Hamlet's Responding To Literature

Responding to Literature: Revenge Throughout Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, lies one ever so evident theme, revenge. The events throughout Hamlet are motivated by the characters quests for vengeance. In writing Hamlet Shakespeare valued the concept of revenge immensely; However, he throws a spin on the popular idea of “sweet” revenge. He demonstrates the destructive nature of revenge and the actual chaos that ensues. The concept of revenge exists in our society to support one’s honor. Often times revenge is seeked in order to defend a family's name, or in an effort to seek justice. Shakespeares hesitation toward the act of revenge for justice or honor can be seen in Hamlets indecisiveness toward taking action and the terrible fates of all who …show more content…
During the opening act, Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his deceased father. The ghost confronts Hamlet about his ever so sudden death, advising Hamlet to seek vengeance, “So art thou to revenge when thou shalt hear” (60; Act. 1, Sc. 5). The ghost directly address the issue of revenge multiple times while visiting Hamlet, also saying: “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder”(62; Act 1, Sc 5). The ghost of Hamlet’s father urges Hamlet to take immediate action towards avenging his father’s death. At this point in the play Hamlet is seen as eager to do as his father wishes. He replies, “Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge”(62; Act 1, Sc. 5). Hamlet wants to seek revenge no matter the cost and as quickly as …show more content…
Often, when someone is thirsty for revenge, they are not at all sane. Hamlet becomes so fixated on the terrible tragedies that have been committed, that it begins to consume his life and the lives of the people around him. Shakespeare emphasizes Hamlets questionable sanity by having Hamlet question himself. Hamlet begins to wonder if his imagination and grief is getting the best of him. He hatches a scheme to determine his uncles guiltiness. “There is a play tonight before the king. One scene of it comes near the circumstance which I have told thee of my father’s death. I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot, even with the very comment of thy soul observe mine uncle” (154; Act 3, Sc. 2). Hamlet's uncle is observed reacting faint upon the sight of the murder act that so much resembles his own. This only serves to further Hamlets thirst for revenge, as now he is sure his mind is not eluding