Revenge And Vengeance In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

In Shakespeare’s plays revenge is a common theme; In Hamlet it is a theme around which the main plot is situated. In this case, those who take it upon themselves to exact a revenge using violence, force, and haste; inevitably meet their demise. However those who seek it rationally, survive. Such is the case with three major characters: Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras. Their revenges are patient and planned, yet they are obstructed by moral values and religious views and a higher power, but fueled by their emotions.

In Hamlet, Hamlet is seen wallowing in sorrow at the beginning due to his father’s (the late King) death, but he is unaware of how it happened. The plot begins to unfold at the inciting incident, which is when the Ghost speaks to Hamlet and tells him of

It gives us insight to the looming threat of Norway. Young Fortinbras’ reaction was neither delayed, nor was it reckless. Compared to Hamlet’s stalling and Laertes’ haste, Fortinbras acted rationally. Instead of over-contemplating his life and its meaning, he calmly creates a bold plan to avenge the death of Old Norway and reclaim the lands lost to Denmark. He assembles an army to march on Poland, which is of little importance to him. Upon returning from Poland, he heads to his primary goal; the royal palace of Elsinore in Denmark, where he plans to exact his vengeance. Fortinbras arrives shortly after the deaths occur in the palace. It is not by chance that Fortinbras remains alive by the end of the play; it was his rationality that caused it to be so. Hamlet had recognized Fortinbras as a strong ruler when he saw the Norwegian army march, and so before his death. He told unto Horatio: “I do prophesy the election lights on Fortinbras: he has my dying voice” (V.II.348-349). This shows Hamlet’s trust and consent in given Fortinbras the throne of Denmark, which in turn restores the order to the Shakespearian chaos that