Friday, October 25, 2019
Revenge In Hamlet Essay -- essays research papers
What do you consider to the main theme(s) of Hamlet? Shakespeareââ¬â¢s Hamlet is a complex play where many themes are intertwined ââ¬â themes that are essential to the development of the play. The issue of death and disease, both physical and emotional is very prevalent throughout the duration of the play, as well as fate and divine providence. The play also questions madness and whether it can be feigned, as well as corruption and its moral implications. Of course, who could forget the famous ââ¬ËTo be or not to beââ¬â¢ soliloquy, where Hamlet not only questions life and death, but many of lifeââ¬â¢s other uncertainties as well. Undoubtedly, the most essential theme in the development of Hamlet is revenge and question ââ¬ËDoes revenge pay?ââ¬â¢ Revenge is a frighteningly bloodthirsty emotion, which causes people to act blindly and without reason. Revenge is a theme that is cleverly built upon throughout the extent of the play; with it being the driving force behind two of the main characters in the play. The play is introduced by the appearance of the ghost of Hamletââ¬â¢s father in the first scene, which automatically gives the impression that something is amiss. This is later clarified by the statement that ââ¬Å"Something is rotten in the state of Denmarkâ⬠(Act1 Scene 4 Line 90). The ghost emerges before Hamlet and insinuates that his death was not as nocent as it may seem. The ghost urges Hamlet to ââ¬Å"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murderâ⬠(Act1 Scene 5 Line25) and informs him that ââ¬Å"The serpent that did sting thy fatherââ¬â¢s life now wears his crown ââ¬Å"(Act1 Scene5 Line 38). This appears to indicate that Hamletââ¬â¢s fatherââ¬â¢s death was actually murder, and that the deed was committed by King Hamletââ¬â¢s brother, Claudius, who had now taken over as King of Denmark. The Ghost taunts Hamlet, telling him that it is part of every manââ¬â¢s honour to avenge his death. Hamlet then becomes a part of Denmarkââ¬â¢s foulness and wre tchedness when he agrees to avenge his fatherââ¬â¢s death. This is the beginning of a vicious cycle of hatred, death and revenge that destroys many lives. Soon after Claudius marries Hamletââ¬â¢s mother, Gertrude, Hamlet feigns madness as a ploy to cover up his attempts to avenge his fatherââ¬â¢s death and to bring him closer to Claudius. One of the first things Hamlet does in his attempt to prove Claudiusââ¬â¢ guilt is to have ââ¬ËThe Mousetrapââ¬â¢ performed in court. ââ¬ËThe Mousetrap recreates ... ...amned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother.â⬠Laertes dies, content that justice has been served and Hamlet himself dies soon after, his fatherââ¬â¢s death finally avenged. The obsession and need for revenge displayed by our two main characters eventually led them both to their downfall. Not only did it hurt themselves, but many others close to them. Opheliaââ¬â¢s death, for example could be blamed on Hamletââ¬â¢s desire for revenge, whilst Hamlets death occurred as a result of Laertes quest to avenge his fatherââ¬â¢s death. Hopefully, it is easy to see why I believe that revenge is the core theme in Shakespeareââ¬â¢s Hamlet. Revenge shapes the entire plot of the play and could be blamed for corrupting Hamlet and Laertes, making them almost evil in their final intentions. Shakespeare highlights the moral implications of revenge, and how a person can be corrupted by their need for revenge. The age-old saying ââ¬ËAn eye for an eye, a tooth for a toothââ¬â¢ is outlined perfectly in Hamlet. You cannot receive a punch, return a punch and then all sit down together for a lovely dinner. The second that you retaliate, it starts a horrible chain that is almost impossible to break.
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