Some literary works may often deal with the concept of redressing a wrong in order to obtain justice and bring closure. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a prime example of this as Hamlet looks to bring justice to his father’s murder by the hand’s of Claudius. However, Hamlet begins to stray from his moral code as the play progresses and his gradual decay impedes him from completing what he first set out to do. Hamlet’s rage fueled quest signifies the theme of vengeance corrupting one’s morals.
The recurring motif of revenge seen throughout the play plays a central role in Hamlet’s progression throughout the story and begins to alter his personality. At the onset of the play Hamlet it highly depressed with the recent passing of his father and …show more content…
After stabbing him, Hamlet pleads to his mother to abandon the side of Claudius and tortures her by scolding her for the sins she has committed. This leads to ghost Hamlet appearing to Hamlet and stating, “Do not forget: this visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.” (III.iv.112-113) The ghost of Hamlet sees that Hamlet has strayed off the task at hand and failed to complete his task with his recent opportunity. The falling action follows as Hamlet is sent to England to be killed but turns on Guildenstern and Rosencrantz by having them killed when they arrive to England. Along with their deaths, Ophelia dies due to the insanity that is caused by the murder of her father by Hamlet. Hamlet is beginning to accumulate a body count of innocent deaths that he shows little to no remorse for. Hamlet’s recently acquired knack for violence leads him to foolishly accept the duel that has been set up between him and Laertes by Claudius in order for Laertes to gain justice for his father’s death. Hamlet’s judgment is clouded by his lust for revenge and he fails to recognize the trap that has been laid out for him. As the denouement approaches, Hamlet will continue to be the cause of death for others and even …show more content…
While Hamlet is succeeding in the battle, Gertrude drinks some of the poisoned wine, left out by Claudius for Hamlet, to honor him. As Gertrude collapses, Hamlet and Laertes wound each other with the poisoned blade and Laertes reveals to Hamlet that Claudius is at fault for all of that has occurred. Hamlet fulfills his promise to his father by stabbing Claudius with the sword and making him drink the poison. Hamlet got what he wanted but at the cost of many innocent deaths and his own. Hamlet states, “O good Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!” (V.ii.345-346) Hamlet realizes that he will leave a bad reputation because no one knows what actually occurred. This shows that Hamlet still has no remorse for the death of the others but only his reputation as he tells Horatio to “ tell my story”.
The recurring motif of revenge seen throughout the play plays a central role in Hamlet’s progression throughout the story and begins to alter his personality. At the onset of the play Hamlet it highly depressed with the recent passing of his father and …show more content…
After stabbing him, Hamlet pleads to his mother to abandon the side of Claudius and tortures her by scolding her for the sins she has committed. This leads to ghost Hamlet appearing to Hamlet and stating, “Do not forget: this visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.” (III.iv.112-113) The ghost of Hamlet sees that Hamlet has strayed off the task at hand and failed to complete his task with his recent opportunity. The falling action follows as Hamlet is sent to England to be killed but turns on Guildenstern and Rosencrantz by having them killed when they arrive to England. Along with their deaths, Ophelia dies due to the insanity that is caused by the murder of her father by Hamlet. Hamlet is beginning to accumulate a body count of innocent deaths that he shows little to no remorse for. Hamlet’s recently acquired knack for violence leads him to foolishly accept the duel that has been set up between him and Laertes by Claudius in order for Laertes to gain justice for his father’s death. Hamlet’s judgment is clouded by his lust for revenge and he fails to recognize the trap that has been laid out for him. As the denouement approaches, Hamlet will continue to be the cause of death for others and even …show more content…
While Hamlet is succeeding in the battle, Gertrude drinks some of the poisoned wine, left out by Claudius for Hamlet, to honor him. As Gertrude collapses, Hamlet and Laertes wound each other with the poisoned blade and Laertes reveals to Hamlet that Claudius is at fault for all of that has occurred. Hamlet fulfills his promise to his father by stabbing Claudius with the sword and making him drink the poison. Hamlet got what he wanted but at the cost of many innocent deaths and his own. Hamlet states, “O good Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!” (V.ii.345-346) Hamlet realizes that he will leave a bad reputation because no one knows what actually occurred. This shows that Hamlet still has no remorse for the death of the others but only his reputation as he tells Horatio to “ tell my story”.