Revenge in Hamlet Revenge is a major theme in the Tragedy of Hamlet. Revenge causes one to act blindly through anger, rather than through reason. It is based on the principle of an eye for an eye, but this principle is not always an intelligent theory to live by. Young Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet were all looking to avenge the deaths of their fathers. There were three major families in the Tragedy of Hamlet. These were the family of King Fortinbras, the family of Polonius, and the family of King Hamlet. The heads of each of these families are all slaughtered within the play. Fortinbras, King of Norway, was killed by King Hamlet; slain by sword during a man to man battle. "our valiant Hamlet-for so this side of our known world esteem'd him-did slay this Fortinbras." This entitled King Hamlet to the land that was possessed by Fortinbras because it was written in a seal'd compact. Polonius was an advisor to the King, and father to Laertes and Ophelia. He was nosy and arrogant, and he did not trust his children. He was killed by Young Hamlet while he was eves dropping on a conversation between Hamlet and his mother. "How now! A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!" King Hamlet was the King of Denmark, and Hamlet's father. He had killed King Fortinbras, only to be killed by his brother, Claudius."My offense is rank, it smells to heaven; A brother's murder" Each of these events effected the sons of the deceased in the same way, it enraged them. Every one of the three eldest sons had one thing in common, they all wanted revenge for a slaughtered father. In the time in which this play is set, avenging the murder of a father was part of one's honor, and had to be done. All of the three sons swore vengeance, and then acted towards getting revenge for the deaths of their fathers. Young Fortinbras was deeply enraged by the death of his father, and he wanted revenge against Denmark because of this occurrence. Fortinbras wanted to, by force, regain the lands that had been lost by his father to Denmark. "Now sir, young Fortinbrasas it doth well appear unto our state-but to recover of us, by strong hand and terms compulsative, those foresaid lands so by his father lost" Claudius sends messengers to talk to Fortinbras' uncle, the new King of Norway. He forbid Fortinbras to attack Denmark, and instead convinced him to attack the Poles to vent his anger. "His nephew's levies, which to him appear'd to be a preparation 'gainst the Polack; But better look'd into, he truly found it was against your highnessOn Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys, receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine, makes vow before his uncle never more to give the assay of arms against your majesty." Laertes found out about his father's death, and immediately returned home. He confronted the King and accused him of the murder of his father. Claudius told Laertes that Hamlet was responsible for his father's death. He then decides to kill Hamlet to avenge the death of his father. He and Claudius concoct a plot to kill Hamlet. Hamlet dies of wounds from the poisoned tipped sword Laertes used. "Hamlet, thou art slainThe treacherous instrument is in thy, unbated and envenom'd" Hamlet was deeply sorrowed by his father's death. He spoke to a ghost, and this ghost stated that his father's death was a murder, by the hand of his uncle, Claudius. "The serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown." Hamlet was astonished, and then swore vengeance for his father's death. He then proceeded to try and prove his uncle's guilt, and then finally kills him while he himself is dying of poisoned wounds inflicted by Laertes during their duel. "The point envenomed too! Then venom, to thy workHere, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, drink off this potion,-is thy union here? Follow my mother." This left the King dead, and his father's death avenged. The lack of thought used in exacting the revenge led to the deaths of both Laertes and Hamlet. Laertes planned with Claudius to kill Hamlet with the poisoned tipped sword, but they had not thought that the sword might be used against them. With Laertes believing the King's accusations that Hamlet had murdered his father, he was in a blind rage, and would not listen to Hamlet's explanation and apology. "I am satisfied in nature to my revenge I stand aloof and will no reconcilementBut till that time, I do receive your offer'd love like love, and will not wrong it.". He fights Hamlet, and wounds him once with the poisoned tipped sword; but unfortunately, their swords are switched, and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the sword. That is the wound by which Laertes dies. Hamlet had many chances to kill his uncle, but his rage outweighed his intelligence; and he chose to wait until the lord could see no good in Claudius, and then strike him down into a world of eternal damnation. "Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven." Hamlet waits until he can kill his uncle while he is performing a sin, unfortunately for Hamlet, the sin is the poisoning of his own son in law. Hamlet dies of his poisoned wound. Young Fortinbras regains his fathers land, without use of violence, or death to himself. Hamlet names him new ruler of Denmark before he dies, and Fortinbras regains all of his father's lost land, and becomes King of Denmark. Since the Heads of the three major families were each murdered, the eldest sons of these families swore vengeance, and two of the three sons died while exacting their acts of vengeance, revenge is a major theme in the Tragedy of Hamlet. As a theme, revenge was present in all parts of the play. It seems ironic that Claudius, Laertes, and Hamlet all died of the same sword. It is also ironic that the first the seek revenge against Claudius, Fortinbras, becomes King of Denmark. Revenge was the driving force behind three of the main characters of the play, for two it led to downfall, and for the other it led to greatness.
