Theme Of Revenge In Hamlet

“When you begin a journey of revenge, start by digging two graves: one for your enemy, and one for yourself,” said Jodi Picoult, author of Nineteen Minutes (Revenge). With acts of revenge, not only is the receiver of the revenge being destroyed, but the avenger as well is being damaged in the process of enacting his or her revenge. Audiences can typically relate and identify for the character seeking revenge against a villainous character, for each of the characters seeking revenge seem to be on a virtuous attempt (Prosser, Shakespeare and Revenge). The most resembling aspects is the struggle that the protagonist must face while trying to collect his or her moral’s stance on the revenge he or she is looking to commit (Keyishian, Problematic

Like many other Renaissance revenge tragedies, Hamlet is one of the most widely recognized and famous example of the best revenge tragedies (Black, Shakespeare and the Comedy of Revenge). Hamlet is one of the most famous revenge tragedies, inspiring many works of art following the play’s premiere. As well as inspiring works of art, Hamlet has also instigated a great deal of critical analysis and writing (ed. Lee, Shakespeare Criticism). While some critics find the flaws and errors within the play, many can appreciate and build from the work that was done by William Shakespeare. Keyishian pointed out, “Audiences easily identify with characters facing such challenges, to the degree that the pursuit of revenge is task-specific and not grounded in chronic resentment or vindictiveness” (Problematic Revenge in Hamlet and King Lear). In Hamlet, audiences can relate to the characters in their strife, turmoil, and happiness. Literary critic, Ronald Knowles states that Hamlet undergoes a transition of unique emotional struggle and human reason that offer him unique characteristics (Lee, Shakespeare Criticism). The traits that Hamlet possessed makes him very relatable, but the traits cause him more tribulations in his path for revenge than the traits help

Hamlet is a careful, calculating character that is trying to avenge his father’s death while still trying to cope with his death. Being at the center of the play, Hamlet is a character that many readers can easily identify and empathize with (Klein, Hamlet: overview). Like many, Hamlet is able to admit his strengths and flaws as a person. Hamlet admits about himself, “I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious…" (3.1.122-127). While he may be proud of these characteristics about himself, these traits prove to hinder him in trying to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet is able to admit some of his more notable traits; however, he is also hateful and cruel, leading him down a destructive path of revenge (Bloom, 19). Learning about the revenge he must commit, Hamlet is told by the ghost of his dead father that Hamlet must "revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (1.5.25). Hamlet is left faced with murdering his father’s murderer with very little instruction or help. James Black wrote, “It is mainly in this aspect that the plot of Shakespeare 's Hamlet differs from its predecessors and successors, in that the hero has serious ethical considerations about what he is to do” (Black, Shakespeare and the Comedy of Revenge). Hamlet undergoes careful consideration in choosing the fate of his uncle and the revenge he will take. On his quest for revenge, Hamlet