Is revenge always evil? Discuss in relation to two plays you have read.
One of the key themes that is predominant throughout Shakespeare’s works is that of revenge, but more importantly it is the outcomes that surround the main characters due to their partaking in revengeful ways that creates the lasting impression on the reader. Titus Andronicus is a typical example of Shakespeare’s love of a good revenge tale. From the onset, its is evident that revenge in the from of murder is the chosen method. In Hamlet, this seems to also be the case as Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his Uncle, for murdering his father. The saying an eye for an eye springs to mind, yet as both plays progress it becomes shockingly obvious that one deed does not right the wrong committed by another.
As Titus is believed to be Shakespeare’s first play, it may be seen that the sheer volume of revenge that this play exudes is due to the fact that Shakespeare may be trying to emulate the bloody and violent revenge plays of his contemporaries, due to their popularity in the sixteenth century. This is evident from Act I, and becomes ever more apparent throughout. It is also not only Titus who sets out on his path of revenge but, as the play is centered around him and his misfortunes it is Titus’ story of deceit, revenge and also mental instability that we are forced to focus on. One of the key scenes in highlighting the element of revenge and Titus’ mental health is that of when Tamora presents herself to, in her opinion, the mental impaired Titus as revenge: ‘I am revenge; sent from the infernal kingdom/ To ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind/ By working wreakful vengeance on thy foes’ The use of the word ‘wreakful’ in this passage is the key element that highlights the revengeful nature of Titus and his actions as evil. Yes, it may be said that due to the opening of this play, and Titus’ first vengeful action of killing Tamora’s son to right the murder of his own son in battle that in this case the revenge Titus seeks is not evil, but as the play progresses it
As Titus is believed to be Shakespeare’s first play, it may be seen that the sheer volume of revenge that this play exudes is due to the fact that Shakespeare may be trying to emulate the bloody and violent revenge plays of his contemporaries, due to their popularity in the sixteenth century. This is evident from Act I, and becomes ever more apparent throughout. It is also not only Titus who sets out on his path of revenge but, as the play is centered around him and his misfortunes it is Titus’ story of deceit, revenge and also mental instability that we are forced to focus on. One of the key scenes in highlighting the element of revenge and Titus’ mental health is that of when Tamora presents herself to, in her opinion, the mental impaired Titus as revenge: ‘I am revenge; sent from the infernal kingdom/ To ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind/ By working wreakful vengeance on thy foes’ The use of the word ‘wreakful’ in this passage is the key element that highlights the revengeful nature of Titus and his actions as evil. Yes, it may be said that due to the opening of this play, and Titus’ first vengeful action of killing Tamora’s son to right the murder of his own son in battle that in this case the revenge Titus seeks is not evil, but as the play progresses it