Theme of Revenge in William Shakespeares Play Hamlet Essay Example for Free

solution of Revenge in William Shakespeares Play hamlet EssayShakespeares Hamlet is a complex contri exclusivelye whither umteen themes are intertwined themes that are essential to the learning of the play. The issue of death and disease, both physical and emotional is re all in ally prevalent throughout the duration of the play, as well as fate and divine intervention. The play also pointions madness and whether it pot be feigned, as well as corruption and its moral implications. Also the To be or not to be soliloquy, where Hamlet not only questions life and death, but many of lifes different uncertainties as well. see morehamlet thesis statementsHowever, the most important theme in the development of Hamlet is revenge and question Does revenge yield? Revenge is a frighteningly bloodthirsty emotion, which causes state to act blindly and without reason. Revenge is a theme that is cleverly built upon throughout the extent of the play with it being the driving force b ehind two of the chief(prenominal) characters in the play.The play is introduced by the coming into court of the ghost of Hamlets father in the first scene, which automatically gives the impression that something is amiss. This is later clarified by the statement Something is rotten in the state of Denmark (I.iv). The ghost materialises before Hamlet suggesting that his death was not as inbred as it may first provoke seemed. The ghost requests Hamlet to Revenge my foul and most stirred clear up (I.v) and points him towards the murderer with The serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown (I.v).This indicates that King Hamlet murder was committed by his brother, Claudius, who had now taken over as King of Denmark. The Ghost taunts Hamlet, telling him that it is discontinue of every mans honour to penalize his death. Hamlet agrees to revenge his death, but his mind is still full of many doubts, and he just thinks scraggy what he testament do, rather than act ually do it. However, when the time for legal action comes, it is the beginning of a ferocious cycle of hatred, death and revenge, which ultimately consumes all those who use it.Hamlets doubts cause him to deflect about his promise to the ghost, and finally to determine if the ghost was true, he attempts to prove Claudius guilt. He creates a play, The mousetrap and it is performed in court. The Mousetrap recreates a similar scenario as the atomic number 53 that had occurred whenHamlets father was murdered. Hamlet was watching for a reaction from Claudius to see if he really was the vile murderer. Subsequent to the Kings outburst after watching the performance, Hamlet confronts his mother and began to insult her betrayal of her first husband. Mean patch the meddling fool, Polonius, was hiding behind a arrange rug that was adorning the wall in Gertrudes room. Hamlet sensed his presence and thinking that it was Claudius, plunged his dagger through the rug.This heady action causes much grief and sadness for many people. Hamlet, after Ophelias betrayal of him, acts rudely to her, lying about his love for her and suggesting some inappropriate comments to her, mocking her for a whore. This, joined with her fathers death causes her to go mad and finally drown herself. This was a particularly tragic death because the virginal Ophelia was just an innocent by nominateer in a cruel plot for revenge. Also hurt was Polonius son, Laertes. Laertes believes that it was Claudius that killed his father, but the king quickly puts Laertes on Hamlets trail and pushes him to avenge his fathers murder. From this point on, Hamlet and Laertes become the main characters in the play two characters driven by a blind revenge.Despite this, Hamlet continues only to speak about his plans for revenge, and never acts until the last scene. At one stage Hamlet had a perfect chance to kill Claudius whilst he was praying but chose not to because doing so would have meant that Claudius would be sent to heaven, rather than hell. Hamlet wonders about that idea, saying that Now he is prayinga villain kills my father and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. (III.iii) Hamlet thinks that patience will pay off for him in the long run, but unfortunately for him this is not so, and it causes an even greater tragedy.It is not until figure V that revenge brings the play together. In Scene ii, Hamlet explains to Horatio how he had been sent to his death in England. In a moment of brilliance, Hamlet substitutes the letter from one demanding his death, to one demanding the execution of Rosencrantz and Guildenstem. Hamlet sees no immorality in this action he simply sees it as part of hisrevenge on Claudius, and he does not feel for them as they sided with the enemy, other than himself. They were just sponges.Upon arriving back in Denmark, Hamlet is challenged to a duel with Laertes, who is still powered by the need to avenge his fathers death. Hamlet acc epts this as he knows he is break off than Laertes. Prior to the duel, Hamlet attempts to apologise to Laertes, blaming the murder on his madness. Laertes, who is still blinded by his quest for revenge, accepts Hamlets apology, but says he must retain his honour. He tells Hamlet that I am satisfied in nature, whose motives in this case should stir me most to my revenge but in terms of honour I stand aloof I do receive your offered love like love and will not faulty it. (V.ii) The pair prepare for their duel, and Laertes selected an unbaited sword with a poisoned tip. This shows that Laertes was still not thinking straight because he would have realised that choosing such a sword could proved dangerous for him as well.During the fight Laertes struck a blow against Hamlet with the tip of his poisoned sword, but the duel continues and the swords get swapped. The next hit was made by Hamlet, who had the poisoned sword at that point in time. Just then the Queen collapses and the King attempts to cover it up by announcing that she doesnt like the sight of blood. The Queen denies this and tells the court that it was the drink O my dear Hamlet The drink, the drink. I am poisoned.(V.ii). At that point Laertes realises that he has been used by the King and tells Hamlet that he will soon die, because his sword was poisoned too, and that the King was to blame.Finally, Hamlet has set the scene for the revenge that he has been craving. He attacks the King, button him over, and picks up the poisoned wine. He forces it down the Kings throat, yelling Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother. Laertes dies, content that justice has been served. Hamlet himself dies soon after his revenge plot is finally complete, and so is Laertes. However, the price that was paid was large, the death of Polonius, Ophelia, Gertrude, Claudius, Laertes and Hamlet himself.The obsession and need for revenge displayed by the two main revenge characters eventually led them both to their downfall. Not only did they hurt themselves, but many others close to them. Ophelias death, for example could be blamed on Hamlets desire for revenge, whilst Hamlets death occurred as a result of Laertes quest to avenge his fathers death.Revenge shapes the entire plot of Hamlet and could be blamed for corrupting Hamlet and Laertes, devising them almost as evil as the person who started all the problems. Shakespeare highlights the moral implications of revenge, and how a person can be corrupted by their need for revenge. The somewhat clichd saying An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth is outlined perfectly in Hamlet. You cannot receive a punch, return a punch and then all be friends. The second that revenge is planned, a horrible chain that is almost impossible to break forms. The revenge, while completed, also caused many other problems in Denmark. The royal advisors family dead, the entire royal family dead, and the Norwegian foe, Fortinbras now takes over as King. Revenge does not pay, the price to achieve it is just way too high.