Hamlet Essay

In the play “Hamlet” written by William Shakespeare, the theme of revenge is repeated throughout the plot. Revenge is shown in almost all the scenes and affects the whole story. In Hamlet we see the metaphor eye for an eye; the character shows revenge through rage and emotion, instead of rationalization. Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet all wanted to even the score for their father’s deaths. They were fueled with the drive to seek revenge for their fathers dying. The fathers that were murdered were rulers of three major families, the oldest son of each of these families were determined to bring the murders to justice for this crime. By taking this course of action two of the three sons will die while seeking out their acts of revenge. The final result will be that only one son will rise to power.

All three kings were murdered and their sons all felt the same rage and injustice. Hamlet quotes, “Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift as medication or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge”(1381).For family members during this time, revenging the murder of the father was part of one’s honor to their family. All of the sons swore revenge and then went on their way to seek revenge for the deaths of their fathers. According to Harold Skulsky, the author states, “The play, however, taken as a whole, is rather more obliging; for it illustrates two popular alternatives – the law of the talon and the code of honor, we may call them –either of which Hamlet might well choose”(78). The major theme in the play “Hamlet” is revenge. Fortinbras took his revenge out in a clever way which leads him to rise and rule in the end. Laertes and Hamlet, however, achieved their revenge through strength. The lack of poor judgment ended up costing both Laertes and Hamlet their