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Hamlet Violence Analysis

1487 Words6 Pages

Have you ever drifted away from your own sanity in hopes of getting revenge? Does the thought of violence or chaos cross your mind when it seems like the world is out to get you? In one of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, Hamlet, acts of violence seem to follow each and every character in the play. In the beginning, Shakespeare throws Hamlet into a whirlwind of change and endless emotions. With his father just being murdered by his uncle Claudius and Polonius banning the relationship between him and Ophelia, the only thought running through Hamlet’s mind was anger and revenge. The acts of violence throughout the play comes in three different forms; murder, suicide, and combat. Hamlet kills Polonius, Ophelia goes mad and commits …show more content…

After a short conversation between Gertrude and Polonius, Hamlet entered the room while Polonius, acting as a spy, hid behind a tapestry. As Hamlet converses with his mother, he hears something and thrust his sword in its direction, killing whatever had made the noise; Polonius(3.4.24-30). This sudden act of violence wasn’t intentional, however Hamlet felt no guilt in committing it. After purposely acting insane towards Ophelia, he knew that she would go back to her father and tell him. Polonius did everything to keep them apart, which eventually drove them both insane. The murder of Polonius not only sparked anger in the King, it sparked anger in Laertes, Polonius’s son. This specific scene of violence contributes to the overall meaning of this play by showcasing one of Hamlet’s diverse emotions. The lack of trust and constant paranoia controls Hamlet’s ability to think and act sanely. After Hamlet kills Polonius, his mother is quick to ask why he would commit such a sin. Hamlet quickly responds by belittling, insulting, and making fun of his mother for what sins she has committed. The ghost of King Hamlet then appears and reminds Hamlet that his mother is not the problem and that he must seek revenge for his father’s death. The violent act of Hamlet murdering …show more content…

After an agreement to a “friendly fencing match”(5.2.154-6), Laertes and Hamlet picked out their swords for battle. This specific act of violence leads to a snowball effect of devastating events. As Hamlet began to win the battle, Gertrude drank a poisoned drink that Claudius had intended for Hamlet to consume. Hamlet is stabbed with Laertes poisoned blade. All was the fault of the King. At this point in the story, readers begin to infer on who is going to live and who is going to die. In the end, everyone but Hamlet’s best man, Horatio, lives. This act of violence began the tragedy of this story. As a whole, this story is full of pain, disappointment, and lack of trust. Hamlet trusted no one and it got him far, but not far enough. Claudius trusted a selected few and still ended up being killed by Hamlet. Even though Hamlet got revenge for his father's murder he was too late. This combat scene between Laertes and Hamlet have the readers at the edge of their seats. Hamlet’s quick temper and clouded judgement cost him his life. Although this scene is primarily seen as one of disappointment and sadness, it could also be seen as one of relief or even hope. Hamlet got what he wanted by killing the king, Laertes got to join his sister and also got revenge on Hamlet for killing his father, and Claudius got what he wanted in Hamlet’s death. Horatio is the hope of the kingdom and is the only person left alive to

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His main goal is to ensure Hamlet’s death, which is motivated by his guilt. He writes a letter to the King of England saying to execute him, which fails. He then persuades Laertes to duel with Hamlet by feeding him lies. However, guilt brings out the truth in people, and Laertes confesses during battle the truth about Claudius and his plan. Hamlet furiously stabs Claudius to death.

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Laertes also experience tragic loss: his father Polonius died at the hands of Hamlet. Contrasting with Hamlet’s indecisive delay, Laertes hears of his fathers death while overseas, and without hesitation, he returns to Denmark to seek his father’s murderer. An effective foil, Laertes embodies the rapid action apparent nowhere in Hamlet’s decision making. Hamlet bears the burdensome knowledge that Claudius slew his father for a lengthy period, yet procrastinates and wastes time. As Richard Levin says, “Hamlet is grieving for months…

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Obviously, Hamlet is one of the readers favorite characters and someone the readers can root for throughout the play. We want Hamlet to get the revenge he desires, however, Claudius does not feel the same way the readers do. Thus, Claudius is conversing with Laertes to produce a plan to end our protagonist Hamlet once and for all. (4.7.107-139) Laertes has agreed to this plan because he wants payback for the death of his father Polonius and sister Ophelia. Meanwhile, Hamlet and Laertes

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Hamlet is a story about revenge and power, due to the recent death of the King of Denmark. The following events include madness, which leads to Hamlet killing King Claudius’ advisor, Polonius. Word about the death of his father got to Laertes who was in England. Laertes returned to Denmark to find his sister distraught and drove to madness. Shortly after his return, Ophelia is found dead by the cause of drowning.

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When Ophelia returns all his letters and gifts he tells her that he has never loved her and that she should “get thyself to a nunnery.” This is one example how his mood changes throughout the play. Then after all this her father, Polinous, is murdered by Hamlet. The Hamlet is sent away to England All of these actions result in her feeling such stress that she becomes insane in the end.

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The final duel between Laertes and Hamlet is also a major deception and the final scene of the play. Claudius set up the duel as a secret between himself and Laertes to end Hamlet’s life. Claudius is so set on killing Hamlet, he accidentally kills Gertrude, in the process along with everyone else in the scene, including himself. Thus, no one ever wins with

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During Ophelia’s funeral, the drama between Hamlet and Laertes magnifies which causes more hate between their families. Laertes provokes Hamlet into fighting him by Ophelia’s grave, with their families there to witness, by saying “[t]he devil take thy soul” (V, i, 243). Following this mishap, Laertes is informed by Claudius of a strategy to end Hamlet’s life in the near future. This immoral conflict being conducted in a place that already is commemorating death displays that they are inclined to cause more people to die. This plot to kill Hamlet is not beneficial to Hamlet’s success and only weakens his personal plot to kill Claudius.

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His suicidal thought and his erratic behavior cause for the king, queen, Ophelia and his friends to begin to spy on him just pushes him over the edge. His action cause concern for King Claudius who shows in ways that he is not trusting of Hamlet because of this the King begins to plot with Laertes to kill hamlet in fencing dual. During this dual Hamlet is stabbed and dies from the poison that was on the blade. Gertrude is seems to be a shallow woman in some ways yet King Hamlet, Hamlet and King Claudius are all devoted to her.

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As if what Hamlet was living was not extreme enough, the ghost of his father begins to appear to demand revenge for his death. Hamlet found out through his father’s goth that he was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle. It is very difficult to imagen the level of pain, anger, and desire of revenge after losing both parents under so bizarre circumstances. The evil actions of the uncle to take control of the throne, I have no doubt,

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In the end Hamlet steps up to plate, killing Claudius and putting the fate of Denmark in good

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The last act of cruelty leads all to their downfall. The King decides to use Laertes in his revenge against Hamlet and set them to dual in a match. The King poisons Laertes’ foil. He has also poisons a drink but as a dramatic turn of events, the Queen herself drinks it instead of Hamlet leading her to die.

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As Hamlet expresses his anger at his mother, he hears a noise from the tapestry, and, thinking it is a rat, kills Polonius with his sword (3.4.24). Hamlet is overcome with revenge, and becomes easily irritable. As a result, he kills Polonius inadvertently. The fact that revenge overrides any rational instinct in Hamlet reminds students that vengeance causes illogical thinking, and, in turn, serious consequences. Removing Hamlet’s cautionary exemplar would significantly impede a teenager’s apprehension of a critical life lesson.

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In Shakespeare’s, Hamlet, revenge plays a major role in how the characters act. They base their actions off of getting revenge. Hamlet, Laertes, and Young Fortinbras all are trying to get revenge for their fathers. All three of the characters use different methods for getting revenge and they all get different results. Shakespeare uses these three characters to show that revenge can consume you and that is all that you want and he shows how harmful it can be.

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However, continuing with Hamlet’s incessant need for vengeance, the actions and drastic measures he takes in order to achieve such certainty are both incredibly genius and rightfully insane. Despite his methods and lack of will to act until he is absolutely positive with his facts, Hamlet proves that his way is the best way. Although Hamlet had numerous opportunities to act upon his revenge, he waited until he was absolutely sure of his suspicions, even when he could have easily retributed in his own controlled environment. Unlike many other named characters, Hamlet did not let outside sources sway his perception and perspective on the situation. For example, Laertes had insisted that nothing could be said or done in order for him to change his mind on acting upon his own vengeance, yet Claudius’ words had done just that, and Laertes ended up paying the price when he was killed upon his own poisoned sword.

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Hamlet meets with his mother, who is in the room with Polonius. Polonius hides, Hamlet then kills him believing he was Claudius. Claudius notices that Hamlet is acting different and wants to send him England and will have him killed as soon as he get there. Polonius son Laertes hears the news and returns to Denmark from France, Laertes and Claudius meet and plan to kill Hamlet with poison. Laertes will challenge Hamlet to a duel and fight with a poisoned blade.

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