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Shakespeare's Hamlet is a complex play where many themes are intertwined 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 To be or not to be soliloquy, where Hamlet not only questions life and death, but many of lifes other uncertainties as well. Undoubtedly, the most essential theme in the development of Hamlet is revenge and question Does revenge pay? 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 Hamlets father in the first scene, which automatically gives the impression that something is amiss. This is later clarified by the statement that Something is rotten in the state of Denmark (Act 1 Scene 4 Line 90). The ghost emerges before Hamlet and insinuates that his death was not as innocent as it may seem. The ghost urges Hamlet to Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder (Act 1 Scene 5 Line 25) and informs him that The serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown (Act 1 Scene 5 Line 38). This appears to indicate that Hamlets fathers death was actually murder, and that the deed was committed by King Hamlets brother, Claudius, who had now taken over as King of Denmark.
The Ghost taunts Hamlet, telling him that it is part of every mans honor to avenge his death. Hamlet then becomes a part of Denmark's foulness and wretchedness when he agrees to avenge his fathers death. This is the beginning of a vicious cycle of hatred, death and revenge that destroys many lives. Soon after Claudius marries Hamlets mother, Gertrude, Hamlet feigns madness as a ploy to cover up his attempts to avenge his fathers death and to bring him closer to Claudius. One of the first things Hamlet does in his attempt to prove Claudius guilt is to have The Mousetrap performed in court. The Mousetrap recreates a similar scenario as the one that had occurred when Hamlets father was murdered.
Hamlet was waiting for a reaction from Claudius that would prove the ghosts message. Following the Kings outburst after watching the performance, Hamlet confronted his mother and began to insult her infidelity to her dead husband. Meanwhile, Polonius, a faithful member of the Kings council, was hiding behind a decorate rug that was adorning the wall in Gertrude's room. Hamlet sensed his presence and thinking that it was Claudius, plunged his dagger through the rug. This causes much grief and sadness for many people. During this period, Hamlet treats his girlfriend Ophelia (Polonius daughter) in a shocking manner, calling her a whore and denying her his love.
This, coupled with her fathers death causes her to go mad and eventually commit suicide. This was a particularly sad death because Ophelia was just an innocent bystander in a cruel plot for revenge. Also hurt was Laertes (Polonius son). Laertes believes that it was the king that killed his father, but the king quickly puts Laertes on Hamlets trail and pushes him to avenge his fathers murder.
From this point on, Hamlet and Laertes become the main characters in the play - two characters driven by revenge. Meanwhile, Hamlet is still talking about all his plans for revenge. During act 2, Hamlet realizes his acts of revenge so far have been through word rather than deed. O, vengeance! Why, what an ass am I!
This is most brave, That I, the son of a dear father murder, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words, And fall a-cursing, like a very drab, A stallion! Fie upon! foh! (Act 2 Scene 2 Line 581) Despite this, Hamlet continues only to speak about his plans for revenge, and never puts any of his ideas in to practice until the last scene. At one stage Hamlet had a perfect chance to kill Claudius whilst he was praying but chose not to because doing so would have meant that Claudius would be sent to heaven, rather than hell. Hamlet ponders that idea, saying that Now he is playing villain kills my father and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. (Act 3 Scene 3 Line 76). Perhaps Hamlet thinks that patience will pay off for him in the long run, but unfortunately this is not so.
It is not until act five that revenge brings that play together. In scene 2, Hamlet is explaining to his best friend Horatio how he had been sent to his death in England. Two trusted advisers to the King, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern had traveled with Hamlet to England, carrying instructions from the King for Hamlets execution. In a moment of brilliance, Hamlet substitutes the letter from one demanding the execution of Rosencrantz and Guildenstem. Hamlet sees no immorality in this action, he simply sees it as part of his revenge on Claudius. Upon arriving back in Denmark, Hamlet is challenged to a duel with Laertes, who is still powered by the need to avenge his fathers death.
Hamlet accepts, but prior to the duel he attempts to apologize to Laertes and blames the murder on his madness. Laertes, who is still partly blinded by rage and anger, accepts Hamlets apology, but says he must retain his honor. He tells Hamlet that I am satisfied in nature, whose motives in this case should stir me most to my revenge; but in terms of honor I stand aloof I do receive your offered love like love and will not wrong it. (Act 5 Scene 2 Line 244) The pair prepare for their duel, and Laertes selected a sword or foil with a poisoned tip. This shows that Laertes was still not thinking straight because he would have realized that choosing such a sword could proved dangerous for him as well. Meanwhile, the King Claudius is announcing that he will toast each of Hamlets hits.
He accepts a flagon of wine for Hamlet and poisons it at the same time, although no one is aware of it. He also places a valuable pearl in the wine, as an extra incentive for Hamlet to drink from it. The duel began, with Hamlet gaining a hit against Laertes. The King attempted to get Hamlet to drink from the poisoned cup, but Hamlet denied the wine and Queen Gertrude was the first to drink from the poisoned cup. She falters away and the fencing bout continued. Laertes struck a blow against Hamlet with the tip of his poisoned sword, but the duel continued and the swords got swapped.
The next hit was made by Hamlet, who had the poisoned sword at that point in time. Just then the Queen collapses and the King attempts to cover it up by announcing that she doesnt like the sight of blood. The Queen denies this and tells the court that it was the drink! O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink. I am poisoned. (Act 5 Scene 2 Line 319).
At that point Laertes realizes that he has been used by the King and tells Hamlet that he will soon die, because his sword was poisoned too, and that the King was to blame. Finally, Hamlet has set the scene for the revenge that he has been craving. He attacks the King, pushing him over, and picks up the poisoned wine. He forces it down the Kings throat, yelling Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother.
Laertes dies, content that justice has been served and Hamlet himself dies soon after, his fathers 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. Ophelias death, for example could be blamed on Hamlets desire for revenge, whilst Hamlets death occurred as a result of Laertes quest to avenge his fathers death.
Hopefully, it is easy to see why I believe that revenge is the core theme in Shakespeare'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 An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth 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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Research essay sample on Analysis Of The Theme Revenge In Hamlet
