How Does Shakespeare Use Forgiveness In Hamlet

Josh Williams
Dr. Kurt Haas
ENGL 355
December 2, 2014
Revenge and Maddness in Hamlet In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is easy to see the theme of revenge. Many have argued that the main theme in the play could also be that Hamlet is mad and has lost his mind due to the death of his father and the betrayal of his mother. However, it can be argued, based on Renaissance ideas of revenge that the reason Hamlet is believed to be mad is because he was seeking revenge against those who he was told hurt him. Revenge in Shakespeare’s time was not a thing to be glorified. In fact, it was considered to be foolish. “That which is past is gone, and irrevocable; and wise men have enough to do, with things present and to come; therefore they do but
O God!
Ghost. Revenge this foul and most unnatural murther.”-Act 1, scene 5, lines 1-25. The fact that Hamlet believes a supernatural being so readily lends itself to the notion that he is a fool, as noted earlier. Before this point the prince had not the slightest inclination that his father was victim of a crime. Why would he then trust the word of a ghostly figure he did not immediately recognize? That Hamlet is rather easily guided to the path to seek revenge speaks volumes to his fragile mental state after the loss of a loved one.
“And wee see that the soule in her passions doth rather deceive itselfe, by framing a false and fantasticall subject unto itselfe, yea against her owne conceit, than not to worke upon something. So doth their owne rage transport beasts to set upon the stone or weapon that hath hurt them; yea and sometimes with irefull teeth to revenge themselves against themselves, for the hurt or smart they feele.” –Montainge The quote by Montainge on revenge is a very telling clue as to the type of person that was believed to seek revenge in this time period. Hamlet seems to be an exact example of what the passage is
For as for the first wrong, it doth but offend the law; but the revenge of that wrong, putteth the law out of office. Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince 's part to pardon. And Solomon, I am sure, saith, It is the glory of a man, to pass by an offence. That which is past is gone, and irrevocable; and wise men have enough to do, with things present and to come; therefore they do but trifle with themselves, that labor in past matters. There is no man doth a wrong, for the wrong 's sake; but thereby to purchase himself profit, or pleasure, or honor, or the like. Therefore why should I be angry with a man, for loving himself better than me? And if any man should do wrong, merely out of ill-nature, why, yet it is but like the thorn or briar, which prick and scratch, because they can do no other. The most tolerable sort of revenge, is for those wrongs which there is no law to remedy; but then let a man take heed, the revenge be such as there is no law to punish; else a man 's enemy is still before hand, and it is two for one. Some, when they take revenge, are desirous, the party should know, whence it cometh. This is the more generous. For the delight seemeth to be, not so much in doing the hurt, as in making the party repent. But base and crafty cowards, are like the arrow that flieth in