Acts Of Revenge In Hamlet

Improved Essays
Kodiak Fisher

Death and war. Each word has one thing in common, they result in the other side wanting revenge. Whether it is a small act or the need to shed blood for blood, revenge is necessary. Revenge is a theme that is used throughout Hamlet. There are three acts of revenge within the play that develop the plot greatly. Fortinbras, Laertes, and of course, Hamlet's revenge plot.

To begin, Fortinbras revenge impacted the plot to extremely.[D1: state pos] Angered by his father's death, Fortinbras takes his chance for revenge. Fortinbras is like a crazed beast out for blood.[D2: simile] “I have some rights of memory in this kingdom” (act 4.scene 2) is a powerful phrase Fortinbras verbalizes.[E1: quote] This thickens the plot because Fortinbras is now trying to rule over a new country. The intense line “Exposing what is mortal, and unsure, To all that fortune, death, and danger dare, Even for an egg-shell.”(act 4.scene 4) deepens the plot of Hamlet. [E2: quote] If Fortinbras feels that he is exposing what is moral then he feels as if his revenge is accounted for. [D3: if/then] “Witness this army, of such mass and charge, Led by a delicate and tender prince”(act 4.scene 4) is another thought out line the character spoke. By
…show more content…
Hamlet sees a ghost, later we find out the ghost is Hamlet's father, telling hamlet to seek revenge. Hamlet replies to his father, "Speak; I am bound to hear." by him saying this he implies that its duty to listen to his father "So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear"(act 1 scene 5). Shortly after the ghost restates the message, but more blunt. "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder"(act 1 scene 5 ) meaning if hamlet ever truly loved his father he will seek revenge. "Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift / As meditation or the thoughts of love, / May sweep to my revenge" (act 1 scene 5) Hamlet tells his father to tell the story of his death and revenge will shortly

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    Referencing , It is almost as if “Hamlet is torn between doing what his father has commanded of him, and what he and all of society knows what is morally right ().” Immediately following Hamlet's conversation with the Ghost of his father he seems determined to fulfill his wishes in avenging his death, but his hesitation is later proven during Claudius’s repentance. While Claudius is kneeling and praying, Prince Hamlet is lurking behind him with a sword giving him the ability to carry out his revenge, However he hesitates while…

    • 2363 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Revenge tragedies often have barbarous scenes, a play within a play, grievances, and vengeful apparitions. In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, readers often see these key topics throughout the work and can associate them with the cycle between justice and revenge. Readers meet several characters in the play who attempt aggressive attacks to prove vengeance for their departed family, but as they grow more conscious of their problems, the characters mature out of their blood thirsty revenge and shape it into justice. Hamlet seeks forceful revenge when he is first approached by his father’s apparition, but, as his mind labors itself with countless thoughts, he feels more justice than revenge when he eventually finds action. Laertes,…

    • 1184 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Shakespeare does this to show the righteousness of justice and the indecency. The comparison between justice and revenge in Hamlet show that justice is the only successful way to resolve conflict because revenge will ultimately fail. This is noticeable in the just acts of: the ‘Mousetrap Play’, Claudius’ prayer, and the Norwegian sub-plot; and visible in the vengeful acts of: Claudius and Laertes’ plot against Hamlet, Laertes’ poisoning Hamlet, and Hamlet’s poisoning…

    • 1334 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is probably the most remarkable work of piece in the history of English literature. Today the themes and characters still plays a huge aspects of human nature. Maybe those aspects is to seek out vengeance, and what the outcome can have an effect on different reactions. Shakespeare did a wonderful work of actions for the characters of Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras, each of whom plan vengeance for the murder of their father. However each of them take different action even though they have relatively the same situations.…

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To begin with, revenge is a very predominant theme in this play mainly because of the importance given to it through the main character and many of the foil characters. In particular, however, Hamlet’s own need for revenge reveals a great deal about Shakespeare’s idea of revenge and that the need for it can cause people to lose balance in their lives. Throughout his conquest to kill Claudius and avenge his father, Hamlet’s balance and quality in his life slowly deteriorates with each progression he…

    • 1525 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The ghost tells him to avenge his death by stating, “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.4.29). This demonstrates that the ghost wants Hamlet to kill the one who has taken his life. The ghost not only tells Hamlet that he was murdered but gives information of who the killer is by saying, “ The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown” (1.4. 44-45). This shows that the ghost wants Hamlet to take the life of Claudius and get revenge for what he did to Hamlet’s father. This…

    • 619 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Shakespeare’s overall message that revenge does have boundaries is shown through tragedies that Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are put through due to their drive for revenge. Each of these characters seek vengeance for the murder of their fathers and each show the different effect that impulse can have and how it is human nature to run after it. To begin, Hamlet, the young prince of Denmark who mourns the death of his loved father, is shown In the early scenes…

    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After Hamlet’s father reappears as a ghost to Hamlet and asks Hamlet to avenge his death, Hamlet dedicates his life to seeking revenge for his father’s death. After the ghost disappears, Hamlet vows “Now to my word;/It is 'Adieu, adieu! remember me. ’/I have sworn ’t.”(Shakespeare I v 110-13). Hamlet made an unwise decision when he tried to prove that Claudius killed his father.…

    • 1737 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    One of the themes of hamlet was revenge and this is obviously something everyone has experienced and is triggered when something is unrightfully taken from them. In the case if Hamlet, it was the murder of his father. From the very beginning this short story it made clear of this, that hamlets father was unrightfully taken, and he want them to suffer for it. Hamlets has a great deal of determination for his revenge and we see this when after confirming Claudius as the killer he says the following. “Now Might I do it pat, now he is praying, and now I’ll do it.…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hamlet Revenge Essay

    • 1784 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The ghost appeared before Hamlet and told him “…a tale unfold whose lightest word/Would harrow up thy soul…” (1.5.19-20). The tale was bout his father’s murder. It wanted Hamlet to “…revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.25). Hamlet…

    • 1784 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Hamlet does not know how his father was murdered, but when the ghost asks him to take revenge, Hamlet could not be any more eager. Hamlet shows how eager he is when he says, “Haste…

    • 1690 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I could imagine the emotions Hamlet is going through at this part of the play. He is depressed and angry about what Claudius has done to his father. If I were Hamlet, I would be furious and want to get revenge immediately as well. “Haste me to know it, that I with wings as swift, As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge” (1.5.35-37). Hamlet tells his father to unfold more details about the crime his uncle commited, so he can plan his revenge and kill his…

    • 820 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.25) In this line, Shakespeare clearly shows the motive behind the ghost and reveals that the ghost has only one purpose in appearing in the world of the living. This becomes Hamlet’s mission throughout the course of the play and will lead to his ultimate destruction by hurting the people he loves and cares about. On the other hand the theme of madness is also present in Hamlet. Like mentioned earlier, the scene between the ghost and Hamlet also creates the origin of Hamlet’s madness which only worsens as the play goes on.…

    • 1487 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    The ghost implores Hamlet to seek revenge upon his Uncle for the traitorous act of poisoning the King. Shakespeare is known for writing about death and attracting the audience of his many plays to the intricate lives of his developed characters. The notion of revenge pulls the audience into the storyline of Hamlet’s insanity and revenge plot. Hamlet is faced…

    • 1514 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In the play, Hamlet meets the ghost of his father who informs him of his murder. Then the ghost asks Hamlet to take revenge which leads him into a confusing state of whether or not he should listen or handle the situation in a different way (1.4-5.19-28). As a result, the knowledge…

    • 1534 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays