Martin Cohen's Hamlet
Martin Cohen, English professor at Oregon State University, explains the themes of revenge, and anger through his analysis of Hamlet. Cohen’s analysis supports the thesis: the main cause of revenge stems from characters’ unresolved anger. Cohen discusses the impact revenge has on Hamlet’s life after his father’s murder, and explains the influence that outside forces have on Hamlet’s path to revenge. He even describes Hamlet as a heroic revenger tasked to avenge his father. Cohen also accentuates Laertes’ strong will to avenge the death his family, by stating that Laertes is prompted to revenge through the immense rage he feels. Cohen talks about how Laertes was a noble youth, but turned dark through rage. Fortinbras’ need for revenge is discussed