How contrast is used to develop the complication of revenge

575 Words2 Pages

In the play “Hamlet”, Shakespeare uses two characters, Hamlet and Laertes, to develop a recurring theme of revenge. These two characters experience similar emotional suffering, as both of their fathers were murdered. One idea that made the readers question the mentality of these two characters was their motives. Hamlet was hesitant throughout the entire interval of the play to get revenge; which created confusion because Hamlet craved nothing more than revenge, yet he continued putting it off. In contrast to Hamlet’s tentativeness, Laertes, a man who initially did not know who killed his father, was willing to take his anger out on nearly anyone. Throughout the play, Laertes is seen as one who is eager to get to action, a quality often found in heroes, whereas Hamlet, the actual hero of the play, lacks this quality and hesitates to get revenge. In an attempt to portray the difficulty of revenge, Shakespeare uses the different ways Hamlet and Laertes see to their problems.
In this play, revenge does not come easy for Hamlet as his character is overwhelmed by his conscience, which i...

Show More
Related

  • Similarities Between Hamlet And The Cask Of Amontillado

    965 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” Hamlet and Laertes act as dramatic foils, where their similarities are used to highlight their differences. Each character learns that his father has been murdered and each plots his revenge against the murderer. In the first act of the play, the ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him “Let not

    Read More

  • Hamlet and Laertes: Roles of Opposing Foils

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    Few characters in literary history have served the roles of opposing foils quite as well as Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Laertes. Two young men both presented with a similar situation, the murder of their father, and yet two completely contrasting courses of action in reaction. The analytical approach of Prince Hamlet sits opposite the seething passion of Laertes, blinded by his mission of vengeance. Zeffirelli’s Hamlet and Branagh’s William Shakespeare’s Hamlet both offer varying takes on the personalities of Hamlet and Laertes, particularly in how they interact with eachother and their courses of action to revenge the murders of their fathers. Through the text of the play and portrayals of the films, the opposing foils of Hamlet and Laertes represent two vastly different philosophies in regards to two very similar events.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Laertes and Fortinbras in Hamlet

    1290 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Shakespearean play, Hamlet, is a story of revenge and the way the characters in the play respond to grief and the demands of loyalty. The importance of Fortinbras and Laertes in the play is an issue much discussed, analysed and critiqued. Fortinbras and Laertes are parallel characters to Hamlet, and they provide pivotal points on which to compare the actions and emotions of Hamlet throughout the play. They are also important in Hamlet as they are imperative to the plot of the play and the final resolution. Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are three young men who are placed in similar circumstances, that is, to avenge their father's deaths. The way the each comes to terms with their grief and how they rise to the call of vengeance is one of main contrasts between the three.

    Read More

  • The Pararchy Of Human Needs In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    Like Hamlet, Laertes in this play was fighting to achieve a similar goal. Following his father’s death by Hamlet, Laertes took it upon himself to duel Hamlet in order to seek revenge. Humans often have a similar motive which is to achieve their goals regardless of the consequences they would have to deal with for the sake of bettering their futures. For Laertes to continue on with his life being shadowed by the guilt of his father’s murder while he was away meaning to enjoy life would be more than what he could live with. His need to duel Hamlet not only for the sake of being a good son, but also proving himself to others around him shows that his ego and pride also played a role in his goals and we understand that motive when he says “Let come what comes; only I 'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father”. His battle with Hamlet not only resulted in Hamlet’s death but also his, which for most readers would seem an honorable death. Although Laertes’ character was not a major example of “reconciliation” in the play, it portrayed a vivid idea behind a human’s need to revisit the past to rid themselves of any guilt that may come back to haunt

    Read More

  • Hamlet and Laertes: Pawns of the King

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    1 In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet [Titles] the actions of Laertes and Hamlet are the focal point of the play. They are the sons of major characters who must have grown up together in Elsinore castle, and known each other for years. Laertes warns his sister Ophelia about continuing a relationship with Hamlet because of his royal obligations. The tragic deaths of their father’s [No '] forces them both to seek revenge at all costs. They learn that pursuing revenge is a dark way to travel and it cost them their lives.

