Theme of Three in Hamlet: Revenge The best things often come in three: the primary colors, the three little pigs, and even the ingredients on a BLT. However, in terms of literature, the number three is not always an indication of righteousness. In fact, the number three usually indicates evil, or in the case of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the theme of revenge. The three instances of revenge in Hamlet includes the seeking of retribution by Prince Hamlet for the death of King Hamlet, the death of Polonius by Laertes, and finally Young Fortinbras also seeks revenge for the defeat of his father. William Shakespeare is “widely considered the greatest dramatist of all time. However, who exactly was this man? While much of his life, especially his youth, is unclear there is documentation
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This conflict is introduced by the end of the first act when young Hamlet is paid a visit by an apparition. This ghost of course being his father, who relates that he was murdered by his own brother Claudius, via the old “poison in the ear while napping under a tree” trick (Shakespeare 675). At this point, Claudius has accepted the role as the new king, and also married Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. King Hamlet insists Gertrude is innocent, but that young Hamlet must punish Claudius for his transgressions. Hamlet goes to great lengths to confirm the word of the apparition, and even has a play performed titled “The Murder of Gonzago” which was designed to evoke emotion from Claudius, and thus confirms his guilt. Young Hamlet misses opportunity after opportunity to kill Claudius, and only succeeds after Claudius has already orchestrated that Hamlet be killed (Shakespeare 694). Technically, young Hamlet did murder Claudius, but he had very little time to reflect on his achievement because Hamlet died moments later, along with nearly everyone in Elsinore
This conflict is introduced by the end of the first act when young Hamlet is paid a visit by an apparition. This ghost of course being his father, who relates that he was murdered by his own brother Claudius, via the old “poison in the ear while napping under a tree” trick (Shakespeare 675). At this point, Claudius has accepted the role as the new king, and also married Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. King Hamlet insists Gertrude is innocent, but that young Hamlet must punish Claudius for his transgressions. Hamlet goes to great lengths to confirm the word of the apparition, and even has a play performed titled “The Murder of Gonzago” which was designed to evoke emotion from Claudius, and thus confirms his guilt. Young Hamlet misses opportunity after opportunity to kill Claudius, and only succeeds after Claudius has already orchestrated that Hamlet be killed (Shakespeare 694). Technically, young Hamlet did murder Claudius, but he had very little time to reflect on his achievement because Hamlet died moments later, along with nearly everyone in Elsinore