Hamlet primarily created his own downfall with revenge
In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet is a play filled with struggle and sorrow. It is uncontestably written as a tragedy, but unlike other tragedies of the time, it is not written with the main focus of satisfying bloodlust. The major plot focus of Hamlet is Young Hamlet’s persistent need to debate the validity of seeking vengeance, and the consequences that result from his decisions. It is Hamlet’s inability to overcome his desire for revenge that leads him to death. Similar to Hamlet, Laertes is also blinded by a desire to avenge his father, and again like Hamlet, this leads to his eventual demise. The only character in a similar situation who is able to avoid a tragic death is Fortinbras. …show more content…
Young Hamlet was first introduced into the play as a thriving student, and by the conclusion he had become a murderer. The precipitating event that alters Hamlet’s disposition is when he first communicates with the ghost of King Hamlet and is urged to seek vengeance. The ghost declares that “Murder most foul, as in the best it is. But this most foul, strange and unnatural” (1.5, 27). In this passage Hamlets father is declaring that although murder is indeed unnatural, it is what needs to be done in order for Hamlet to get revenge. The ghost then states “I find thee apt, And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed that roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Wouldst thou not stir in this? Now, Hamlet, hear. 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown” (1.5, 32-40). When Hamlet is given this information, a tragedy of revenge begins as Hamlet sets out a plan to murder his uncle Claudius. Hamlet is able to justify the murder of Claudius for his father, however it is the unjustified and unintentional murder of Polonius that unsettles him. When Hamlets fathers ghost justifies who murdered him, it is clear to Hamlet that it was his uncle Claudius. When Hamlet was given this information, this was the …show more content…
However, this does not only concern Hamlet, but Laertes and Fortinbras as well. All three characters are discouraged with the issue of having avenge on their nemesis who have previously hurt their families. Fortinbras avoids destruction by calmly creating revenge, and therefore escapes tragedy unlike Laertes and Hamlet. Fortinbras reacts normally when his father is killed by king Hamlet, unlike Hamlet and Laertes who act revengeful right away. Fortinbras does have a plan for revenge, however he calmly deliberately forms a plan to avenge for his father’s death and take back his land. He creates an army, and arranges plans to have that army march to Denmark. However, unlike Hamlet, Fortinbras still has a strong connection with other family members. This is a quality that Claudius influences on Fortinbras to avoid war “We have here writ. To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras. Who impotent and bedred, scarely hears, of this his nephews purpose, to suppress his further gait herein” (1.2, 27-31). Instead of fighting, Claudius sends a message to Fortinbras sick uncle to influence Fortinbras to not seek revenge. “On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys. Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine, makes vow before his uncle never more to give th’ assay of arms against your Majesty” (2.2, 68-71). This statement momentarily explains that Fortinbras promises not
In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet is a play filled with struggle and sorrow. It is uncontestably written as a tragedy, but unlike other tragedies of the time, it is not written with the main focus of satisfying bloodlust. The major plot focus of Hamlet is Young Hamlet’s persistent need to debate the validity of seeking vengeance, and the consequences that result from his decisions. It is Hamlet’s inability to overcome his desire for revenge that leads him to death. Similar to Hamlet, Laertes is also blinded by a desire to avenge his father, and again like Hamlet, this leads to his eventual demise. The only character in a similar situation who is able to avoid a tragic death is Fortinbras. …show more content…
Young Hamlet was first introduced into the play as a thriving student, and by the conclusion he had become a murderer. The precipitating event that alters Hamlet’s disposition is when he first communicates with the ghost of King Hamlet and is urged to seek vengeance. The ghost declares that “Murder most foul, as in the best it is. But this most foul, strange and unnatural” (1.5, 27). In this passage Hamlets father is declaring that although murder is indeed unnatural, it is what needs to be done in order for Hamlet to get revenge. The ghost then states “I find thee apt, And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed that roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Wouldst thou not stir in this? Now, Hamlet, hear. 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown” (1.5, 32-40). When Hamlet is given this information, a tragedy of revenge begins as Hamlet sets out a plan to murder his uncle Claudius. Hamlet is able to justify the murder of Claudius for his father, however it is the unjustified and unintentional murder of Polonius that unsettles him. When Hamlets fathers ghost justifies who murdered him, it is clear to Hamlet that it was his uncle Claudius. When Hamlet was given this information, this was the …show more content…
However, this does not only concern Hamlet, but Laertes and Fortinbras as well. All three characters are discouraged with the issue of having avenge on their nemesis who have previously hurt their families. Fortinbras avoids destruction by calmly creating revenge, and therefore escapes tragedy unlike Laertes and Hamlet. Fortinbras reacts normally when his father is killed by king Hamlet, unlike Hamlet and Laertes who act revengeful right away. Fortinbras does have a plan for revenge, however he calmly deliberately forms a plan to avenge for his father’s death and take back his land. He creates an army, and arranges plans to have that army march to Denmark. However, unlike Hamlet, Fortinbras still has a strong connection with other family members. This is a quality that Claudius influences on Fortinbras to avoid war “We have here writ. To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras. Who impotent and bedred, scarely hears, of this his nephews purpose, to suppress his further gait herein” (1.2, 27-31). Instead of fighting, Claudius sends a message to Fortinbras sick uncle to influence Fortinbras to not seek revenge. “On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys. Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine, makes vow before his uncle never more to give th’ assay of arms against your Majesty” (2.2, 68-71). This statement momentarily explains that Fortinbras promises not