Hamlet: Revenge: Once An Honor, Now A Crime
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and
disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and
perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will
not find them. Those who wage war against you will be
nothing at all.” Isaiah 41:11, 12
Thesis - Revenge: an act that has been used since the beginning of time in order to inflict punishment upon one who has wronged another. Although revenge has been practiced for many years, society’s acceptance of it has changed significantly. In Shakespearean time, revenge was regarded as an honorable deed. In Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet”, Hamlet’s murdering of Claudius is looked upon as valiant; it was Hamlet’s revenge on Claudius ...
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brothers and Hamlet were painfully wronged and felt the need to seek revenge. It is possible that like Hamlet, the Menendez brothers will lose their lives as a result.
In “Hamlet”, written by William Shakespeare, revenge is a major theme. Claudius, (Hamlet’s uncle) maliciously poisoned Hamlet I in order to claim the throne of Denmark. Hamlet is left devastated and deeply depressed as a result of his father’s sudden death, and is embittered by his mother’s swift remarriage to Claudius. One night the ghost of Hamlet I appears and reveals to Hamlet the truth about his uncle and the truth about his death. The ghost says to Hamlet, “So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear,’ After explaining the heinous deeds of his brother, the ghost continues on and advises Hamlet “... howsoever thou pursuest this act, / Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive / Against thy mother aught...” The ghost has come to Hamlet, his son, and made him responsible for revenging his death ...
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to justify their actions - they felt that it was in some part, self defense. Although Cladius was plotting against Hamlet, he wasn’t aware of that fact until after he had resolved to murder Claudius.
As the play continues, Hamlet becomes very hesitant about killing Claudius. He procrastinates and finds it difficult to find the opportunity to make his move. In a soliloquy he criticizes himself for this procrastination. He finds a time where Claudius is alone, but, he is praying. Hamlet fears that if he murders Claudius at this time, that his sins will be forgiven and he will be exalted to heaven instead of rotting in hell. “... now he is praying; and now I’ll do’t .../ And so am I ...
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Hamlet: Revenge: Once An Honor, Now A Crime. (2006, September 17). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-Revenge-Once-Honor-Now-Crime/52515
"Hamlet: Revenge: Once An Honor, Now A Crime." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 17 Sep. 2006. Web. 20 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-Revenge-Once-Honor-Now-Crime/52515>
"Hamlet: Revenge: Once An Honor, Now A Crime." Essayworld.com. September 17, 2006. Accessed April 20, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-Revenge-Once-Honor-Now-Crime/52515.
"Hamlet: Revenge: Once An Honor, Now A Crime." Essayworld.com. September 17, 2006. Accessed April 20, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-Revenge-Once-Honor-Now-Crime/52515.
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