Theme Of Seeking Revenge In Hamlet

Revenge is never the Answer
Seeking revenge is never the answer to any problem. In Romans 12:19 it states, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord.” In Shakespeare play Hamlet, there are plenty of examples of the domino effect of revenge seeking. The first example is the rage and revenge expressed by Hamlet, which drives him mad. The second is Laertes seeking revenge on Hamlet. Lastly, all characters who played the game of revenge all payed the price in the end. Let us begin the game of revenge dominos…
In the beginning of the play, Hamlet’s father is killed. At first it was discovered to be a snake attack, but later by his Father’s ghost, Hamlet

reveals who the killer actually is. Hamlet’s very own uncle poisoned his father, and was now a traitor and a murderer. Hamlet was enraged, but even more so after he finds out his uncle married his mother and is now the new king. Immediately, Hamlet wants revenge. He holds a grudge against his mother and uncle, which leads him to madness. In Act three, Hamlet releases his rage on everyone he comes in contact with even Ophelia, the woman he supposedly loves. Also in Act three, Hamlet obstreperously argues with his mother and kills Polonius. The ghost of Hamlet’s father knocked down the first domino of revenge, and now Hamlet will continue to knock them down until he is satisfied. All of this could have been avoided if Hamlet would just pick up his Bible every now and then. In Proverbs 20:22 it blatantly states, “Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.”
Polonius’ death leads to the insanity of Ophelia and the revenge of Laertes. Ophelia copes with her father’s death by frolicking around singing about him; whereas Laertes wants to avenge his father and seek revenge on Hamlet. In Act four, Laertes states that he rather fulfil his plot of revenge than be saved from Hell. Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, fuels Laertes’ rage even more. He even stated that, “revenge should have no bounds.” Claudius, Hamlet, and Laertes all continue to fight fire with fire. Two men are dead already, but that does not stop the domino effect of revenge. Matthew 5:38-45 states, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also…Love your enemies and pray for those who prosecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven.”
Hamlet, Claudius, Laertes, and even Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, are guilty of revenge and acting on rage, and Ophelia was caught in the cross fire.

Each player had a price to pay, and they all paid up eventually. The final scene of Act five Gertrude drinks poison meant for Hamlet. Claudius is killed by poison and sword. Laertes is killed by the trap he constructed for Hamlet. Hamlet is killed by his own guilt and the weight of Laertes’ revenge. Horatio and Fortinbras are the only surviving characters, because they did not let revenge consume them. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 states, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other.”
The theme of the play Hamlet can unmistakably be determined. Revenge, rage, and tragedy circulate throughout the play. Hamlet’s rage and revenge for his father’s death blinds him from rationality, and it drives him mad. Laertes sought revenge for his father’s death, and his main target was Hamlet. Finally, the dominos come to a standstill when Hamlet, Claudius, Laertes, and Gertrude pay the price of death. On page 151 of Brightest Heaven of Invention, there is a sentence that exudes the theme of Hamlet, “Violent revenge begets further violence.” Therefore, seeking revenge is never the answer to any

problem.