Examples Of Sacrifice In Hamlet

NECESSITIES FOR A REVENGE TRIP by Yosef Kelly The act of taking revenge on someone for past wrong doings is known to never truly repair the damage that person has done. Seeking vengeance will consume one’s life and as a result when the goal is achieved the avenger is often left feeling empty. To achieve revenge sacrifices must be made and casualties are an inevitable outcome. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet there are many instances where revenge leads to sacrifice and death. A journey for revenge will often lead to ones own death, both physically and otherwise. Vengeance will lead to the deterioration of past connections and relationships. An avenger’s journey frequently results in the death of loved ones. To avenge one death will inevitably
In Hamlet’s case he sacrifices his mind state in order for him to get his revenge on King Claudius. After seeing Fortinbras’ army go off to war Hamlet states, “O, from this time forth my thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth.”(IV V 65-66) Through this statement one observes the death of Hamlet’s old self, which is to be buried in the second grave, as he now has to move into action in order to avenge his father. In a physical sense Hamlet’s quest to avenge his father comes at the price of his own death at the hands of Laertes. Through his physical death one observes that on his quest for revenge a grave was dug for Claudius and another for himself. On a journey for revenge one must also be willing to sacrifices other goals and future plans. For Hamlet, his death results in the destruction of the royal court that Hamlet was trying to restore to order. While on the verge of death Hamlet says to Horatio, “But I do prophecy th’election lights on Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.”(V II 348-349). Hamlet’s statement reveals that he sacrifices his chances of becoming King of Denmark in order to avenge his father. Hamlet’s revenge quest costs himself a lot of personal tragedy and much more to those around