How Does Shakespeare Use Revenge In Hamlet

When wronged, it is in human nature to punish those who wronged us, thus revenge is born. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, revenge is not only the catalyst of the play but a major theme as well. Upon hearing the truth regarding his father’s death, Hamlet Jr. instantly begins investigating and plotting his revenge against Claudius, which leads to all the events which unfold in the play. Upon hearing about his father’s death, Hamlet Jr. declares that he will “sweep to [his] revenge” (Shakespeare I.v.37). Hamlet Jr.s’ eagerness to take revenge and revenge’s prevalence in the play illustrate it as a major theme in the play. This mirrors the beliefs of the Psychoanalytical school of literary criticism, specifically the fifth tenant which states that “conflicts between our conscious and unconscious minds can create mental disturbances” and the sixth tenant which states that “in order to free ourselves of unconscious material we need to use skilled guidance to bring it to our conscious selves” (Rulli).

Clearly, Hamlet Jr is mentally troubled, which can be attributed to the conscious hatred he holds towards Claudius for killing his father and the unconscious feelings of inadequacy due to being rejected by Ophelia and delaying his revenge.

This is seen when he complains about “the pangs of despised love,” and how “[he is] pigeon-livered and lack gall” (Shakespeare III.i.73; II.ii.582). Hamlet Jr.’s failure in controlling his emotions and psychological state relates to the sixth tenant of psychoanalytical criticism as he clearly lacked the skilled guidance to control his mind. Due to Hamlet’s poor mental state, he reveals himself by leaping into Ophelia’s grave, resulting in the duel with Laertes where he is killed. The horrific aftermath of revenge becomes apparent through Hamlet Jr.’s actions, as they result in the entire kingdom falling in the hands of Fortinbras, after both the king and the heir are

killed. The obvious consequences of revenge, relate to the sixth tenant of psychoanalytical criticism, and form a strong cautionary tale about revenge and emotions. Hamlet conveys the message that people should not seek revenge as that only prevents their own personal healing and can result in further damage from retaliation. Instead of seeking revenge, people should attempt to heal from the psychological wounds inflicted upon them, which in Hamlet Jr.’s case would have prevented a lot of conflict. As Francis Bacon says “a man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal” (Edwards).