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Revenge In Hamlet Research Paper

999 Words4 Pages

In the play hamlet by William Shakespeare, the theme of revenge is put into perspective when the ghost appears before hamlet and reveals the truth behind his death. The burning desire for revenge is instantly fixated into hamlets mind and the emotion that hamlet displays after his otherworldly encounter convinces the audience that his conviction for revenge is indeed real. As the play progresses we see hamlet get put into these situations where his revenge could be fulfilled, but he somehow manages to cower away or finds an excuse to not go through with it. thus the question is put forth, why does hamlet delay his revenge ? One of which being hamlets idea of the afterlife and how he does not want Claudius to go to heaven, his self-image and …show more content…

Hamlet has numerous chances to exact his revenge on Claudius but he ends up with a mental conflict and over thinking the opportunity in order to accomplish the act. he had a clear opportunity in act three when he sneaks into the chapel where Claudius was attempting to pray . he keeps telling himself to stop and find a better chance to kill Claudius by over thinking the situation and outcome. His ideology on the after life is a major contributing factor to why he does not kill Claudius. The irony of this scene is that hamlet thinks that Claudius is praying when in actuality he is not. Since Christian religion is reflected in the play, hamlet does not kill Claudius because he thinks Claudius will go to heaven as he is confessing his sins. (3.3,80-83). This quote displays the point on hamlets strong belief and obedience to Christianity. As he is about to kill Claudius he stops and wonders what will happen as a result. He will satisfy …show more content…

(3.3.89-100). This quote displays hamlets character and how he is a man of words instead of the man of action. It is easy for the audience to doubt his words at this point because he has failed to live up to his previous words from previous scenes. This quote furthers our understanding on hamlets point of view on religion and how he believes that Claudius will go to hell when he dies while doing a something sinful like drinking or swearing during a card game. He declares yet again that he will kill Claudius, but this time while he is indulged in sinful

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