The sacred bond between a father and a son is one of the strongest bonds in existence. When it is severed, it can provoke thoughts of anger, especially in the form of revenge. The theme of revenge is apparent throughout Shakespeare's "Hamlet"; it is exemplified by Hamlet, Laertes, and young Fortinbras as they plot their revenge against the killers of their fathers.
             Hamlet is the first of the three to plan his revenge. While in mourning of the recent, mysterious death of his father, the king, he is contacted by a spirit, which bears resemblance to his father. When the ghost tells Hamlet that the new king, Claudius, is responsible for his father's murder, Hamlet proclaims that he will exist to avenge the death of his father. He will carry out the ghost's request: "Thy commandment all alone shall live/ Within the book and volume of my brain" (I.V.102-103). Though Hamlet has promised revenge, his actions are delayed.
             Hamlet decides that his revenge must wait for a while. He has realized that the ghost he has contacted might simply have been an evil spirit leading him to damnation. Instead of completely believing the ghost, he decides to set up Claudius in order to catch his conscience: "The spirit I have seen/ Maybe a devil/...Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds/ More relative than this. The play's the thing/ Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king" (II.II.594-601). Hamlet's plot for obtaining solid evidence for convicting the king is to have a play. The basis of the play will be a simple reenactment of the murder of Old Hamlet. Both Hamlet and his trusted advisor, Horatio, will watch Claudius for his reaction. This will give him sufficient reason to kill Claudius.
             Hamlet's plan for the play shows his fear of being tempted by the devil into damnation. This shows his religious beliefs yet again. The first example of his faith are in A...