Revenge is Tragic

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Recommended: Story told from a beowulf point of view

“Vengeance is sweet” and “Revenge is a dish best served cold “are two statements often used to describe Revenge , but in British literature the idea of revenge leads to tragedy ;this fact is evident in the stories Frankenstein, Hamlet, and Beowulf. Throughout each story Particular characters are challenged by a need for vengeance. Revenge is a emotion that can be stronger than love and that comes saddled with hate, anger and tragedy. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein the character of the monster is a intelligent , kind hearted being who spirals down a path of darkness after being rejected by his creator. Soon after this event he becomes reclusive and cold hearted in his pursuit of revenge against society and the man who made him. During the tale of Shakespeare's Hamlet the main character prince Hamlet slowly goes mad in his attempt to avenge his fathers murder ,and in the epic poem Beowulf the antagonist known as Grendel's mother begins to destroy the land Beowulf is bound by his fathers debt to protect after her son has been murdered . In all of these brilliant literary marvels revenge is a main concern with the characters and all of the characters who partake in the sweet victory that is vengeance soon taste the bitter aftermath that is tragedy.
The story of Frankenstein is one of the most brilliant and thought provoking stories where the idea of revenge leads to tragedy. One tragic aspect of the monster's plight is the fact that he spent his life lonely and angry due to his blind pursuit of revenge against humans due to the decisions of his creator. In the text the monster stated "Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed?” . ...

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... In the final story Beowulf the life of a warrior is detailed from life to death as he experience's many detailed battles and adventures. He is summoned from his native home to aid the king Hrothgar to fight against a ferocious beast that is a decedent from Cain. Once the hero defeats his enemy the monster's mother comes to enact her revenge. This story much like hamlet portrays Vengeance as a rightful law and just as vengeance lead Hamlet to his death. It did the same for Grendel's mother and Beowulf. The most important theme in each of these British literature novels is the idea of revenge leading to a tragic ending. This fact is proved through the events that take place in each story. vengeance solves nothing if it leaves the avenger with nothing but hatred ,rage ,grief ,and death.

Works Cited

Beowulf,and Charles W.Kennedy.Beowulf.[S.l.]: Oxford,1940.Print

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