Revenge In Hamlet Research Paper

The theme of revenge is a prominent one in “Hamlet” that causes characters to act in a way they typically would not. In the play, revenge takes over the minds of characters, and understanding how the mind works helps us understand why revenge can take such a toll on the mental state of Hamlet and Laertes. Hamlet kills Polonius because he did not think to check to see if it truly was Claudius behind the tapestry. Laertes, later challenges Hamlet to a fencing match with aspirations to avenge his father but ends up dead himself because his plan was impulsive and flawed. By exploring Hamlet and Laertes’ mental conflict and involvement with revenge, and by bringing scientific facts about the psychology behind revenge, it becomes transparent why

When Hamlet senses someone behind the tapestry, he is quick to stab his dagger in the direction believing it to be Claudius; however, his quick judgement leads to him murdering Polonius instead. Hamlet was so invested in murdering Claudius and avenging his father that when he kills Polonius, he acts as though it is not a big deal. After killing Polonius, Hamlet proclaims, “How now? A rat? Dead for ducat, dead…”, which shows how little care Hamlet has for anyone or anything that is not revenge on Claudius (Shakespeare 3.4 26). To further support, this idea of Hamlet’s overpowering need for revenge, “Hamlet attaches his own narcissistic fantasies, revealed in his conflicted desire for vengeance (“Hamlet” Shakespearean Criticism).” This quote analyzes and reiterates how Hamlet is so wrapped up in revenge that it is all he thinks about and wants. Hamlet ultimately commits an accident due to his passion and overwhelming desire for gaining revenge on Claudius. If Hamlet had been level headed and reasonable, the blood of Polonius would not be on his hands and he would not be in the destructive mental state that he finds himself

When investigating the benefits and fallbacks of revenge, “getting an eye for an eye, Old Testament-style, is thought to bring a sense of catharsis and closure (Wallace).” However, when looking deeper in to the psychological effects of revenge on people, we see that this closure is not always accomplished. When looking into some of the realities that come with “revenge fantasies, over time [someone] can develop anxiety and remorse, as well as feelings of shame," says California-based psychotherapist Beverly Engel, who treats clients who have been abused and often struggle with vengeful thoughts (Wallace).” It is this anxiety that comes with thoughts of revenge that causes Hamlet to nervously stab at the man behind the tapestry. Therefore, the question becomes why people seek revenge if it has so many drawbacks. In a scientific study composed to see how people would react after experiencing betrayal, they concluded, “punishing a defector activates brain regions related to feeling good about revenge rather than brain regions related to feeling bad about having been violated (Knutsen).” This study explains the dedication put into Hamlet and Laertes’ hunt for revenge. The origin of their vengeful thoughts is not all that science backs, but the way they acted after seeking revenge is, too. In another study looking at the mental happenings that