Throughout the novel, The Red Badge of Courage, written by Stephen Crane, a theme is portrayed within a battle that takes place during the Civil War. It is that each person must find the courage to win his or her won battle for maturity or adulthood. A soldier, who is also the main character, Henry Fleming, exemplifies this theme.
Both Hamlet’s and Laertes’ fathers were killed. When Laertes discovered that his father’s been murdered he immediately assumes that Claudius is the killer. As a result of his speculation he moves to avenge Polonius’ death. Laertes lines in Act IV Scene 5 provide insight into his mind displaying his desire for revenge at any cost. “To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father.” (Act IV Scene 5 lines 136-141) In contrast to Laertes speculation of his father’s killer, Hamlet assumes the individual spying on his conversation with Gertrude is Claudius. “Nay, I know not. Is it the King?” (Act III Scene 4 line 28). Without thinking, Hamlet automatically thrusts out attempting to kill who he believed was Claudius and actually kills Polonius. Fury and frustration instigate Hamlet’s and Laertes’ indiscreet actions and causes them not to think of the consequences that may follow.
Throughout the story many settings appear, the most important one is the battlefield. The time is 1862, which is the period of the Civil War. The story begins at dawn on a cold morning when the army rests by campfires on some hills. As a tall soldier, who later becomes known as Jim Conklin, washes his shirt at the river, he hears a rumor. He rushes to tell his comrades that the regiment will move the following day. When the loud soldier, Wilson, hears this rumor, he argues with Jim that it is a lie. While this argument is taking place, the youthful soldier and main character in the story, Henry Fleming, is listening attentively.
In the play of Hamlet the main theme is the theme of vengeance and the need of the characters to protect their family's honor. This does not only have to do with Hamlet himself but is also illustrated in two other important characters of the play, Laertes and Fortinbras. All three of these characters are faced with the problem of having to avenge their nemesis who had previously hurt their family or their family's name. The idea of vengeance for the sake of family honor causes great destruction throughout the play and causes many more people get caught up in this circle of destruction and vengeance.
Revenge is one’s desire to retaliate and get even. Human instincts turn to revenge when loved ones are hurt. But, these misdeeds of taking upon revenge may lead to serious consequences. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Hamlet,” Fortinbras, Hamlet, and Laertes’s each show how their desire for revenge unavoidably leads to tragedy. The loss of their loved ones caused these characters in Hamlet to take action. Young Fortinbras has built an army to get back the lands his father lost to King Hamlet and Denmark. His actions can be compared to the measures Hamlet is willing to take upon Claudius. Hamlet wants to kill his uncle, Claudius, for killing his father to gain royalty status. Laertes has the same anger as Hamlet killed Polonius, Laertes’s father. Laertes uses all the power he has to get revenge on Hamlet. The corruption of these characters result the deaths of each major character.
Consequently, Fortinbras eventually conquers Denmark and becomes the ruler, fulfilling his father’s final wish. Hamlet’s anger and hatred create internal conflicts with each of his family members, leading to their demise. In Act IV Scene ii, before killing Claudius, Hamlet rages “Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damnèd Dane, / Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? / Follow my mother”(356-357). This shows Hamlet’s bitterness towards Claudius for seducing and poisoning his mother. In order to destroy Claudius, Hamlet’s actions lead to the death of all his family members. However, for Fortinbras, when the whole royal family dies, he says, “For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune. / I have some rights of memory in this kingdom/ which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.”(V. ii. 431- 433). As a result, even though Hamlet avenges his father, he lost everything, while Fortinbras conquers this whole entire kingdom, finally avenging his father’s
Although Hamlet and Laertes are responsible for their actions in dealing with their grief, Claudius is the ultimate cause of the death throughout the castle. Because Claudius killed Hamlet’s father, he is responsible for all of Hamlet’s actions that are brought on by grief or a need for revenge. When Hamlet kills Polonius, it is because Claudius sent Polonius to spy on Gertrude and Hamlet. This in turn triggers Laertes’ grief, and all of Laertes' actions after that that are connected to the death of his father. All of the deaths in Hamlet can be accredited to Claudius. When Claudius kills King Hamlet, young Hamlet is grief-stricken. Hamlet kills Polonius in a fit of rage, causing Ophelia to go mad and eventually kill herself, and Laertes to become enraged. Laertes then kills Hamlet and inadvertently kills Gertrude and himself. Hamlet is horrified at the deaths surrounding him and kills Claudius. All of these deaths stemmed from Hamlet’s original grief that Claudius had murdered King Hamlet.
