In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet’s understanding of justice is based on what he believes is right by God and his country; however, his actions to attempt revenge lead to his ultimate downfall through the other characters’ seeking the exact same justice. This common search for justice becomes the driving force of the entire play.
Hamlet’s understanding of justice and justification of revenge comes from the two central beliefs of his time: the divine right of kings and the social hierarchy. While his plot to kill Claudius may come from a personal conflict from Claudius killing his father, his primary reason behind his actions is to remove the rot “in the state of Denmark” (4.1.95). Through the idea of royal descent, the only way to remove the rot is to remove the cause, which Hamlet has identified to be Claudius. By killing …show more content…
When he discovers the secret letter sentencing him to death in England, he replaces it with his own directions to kill his friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. While this may seem to be a premeditated murder, a mortal sin, Hamlet justifies his actions through his finding of his “father’s signet” (5.1.54). He takes this, a symbol of the monarchy and therefore a symbol of God, as a command from God to send Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths. Hamlet’s belief that he is an instrument of God is also shown through his reasoning behind Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Polonius’ deaths. He blames Polonius’ death on his own nosiness, that “thou find’st to be too busy is some danger” (3.4.34). Even though Hamlet does not know if Rosencrantz and Guildenstern knew of the contents of the letter, he claims their deaths were by “their own insinuation”. That being betraying him by working with King Claudius (5.2.63). Therefore he sees himself as one acting out God’s judgment on those who have done him, the throne, and the country
Hamlet’s understanding of justice and justification of revenge comes from the two central beliefs of his time: the divine right of kings and the social hierarchy. While his plot to kill Claudius may come from a personal conflict from Claudius killing his father, his primary reason behind his actions is to remove the rot “in the state of Denmark” (4.1.95). Through the idea of royal descent, the only way to remove the rot is to remove the cause, which Hamlet has identified to be Claudius. By killing …show more content…
When he discovers the secret letter sentencing him to death in England, he replaces it with his own directions to kill his friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. While this may seem to be a premeditated murder, a mortal sin, Hamlet justifies his actions through his finding of his “father’s signet” (5.1.54). He takes this, a symbol of the monarchy and therefore a symbol of God, as a command from God to send Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths. Hamlet’s belief that he is an instrument of God is also shown through his reasoning behind Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Polonius’ deaths. He blames Polonius’ death on his own nosiness, that “thou find’st to be too busy is some danger” (3.4.34). Even though Hamlet does not know if Rosencrantz and Guildenstern knew of the contents of the letter, he claims their deaths were by “their own insinuation”. That being betraying him by working with King Claudius (5.2.63). Therefore he sees himself as one acting out God’s judgment on those who have done him, the throne, and the country