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Revenge In Hamlet Research Paper

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Samuel Johnson is attributed with having said, "Revenge is the act of passion, vengeance is an act of justice." This means that revenge is done because of one's strong emotions and vengeance is because one's feelings of fairness. A reoccurring theme throughout Hamlet is revenge, usually it is because of the death of a father. Many of the important characters Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras all want to avenge the wrongful death of their father. Hamlet and Laertes are similar characters that are each other's foils, but Hamlet is the one is the one who reacted properly when dealing with his father's death. Hamlet is the main protagonist of Hamlet and is the one that the reader supports throughout the play. This character is the son of the …show more content…

For a vast majority of Hamlet this character is away at college and seems to not matter much to the plot of the play. However, there are changes when Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius. Simon Blackmore observes: If in a former brief appearance, Laertes left a good impression, he now destroys it by actions which disclose his real character. Naturally impetuous, fiery of temperament, and ruled by passion rather than by reason, he reveals himself, on returning from his libertine life in Paris, as indifferent to noble ideals of honor and of justice, and willingly agrees to become the base tool of a crafty criminal. (Blackmore) This quotation shows that while Laertes seems to be a caring, calm person when he is first introduced; this façade soon falls away when there is trouble. His father's death shows his true character, that he is a passionate person that is quick to anger. Immediately after finding out about his father's death, he returns to Elsinore questions King …show more content…

In contrast, Laertes reacted rashly to the death of his father by quickly planning the attack on Hamlet and trusting that what Claudius tells him is best for his well-being. Part of the reason that Laertes reacts differently than Hamlet is because Laertes is Hamlet's foil; this means that the goal of Laertes is opposite of Hamlet. Hamlet is a thinker and Laertes is a doer; this leads to Hamlet taking the entire play to attack Claudius and Laertes attacks Hamlet the same day that decides that this is the only plan of action. One instance that shows how Hamlet ponders before making rash decisions is when he overhears Claudius confessing, "My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer / Can serve my turn? "Forgive me my foul murder?'' (3.3.53-34). Claudius confesses aloud to God, not knowing that Hamlet can overhear what he is saying. Still Hamlet does not act even though Claudius says that he killed King Hamlet. Wright acknowledges this by stating, "When he finds Claudius at his prayers, he does not take his revenge by stabbing him but delays for a more fitting time. Had he reacted automatically, as the choleric Laertes would have done, he would have killed Claudius and realized too late that he had slain him in a moment of repentance and given him the rewards of heaven." (13). This shows the key

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After the death of his father, Laertes becomes consumed with anger and willing to do whatever it takes to avenge his father's death. He bargains with Claudius, hoping to use his loyalty to gain the power to take revenge. Laertes falls into depression as he realizes the consequences of his actions, ultimately leading to his tragic end. Laertes' story shows how grief can drive individuals to extremes as they seek justice for their loss. "Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet; Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me."

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The Awakening Of Hamlet and Laertes Comparing Laertes and Hamlet. Figuring out how they are alike and dislike in many ways, most of the play they are well alike. After Hamlet kills Polonius, Laertes down the road faces the same problems as Hamlet; a murdered father. In the beginning Laertes and Hamlet didn’t have the same similarities, but since both of there fathers were murdered they both have something in common. While Hamlet, is messing around and playing with the murderer as if he was an animal, Laertes takes immediate action.

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Throughout the last two acts of the novel, we see Laertes change from an impulsive instigator into a more wise and rational person who realizes he is in the wrong. After he first learns of his father’s death, Laertes is seething due to his misery, and consequently, strives for immediate retaliation. Contrastingly, at the conclusion of the duel scene, he is downcast over his looming death and the fact that he has caused Hamlet’s death, while also being ashamed of how quick he was to murder. Though to some, Laertes may be a seemingly insignificant character, it is Laertes affliction (as a result of his father’s death) that ultimately drives the novel to its grievous climax. Albeit tragic, if the end scene would not have happened, Laertes would not have had the opportunity to discover that he was wrong, and thus change.

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As shown, Laertes is taking his father’s death in a much more decisive stance than Prince Hamlet. Laertes goes straight to the issue and immediately demands vengeance on Claudius, whom he thinks is responsible for Polonius' murder. Laertes is ablaze with motivation and action, and says that he will throw "conscience and grace to the profoundest pit"(IV, v, 130). Unlike Laertes, Prince Hamlet doesn’t take any action when he was first informed about his father's death, which in comparison shows how both Prince Hamlet's and Laertes's personalities are in contrast with each

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Almost as bad, good mother, As kill a king, and marry with his brother… Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune.” Laertes shows he is impulsive when he says he is going to kill Hamlet with a poisoned sword.

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