's mother. From the original text of the play, a major scene in Act 4 shows where Hamlet decides that it 's time for vengeance, expressing it in a soliloquy. This scene would have appealed to the Elizabethan audience because they would observe Hamlet 's thoughts. In addition, the soliloquy would have expanded on the theme of revenge, and how it would affect the final scene. Finally, by emphasizing the theme of morality in his speech, it would have the audience to make connections towards their own consciousness. Shakespeare 's Hamlet successfully targets the Elizabethan audience in Hamlet 's speech from Act IV.
Quintessentially speaking, revenge is a thing that many have sought in response to a tragic event unfolding. Typically, as a result, vengeance is contemplated upon by the victim as a means of retribution, a way of making things right and seeking justice on the behest of the victim, if the law will not grant justice through due process due to corrupt forces stemmed deep within it- corrupt seeds of a corrupt plant. Therefore, revenge become an apparent option for those willing to walk that path [of no return]. However, instances of revenge not being attained in the “clear cut” way it is ordinarily acquired have occurred from time to time throughout history. One of the most prominent examples of unconventional revenge attainment can be found within the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, entailing the revenge path walked by its eponymously named main character, Prince Hamlet. Specifically, his intentful delay in attaining his revenge against his uncle Claudius for his direct role in the death of his father, King Hamlet. This literary conundrum has dumbfounded literary critics for over 400 years and counting- due to the fact that a universally accepted consensus amongst them as well as the general public as to why Hamlet delayed his revenge has not yet been reached.
Shakespeare 's portrayal of Hamlet 's revenge is not a worthy journey because he never finds his self worth, distracted between what will exemplify his purpose, and what will make him a failure in the memory of Denmark.
Shakespeare’s play tells of how Hamlet’s need for revenge affected his relationships. Hamlet’s revenge has put his relationships with Polonius, Ophelia, Laertes, Gertrude and even Claudius in very dangerous positions. Hamlet feels that what he has done justifies him being right to achieve vengeance, but in reality what he has done to justify his revenge is not an act of honor for his ruthlessness. Hamlet has not taken into consideration what pain it has caused for his family and the people he knows. Hamlet does not know what the ending of all his situations will cause for the future to come.
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is very evident that hatred and a thirst for revenge can turn people into something that they are not. Many characters throughout this story exemplify this, but the main two are Hamlet and Laertes. This theme of revenge is established throughout the whole play and it acts as a vital character. Revenge is seen as a cause for many outcomes. Hamlet pursues revenge on Claudius to avenge his father 's death. Gertrude is targeted by Hamlet for wedding Claudius too quickly after the death of her husband. He also reprimands herfor her participation in his murder. Finally, Laertes pursues Hamlet to avenge his father, Polonius ' death. Shakespeare does this through intense suspense, vivid imagery, and through the character’s phrasing.
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, regularly just called Hamlet, is a catastrophe composed by William Shakespeare somewhere around 1599 and 1602. Village is Shakespeare 's longest play and conveys a standout amongst the most acclaimed lines ever, "regarding life, what to think about it." The story is set in the Kingdom of Denmark and recounts the vengeance Prince Hamlet has on his uncle Claudius. Claudius killed his own sibling, Hamlet 's dad and assumed control over the throne. Claudius likewise weds Hamlet 's mom, Gertrude. Retribution, being the main impetus in the play is additionally one motivation behind why it is a catastrophe.
Supporting characters are often looked at as impractical and unnecessary, however they are just as important as major characters. Supporting characters help influence the way the main characters act and what they do. Minor characters not only make the main characters more meaningful, but they also help to develop and drive the plot. Ophelia, falling victim to the neglect and abuse of the other characters and depending solely on the men in her life, becomes the only character who truly becomes mad. Polonius’ concern with how others perceive him, along with his selfishness ultimately leads to him driving his children further away from him thus leaving Claudius with more power. Claudius uses manipulation, corruption and destruction of the lives of the innocent to stay in power, and in doing so; he is the epitome of all evil events that occur. In the tragedy Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the plot of the play obtains added mystery and dramatic appeal due to the complexity of the supporting characters, which propel the play to move forward.
Revenge has caused the downfall of many a person. Its consuming nature causes one to act recklessly through anger rather than reason. Revenge is an emotion easily rationalized; one turn deserves another. However, this is a very dangerous theory to live by. Throughout Hamlet, revenge is a dominant theme. Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet all seek to avenge the deaths of their fathers. But in so doing, all three rely more on emotion than thought, and take a very big gamble, a gamble which eventually leads to the downfall and death of all but one of them. King Fortinbras was slain by King Hamlet in a sword battle. This entitled King Hamlet to the land that was possessed by Fortinbras because it was written in a seal 'd compact. "…our valiant Hamlet-for so this side of our known world esteem 'd him-did slay this Fortinbras." Young Fortinbras was enraged by his father’s murder and sought revenge against Denmark. He wanted to reclaim the land that had been lost to Denmark when his father was killed. "…Now sir, young Fortinbras…as it doth well appear unto our state-but to recover of us, by strong hand and terms compulsative, those foresaid lands so by his father lost…" Claudius becomes aware of Fortinbras’ plans, and in an evasive move, sends a message to the new King of Norway, Fortinbras’ uncle.