In conclusion, Hamlet became the object of revenge himself by Claudius. He also caused the indirect and direct deaths of Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Gertrude, Claudius, and Laertes. Although Laertes told Claudius that nothing could stop him from acting out his revenge, he was easily manipulated by Claudius into doing his dirty work for him, and ultimately, his poisoned sword was pointed back at himself. In the end, the unexpected occurred, plans were foiled, and revenge was bittersweet.
Revenge has caused the downfall of many a person. Its consuming nature causes one to act recklessly through anger rather than reason. Revenge is an emotion easily rationalized; one turn deserves another. However, this is a very dangerous theory to live by. Throughout Hamlet, revenge is a dominant theme. Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet all seek to avenge the deaths of their fathers. But in so doing, all three rely more on emotion than thought, and take a very big gamble, a gamble which eventually leads to the downfall and death of all but one of them. King Fortinbras was slain by King Hamlet in a sword battle. This entitled King Hamlet to the land that was possessed by Fortinbras because it was written in a seal'd compact. "…our valiant Hamlet-for so this side of our known world esteem'd him-did slay this Fortinbras." Young Fortinbras was enraged by his father’s murder and sought revenge against Denmark. He wanted to reclaim the land that had been lost to Denmark when his father was killed. "…Now sir, young Fortinbras…as it doth well appear unto our state-but to recover of us, by strong hand and terms compulsative, those foresaid lands so by his father lost…" Claudius becomes aware of Fortinbras’ plans, and in an evasive move, sends a message to the new King of Norway, Fortinbras’ uncle.
Revenge causes the downfall of many people. Its consuming nature causes one to act recklessly through emotion of anger and not reason. Hamlet is Shakespeare’s longest play and among the most powerful and influential tragedies in English literature. The plays is capable of engaging the audience through the many displays of vindictiveness. The play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, is primarily a tragedy of revenge as the characters Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras all seek vengeance for their fathers' deaths, which leads to chaos.
Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, wants revenge on the present King of his nation, his uncle, who executed Hamlet's dad, the first King, keeping in mind the end goal to take the crown and wed the Queen. At the point when attempting to reprisal his dad by murdering his Uncle, Hamlet incidentally slaughters Polonius, the father of one of his closest friends Laertes. In turn, Laertes needs to reprisal his dad's passing by murdering Hamlet. Hamlet's dad's most despised adversary, the King of Norway, was murdered by Hamlet's dad in battle. The King of Norway's son, prince of Norway, Fortinbras, in this way needed revenge on Denmark. As the play starts, Hamlet is in a lamenting period over the passing of his dad. What aggravates it is that lone a couple of weeks after the appalling and less than ideal passing, Hamlet's mom, the Queen of Denmark, remarries Hamlet's uncle, the perished King's brother. "Thrift, Horatio. The memorial service prepared meats did coldly outfit forward the marriage tables," Hamlet shouted to his best friend Horatio. The burial service of his dad and the wedding of his mom and uncle were so near one another, the remaining sustenance from the memorial service was utilized for the marriage. Hamlet is visited by the phantom of his dad, who tells Hamlet that his uncle is the person who slaughtered his dad and that Hamlet ought to reprisal his dad's
In the play, there are several characters wanting vengeance like that of Hamlet. Throughout the play, Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras all had a tragic death of a family member which caused their decision for revenge. Consequentially, these revenges caused the demise of two characters and the rise of power of another. The retaliation shown by the Prince of Denmark, as well as Laertes led to the downfall of their government. In the play, Hamlet seeks revenge on his uncle Claudius.
Revenge is the core theme in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Death of loved ones cause the characters to act blindly through anger and emotion which cause them to carry out revenge. Hamlet has opportunities to kill Claudius, but he waits until the time is right to kill him. Hamlet, and the Laertes both accomplishes their task. Their obsession and need for revenge lead them to their downfalls.
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An eye for an eye will more likely make the world blind, rather than healing all the wounds from the past. Revenge is a destructive weapon used to return evil for evil, which can satisfy one’s desire while causing more harm and suffering. Revenge is one of the dominant themes in tragedy, and there is no exception in Hamlet. Shakespeare develops the theme of revenge by portraying Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras as the victims who are plagued with the desire for revenge, allowing the audience to explore their emotion and reaction. Revenge rises up when Hamlet is driven by the ghost to avenge the death of his father, later consumes almost the entire cast of characters when Laertes has to avenge the senseless slaughter of his father and the mysterious