Villains beyond Black and White The play Hamlet, one of the finest revenge tragedies of its time written in 1601 by William Shakespeare. The play became and remains a sensation in literature to this day. A large part of what sparked all the interest was the depth and complexities of Shakespeare’s characters particularly the villains. It called into question whether the villains were even truly villains at all or rather just the result of an unfortunate play of events leading them into their villainous act. Each one of them has motives inspired by love and loss and redeemable attributes the question is, is a villain merely the illusion of a one sided point of view? Evidently the villain is a matter of skewed perspective, Though yes both Claudius,
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He lost everything, his father, his sister and finally his life. Though he may be described as a villain, his actions were purely based on his love for his family and the pain and anger that came with their loss. Laertes anger is understandable after his father’s undeserved death: the lack of any punishment for the murder: as well as a lack of adequate funeral rites. When this is later topped off with the suicide of Ophelia, (who was driven to madness by Hamlet) Laertes harbours feelings of anger vengeance. Though they make him out to be the villain his response is in no way deprotonate to how he was wronged. Upon returning to the castle he joins forces with the King plotting the vengeful murder of Hamlet. However naturally things do not go as planned. Laertes is clearly overcome by guilt when the Queen (now poisoned by the cup intended for Hamlet) lays dying on the floor “And yet it is almost against my conscience” (5:2 288). Finally he reveals the entire plot, from the poisoned blade, to the imminent death of himself and Hamlet and the involvement of the king. As Laertes lays on his death bed they forgive one another; “Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, / Nor thine on me.” (5:2 323-324) This happens in order that Laertes and Hamlet souls can both die with clear conscious so that they may enter heaven. Laertes may have taken on a darker more destructive and vengeful role set off by the death of his father. However at the end of the play he redeems himself and dies
He lost everything, his father, his sister and finally his life. Though he may be described as a villain, his actions were purely based on his love for his family and the pain and anger that came with their loss. Laertes anger is understandable after his father’s undeserved death: the lack of any punishment for the murder: as well as a lack of adequate funeral rites. When this is later topped off with the suicide of Ophelia, (who was driven to madness by Hamlet) Laertes harbours feelings of anger vengeance. Though they make him out to be the villain his response is in no way deprotonate to how he was wronged. Upon returning to the castle he joins forces with the King plotting the vengeful murder of Hamlet. However naturally things do not go as planned. Laertes is clearly overcome by guilt when the Queen (now poisoned by the cup intended for Hamlet) lays dying on the floor “And yet it is almost against my conscience” (5:2 288). Finally he reveals the entire plot, from the poisoned blade, to the imminent death of himself and Hamlet and the involvement of the king. As Laertes lays on his death bed they forgive one another; “Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, / Nor thine on me.” (5:2 323-324) This happens in order that Laertes and Hamlet souls can both die with clear conscious so that they may enter heaven. Laertes may have taken on a darker more destructive and vengeful role set off by the death of his father. However at the end of the play he redeems himself and dies