Examples Of Justice In Hamlet

Death Comes Along with Revenge Poetic justice is when characters get what they deserve. It can be an amazing reward for the good ones or a valid punishment for someone that has done evil to others. However, there are different ways to get justice: some may turn to God and others may turn to revenge as an option. “Revenge…is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence…” (Jeremy Taylor). Justice and revenge are important motifs in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Hamlet tells the story of three sons who all lose their fathers and turn to revenge for justice. The three young sons, Hamlet, Fortinbras and Laertes choose the path of revenge to find justice which ultimately leads to their

In the play Hamlet, Hamlet is willing to get justice strictly by revenge. The previous King, Hamlet Sr. was murdered; it was thought that the King’s death was caused by a snake bite. However, it became evident to Hamlet Jr. that his father was murdered by his very own brother. Hamlet found this information from the ghost of his father. Shortly after the passing of King Hamlet, Hamlet’s mother marries the murderer of her late husband. Though, it is unclear of the relationship Hamlet Jr. and his father had, the minute he finds out the way his dad was killed, he was enraged, full of hatred, and also in denial. Hamlet states that he would immediately avenge his father’s death. “Haste me to know’t; that I, with wings as swift/ As mediation or the thoughts of love/ May sweep to my revenge (1.5.29-31). Even though Hamlet said he would take revenge with no hesitation, that was not the outcome; he was rather slow and over-thinks every detail

Polonius, the father of Laertes was hiding in, Hamlet’s mothers room. Shortly after, Hamlet accidentally stabs Polonius thinking it was the king. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes is very quick to avenge his father’s death. Laertes says “Let come what comes; only I’ll be revenged/ Most thoroughly for my father (4.5.133-134). In other words, Laertes does not mind any obstacles that may come by, as long as he is getting revenge, that is all that matters. Eventually, King Claudius reveals to Laertes that Hamlet admits to the murder of his father. Claudius is doing this so Laertes can be the hands of his dirty work as he is unable to kill Hamlet himself. Upon finding out that his father was killed by Hamlet, Laertes now has an urge to kill Hamlet no matter what terms; he is desperately willing to kill Hamlet that he will do so in a church. “To cut his throat I’ the church” (4.1.128). Laertes is rather anxious to kill Hamlet than hesitant. Moreover, the relationship between Polonius and Laertes is an unfamiliar one. In the past, Laertes goes off to France and his father sends to spy on him. Polonius tells a servant to spread rumors about his son. ““And, in part, him”; but you may say, “not well/ But, if’d be he I mean, he’s very wild/ Addicted so and so…”” (2.1.17-19). It is unclear whether Polonius trusts his