“Hamlet” nonetheless shows that revenge is achieved through paying a deadly price. Instead of Hamlet acting out his revenge successfully without losing anything and ending up with a happy ending, Hamlets act of revenge
When reading any article, novel or play, readers are always looking for different themes in the literature, sometimes even unknowingly. By the end of the reading, there is typically one standout theme greatly representing the plot and the characters. Readers must understand the deeper meaning of the writing and discover which theme in their opinion impacted the play the most. Furthermore, it is very important that the author often leaves much of the story open to interpretation. Shakespeare was particularly fond of allowing his audience and his readers the freedom to interpret the deeper meaning of his work. Of the many themes in the play “Hamlet”, the concept of memory is the most
The feeling of revenge is a very strong and powerful tool that could be used on anyone, but if it is not used properly, it could cause destruction between blood and friendship. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, many of the characters in the play are bound to restore the family’s honor by demanding vengeance. After the death of Hamlet’s father; he become so obsessed with the idea of revenge would be the only solution to avenge his father’s murderer. Throughout the play, the impression of revenge has closely drawn Hamlet with the ideas of spirituality, truth, and uncertainty that death would bring the answers to Hamlet’s deepest questions, if his uncle is the one that kill his father. He could have killed Claudius, but he wasn’t sure if Claudius really did murder his father. Hamlet thirst for revenge
With underlying themes of revenge, incest, and suicide, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet was remembered by many Elizabethan Era viewers as both a philosophical and oft-debated masterpiece (Dickson). These controversial themes attracted viewers everywhere, enticing them to see the play. One scene in particular from the original text of the play where this proves true is act IV, scene iv, lines 31-65, in which the titular character Hamlet decides that the time for revenge is at hand in an insightful soliloquy. The audience would have been attracted to the scene because they would receive a moral insight into Hamlet’s mind, revealing his true thoughts. It also would have expanded on the theme of revenge, and how this theme would affect the
Can revenge really bring happiness? Harming and getting back at someone for upsetting you or “doing you wrong”. It’s the ultimate win, right? Wrong. Revenge is an irrepressible craving that devours the mind and creates a never ending cycle of pain and grief. “But isn’t it said that revenge is sweet?” says nearly every person in modern day society. Wrong again. We’re obsessed with the belief that revenge is what solves the issue, when in reality; it’s only ridding you of your morals and bringing yourself to their level. Media, movies and music ensure that getting that last bit of “sweet” vengeance is what settles the difference. But what happens afterwards? Eternal happiness? An amazing life knowing that you took that last swing, that last act of spite that ensures your health, sanity, and morality, right? After reading and analyzing Shakespeare’s infamous play, Hamlet, it turns out that there’s more to revenge than just the immediate benefits that are reaped. It’s a play that revolves around Prince Hamlet’s ultimate revenge against his uncle and new King, Claudius, for his father, the late King Hamlet. When King Hamlet’s ghost appears in front of Hamlet, he initiates the thirst for revenge. "So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear"-- Act 1:Scene 5 This leads to Hamlet’s demise and temporary insanity. Although Hamlet’s beliefs in heaven and hell, sin and morality, and God and the Devil are strong, he is ultimately overcome by evil. His thirst for
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,
William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ is characterised as a tragedy, illustrating an abundance of significant themes, with one of the most important ideas being revenge. Revenge is defined as an action of hurting somebody in return for something that has been done unjustly wrong. The main character, Hamlet, continuously reflects on revenge throughout the play, particularly in his soliloquies. Nevertheless, he has been procrastinating, talking about the situation, but not demonstrating it. In an honour code, it displays coward-like qualities. Revenge is effectively represented in ‘Hamlet’, as it allows to develop a strong understanding of human strengths and frailties. This is because it represents the different forms of deceptive plots that result in the situation of death. This is clearly evident in Hamlet’s interaction with his father’s ghost, convincing him to murder Claudius for revenge, which extends into the play that is acted out, proving that he is the murderer of his father. Also, Hamlet’s third and most famous soliloquy provides the reader with a reflection on death in his melancholic state of mind, and Hamlet also refrains from killing Claudius as he is praying and decides to kill him at another time.