    Read More

  • Laertes As A Foil For Hamlet

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    After the tragic death of Polonius, Laertes vows to be “revenged/Most thoroughly for my [his] father”(4.5.109-110). Hamlet does the same, however, lacks the motivation that Laertes possesses. Hamlet claims that he retains the passion to “ drown the stage with tears”, but cannot back this up with action. After Ophelia’s death Laertes says that “When these [tears] are gone,/The woman will be out”(4.7.185-186). In comparison with Hamlet, Laertes shows far less compassion and grievance for death, however he takes action to avenge his sister and father. The main difference between Hamlet and Laertes is that Hamlet’s passion is displayed with his words, while Laertes’s passion is proven by his actions, allowing Laertes to be more successful. The significance of this distinction is that actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to whether or not one will be successful. Similarly to Fortinbras, Laertes leads “...a riotous head,/O 'erbears {Overbearing] your [Claudius 's] officers”(4.5.75-76), however his opportunity is diminished as he becomes sidetracked. Like Hamlet, Laertes begins with a wave of passion, however ends up “turning away and losing the name of action”(Miller). Laertes fails because he loses his determination and neglects to fulfill his duty in taking vengeance. From this foil, it is important to see that in order to be truly successful one must keep focus of their goals and not waste

    Read More

  • Hamlet, Laertes & Fortinbras: Avenging Their Fathers

    1329 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the theme of revenge is very palpable as the reader examines the characters of Hamlet himself, as well as Laertes, son of Polonius, and Fortinbras, prince of Norway and son of the late King Fortinbras. Each of these young characters felt the need to avenge the deaths of their fathers who they felt were untimely killed at the bloody hands of their murderers. However, the way each chose to go about this varies greatly and gives insight into their characters and how they progress throughout the play. Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are similar in the fact that each had love, or at least respect, their fathers. Enough to make an attempt to wreak revenge upon their fathers murderers at the risk of their own reputation, freedom, and souls.

    Read More

  • Hamlet

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is known as the best tragedy play of all times. Each one of the characters has their own unique personality, but some of them are very alike. Hamlet, the main character, and Laertes, one of the other leading roles, are very much alike but at the same time slightly different. Their experiences collide and they both make some decisions, which change their lives forever. Hamlet and Laertes both display impulsive reactions when angered.

    Read More

  • Theme of Revenge in Literature and Movies

    914 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Hamlet Shakespeare is able to use revenge in an extremely skillful way that gives us such deep insight into the characters. It is an excellent play that truly shows the complexity of humans. You can see in Hamlet how the characters are willing to sacrifice t...

    Read More

  • Laertes And Hamlet Foil Essay

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet desires to think situations and the consequences of his actions through completely, causing his delay in getting revenge for the death of his father. Hamlet shows readers just how thoroughly he think about consequences when he states “to be or not to be - that is the question: whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, end them” (III, i, 57-61). Laertes, on the other hand, does not think anything of or care about the consequences of his actions. Laertes proves his careless attitude when he says “to hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation” (IV, v, 136-138). He only wants revenge for the death of his father quickly so his father’s killer will not live while his father is dead. This shows another difference between Hamlet and Laertes; Laertes is more angry and passionate about the murder than

    Read More

  • Hamlet Revenge Essay

    720 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Hamlet, each character’s course of revenge surrounds them with corruption, obsession, and fatality. Shakespeare shows that revenge proves to be extremely problematic. Revenge causes corruption by changing an individual’s persona and nature. Obsession to revenge brings forth difficulties such as destroyed relationships. Finally, revenge can be the foundation to the ultimate sacrifice of fatality. Hamlet goes to show that revenge is never the correct route to follow, and it is always the route with a dead

    Read More

  • Laertes and Horatio as Foils for Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1168 Words  | 3 Pages

    Laertes and Hamlet share two basic similarities.  Both Laertes and Hamlet want revenge for their father’s deaths. Hamlet wants revenge against his uncle and Laertes wants revenge against Hamlet. Both want to protect their family name. The revenge Hamlet wants is what starts him pretending he is crazy. He is attempting to use his dementedness as a ploy to get his uncle to confess to the murder.  Laertes and Hamlet are both thought to be acting improperly by their parents. Laertes’ father sends two spies to Paris to watch his son and to report back their findings because, " in his worldliness and cynicism, he is absolutely sure that he knows how young men behave when away from parental control." [Source?] This outlook hints at the way Hamlet is behaving without his parental control. Hamlet is presumed mad because he claims to see his dead father[' H-50]s ghost and is obsessing ab...

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Burden

    1122 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Laertes, Hamlet sees himself, for Polonius' son is only exacting the revenge that is his due, as Hamlet attempts to exact his. When Hamlet uses th...

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Revenge In Hamlet

    2463 Words  | 5 Pages

    ”(153) It becomes clear that the parallels presented throughout the play are there to further illuminate the flaws of Hamlet’s character. Laertes is a hot-headed man looking for revenge. His father was killed by Hamlet and his sister was driven insane due to the series of events that took place because of Hamlet. Like Hamlet, Laertes wants to avenge his father by killing the man who killed Polonius.

    Read More

  • Hamlet- A Revenge Tragedy

    717 Words  | 2 Pages

    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, coupled with his innate tendency to over-think his actions, leads to an unfocused mission of vengeance that brings about not only his own death, but also the unnecessary deaths of nearly all of the other main characters in the revenge tragedy.

    Read More

More about How contrast is used to develop the complication of revenge

Open Document