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Revenge And Vengeance In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Revenge And Vengeance In William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Over the ages, the play “Hamlet” has been interpreted through many different themes. In the play, we learn that revenge does not always lead to its expected outcome. Throughout the play, several people seek revenge: Hamlet and Laertes. Each of these characters felt the need to avenge their father’s death in order to fulfill the honor and restoring it to their family. Although they were all similar in class, age, and ambition, they each have a characteristic that show how they took action in vengeance.

Hamlet’s was the first to plan vengeance. When he is visited by a ghost (known to be his father), he requested to take vengeance upon Claudius, the king’s brother. Not only did Claudius murder the king for his place in power, but to marry his …show more content…
Although Hamlet’s act was mistaken by identity, Laertes made quick judgment upon him. Short-tempered, Claudius provoked him to killing Hamlet. Claudius and Laertes made a plan to poison Hamlet by placing it upon Laertes’ sword and a glass of wine. As they were sword-fighting, queen Gertrude drank Hamlet’s wine, not knowing it was poisoned. Fighting, Laertes strikes Hamlet and in a scuffle the swords are switched and Hamlet strikes Laertes. As Laertes begins dying, he confesses, “The treacherous instrument is in thy hand, unbated and envenomed. The foul practice hath turn'd itself on me… The king, the king’s to blame” (5.2.312-316). As Gertrude and Laertes perish, Hamlet successfully kills Claudius and departed along with them.

Revenge for Hamlet and Laertes had many unexpected turns and consequences. Even though Hamlet was able to avenge his father’s death, it resulted in losing Polonius and his own life. Having to risk his own life, Laertes’ revenge ended up successful as well. Depending on the situation, the consequences of our actions may be better than revenge itself.Even though revenge might sound like a bad idea, it can be a bad idea not to do anything as
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