What Is Hamlet's View Of Revenge

Revenge is demonstrated as a destructive force in the play Hamlet, as it shows to destroy the entirety of a kingdom and the wholesome of his family. Revenge is a constant theme throughout the play consisting of three revenge plots, all of which involve seeking vengeance for the death of his father. In Hamlet, Shakespeare challenges the common beliefs about revenge. The common belief of revenge is typically a good or rewarding outcome. It is often said “revenge is sweet,” but is revenge may not always be sweet, as in the case of Hamlet, a bittersweet affair attained at a high price.
Revenge causes one to act blindly through anger, rather than through reason. Fortinbras, Hamlet, and Laertes were all looking to avenge the deaths of their fathers.
The ethical concerns Hamlet has for Claudius and Gertrude are clear to see, at the time, the church considered marriage to a sister in law equivalent to incest. Hamlet's ethical concerns surrounding his mother's sudden remarriage is overtly expressed when Gertrude asks Hamlet at her wedding, "If it be, why seems it so particular with thee?" (Hamlet 1.2. 76) Hamlet argues Gertrude's charge that he is being hypocritical, "Seems, madam? Nay, it is, I know not 'seems'…" (Hamlet 1.2.77) For him, she is the one who has shown hypocrisy and he does not agree with her 'seems' (Hamlet. 1.2.76) Whereas, Hamlet's social concerns for Denmark is entirely centered around the king and the influence he might have on the rest of the kingdom. Hamlet makes use of an ambiguous pun that portrays his dislike towards Claudius's insincerity and Claudius's attempt to polish over what has happened. Hamlet displays clear opposition, "A little more than kin, and less than kind", (Hamlet 1.2.64) Hamlet’s relationship with Claudius is more intimate than it seems (an uncle and a 'father'), but he resents him and has no feelings of liking or connection for Claudius. (Shakespeare 2008:158). In this text it is clear that Claudius has had enough of the bashing of Denmark and thoughts of attack and quickly addresses the
Fundamentally, Hamlet expresses the dilemma of living in that world. Marcellus' remark "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (Hamlet 1.2. 65), which reveals the corruption that is found on all levels in the state. As a result, there are frequent references to, and images of corruption. Claudius is hopelessly corrupt, guilty of the murder of his own brother and the murder of the king. Hamlet refers to Claudius as "a Canker in our nature" (Hamlet 2.2. 290). The relationship between Claudius and Gertrude, which begins with adultery, is immoral but this is overlooked by the population. The corruption Claudius embodies taints everything: Polonius, Laertes, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern all lose their moral sense under Claudius's manipulation. The penalty they pay is the loss of their lives. There is an explicit link between the moral legitimacy of a ruler and the health of the nation. If this is flawed, the state, "the body" (Hamlet 1.2.163), is sick, so Denmark is frequently referred to as a body made ill by corruption. Laertes ironically says to Hamlet (Hamlet 1.2. 20-21) "that on his choice depends/ the sanity and health of this whole state." Unknowingly, he has hit upon Hamlet's task in the play- to restore soundness and morality to Denmark. The consequences of murder for Claudius (Shakespeare 2008: