Hamlet: Revenge

Revenge is defined as “...a desire to do harm in return for a wrong; returning evil for evil; vengeance” (Webster Dictionary). Revenge is an extremely powerful tool which, if not used properly, can cause more detriment then benevolence. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, several of the characters are compelled to restore family honor by exacting vengeance. Young Fortinbras reclaims his father's lost honor by gaining territory; Hamlet must avenge his father's murder by killing Claudius; and Laertes must avenge his father and his sister by exacting revenge upon Hamlet. Each character is driven and controlled throughout the play by this desire and need for revenge.

Young Fortinbras’s motive is to regain the land that his father has lost to Hamlet’s, now deceased, father. Over the years, Fortinbras has brewed up a plan to avenge his father’s death. He has lived in Norway for many years, undisturbed by the Danish Crown, which has had its own problems in the past, including the death of their king and the reelection of an incompetent, know nothing king. With Claudius, the new King in power, Norway is able to go on with their plans of reconquest of the l

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Moreover, it was also not Hamlet’s aim to cause his sister’s death, for he loved her very much. His hatred for his uncle has already been displayed after Claudius married Hamlet’s mother.

In summation, Fortinbras differs in his revenge from Hamlet and Laertes. This newly acquired truth is only an addition to Hamlet’s troubles.

Hamlets’ incentive is to kill Claudius. His example is duly felt because he stays true to his goals. Fortinbras is not the type of ruler who is all for the people, by the people, of the people. Hamlet killed his father and caused his sister’s madness and later death. Hamlet follows his feelings, which eventually get the best of him, instead of his instincts. He is just at the right place, at the right time, which allows him to take revenge in a pacific but yet very effective way, with little effort. These actions, indirectly, cause him to murder Hamlet. Laertes, yet again, judged the book by its covers. Through this self-concerning attitude Shakespeare shows that internal conflict is the main force that compels the revenge in the three characters, Fortinbras, Laertes, and Hamlet.

Approximate Word count = 782
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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