...In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, a lot of the characters tried to avenge a family member’s death by killing another person, which resulted in terrible consequences. There were many terrible sins committed, most of which were related to lies, betrayal and worst of all, murder. These terrible sins eventually led to negative consequences which built up and led to death. Everyone in the play Hamlet committed sins except for Horatio, who was the only survivor at the end of the play. This proves that all the other characters committed terrible sins that led to death. The sins and mistakes these other characters made led to their death. All of the characters in Hamlet deserved what they got. Both Hamlet and Laertes tried to avenge the death of a loved one by wanting to kill someone else. Claudius murdered his own brother for selfish needs; all three characters deserved death as a consequence. Young Hamlet has committed murder; Hamlet has killed his own uncle king Claudius for revenge. Revenge resulting to murder is a sin, which exactly what Hamlet did, he committed a sin. “A villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send.” (III.iii.76-77) After Hamlet found out the truth of his father’s death he decided to avenge his death, which meant killing Claudius. The thought of killing someone is a murderous sin. The fact that Hamlet wants to murder Claudius means that Hamlet has committed a sin. Hamlet did not only think about...
Words: 1245 - Pages: 5
...Home > Why Hamlet Delays His Revenge Why Hamlet Delays His Revenge (Excerpt from Quintessence of Dust: The Mystical Meaning of Hamlet) Kenneth Chan ... Hamlet is finally alone, and the stage is set for the soliloquy that gave rise to one of the most persistent mysteries in literature: Why does Hamlet delay his revenge? Hamlet Ay, so, God buy you. Now I am alone. Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! Is it not monstrous that this player here, But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, Could force his soul so to his whole conceit1 That from her working all his visage wanned, Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, A broken voice, and his whole function suiting With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing! For Hecuba! What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, That he should weep for her? What would he do Had he the motive and the cue for passion That I have? He would drown the stage with tears, And cleave the general ear with horrid speech, Make mad the guilty and appal the free,2 Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I, A dull and muddy-mettled3 rascal, peak Like John-a-dreams,4 unpregnant5 of my cause, And can say nothing--no, not for a king, Upon whose property and most dear life A damned defeat was made. Am I a coward? Who calls me a villain, breaks my pate across, Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face, Tweaks me by the nose, gives me the lie i'th'throat As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this? Ha, 'swounds, I should take...
Words: 7854 - Pages: 32
...play Hamlet: Prince of Denmark. The play is begun with the death of Hamlet’s father, which Hamlet finds to be unsettling from the start. Hamlet’s uncle Claudius then takes over the throne while Hamlet’s mother then marries his uncle. It is then that the ghost of his father, tells Hamlet that the very man who had become king murdered him in cold blood; the ghost brings the idea of revenge to Hamlet’s mind (Shakespeare 1547). While revenge is constantly on his mind throughout the play, there is also the idea that Hamlet must forgive those who have done wrongs to him or his family; this is shown through his dedication to religion. But in the end, Hamlet’s internal need to seek revenge for his father’s death is so great that he is ultimately unable to forgive his uncle. The play begins with the sudden death of Hamlet’s father, and his uncle Claudius, his father’s brother, taking the throne (Shakespeare 1550). Hamlet’s mother chooses to marry Claudius just days after the death of Hamlet’s father, and Prince Hamlet expresses his disgust through his soliloquies, where he exclaims, “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (Shakespeare 1553). After some time, Hamlet is brought out to a forest by two guards who have claimed to see the ghost of his father. After some deliberation, the ghost of Hamlet’s father does indeed appear and tells Hamlet that Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, the current king of Denmark, murdered him. Hamlet’s father tells him that he must avenge his death, but Prince Hamlet can only...
Words: 1396 - Pages: 6
...Shakespeare, why thou no talk normally. The title of the play is Hamlet By Shakespeare. The play was about Claudius who killed Old Hamlet because he wanted to become king instead of Hamlet. The title of the movie is The Lion King By Cris Sanders. The Lion King is about Scar who kills Mufasa. He becomes king and Mufasa’s son runs away and comes back a while later to recover his crown. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Disney’s The Lion King are similar because the brothers are evil and kill their brothers to become the ruler of the people. The two stories are different because the kings were killed in a different way. The Lion King and the play of Hamlet is similar by them being kings as well as the brothers killing them. In act 3, scene 3,...
Words: 605 - Pages: 3
...Hamlet’s plan, struggle, and inevitable death Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a very controversial story of how the entire royal family of Denmark was wiped out. Hamlet is doomed to die, but in his death Denmark would be purged of its evil. Through murderous plots and schemes, it is revealed that King Hamlet’s brother Claudius murdered him. Hamlet is the son of the late King Hamlet, he was supposed to be the next king, but Claudius quickly married Hamlet’s Mother to take the crown. During the play, it is shown why Hamlet is a considered a revenge tragedy. Throughout the play Hamlet’s view of death prevents him from taking action, but through accepting his fate he is able to finally kill his uncle, without thinking about his death. After Hamlet meets...
Words: 1871 - Pages: 8
...The Revenge in Hamlet The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often just called Hamlet, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare between 1599 and 1602. Hamlet is Shakespeare’s longest play and delivers one of the most famous lines in history, “to be or not to be.” The story is set in the Kingdom of Denmark and tells of the revenge Prince Hamlet has on his uncle Claudius. Claudius murdered his own brother, Hamlet's father and took over the throne. Claudius also marries Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Revenge, being the driving force in the play is also one reason why it is a tragedy. This tragedy has many themes, including: murder, corruption, deceit and insanity. But revenge is the driving force of the play. The need to exact vengeance on one's enemy is the driving force behind many pivotal events in human history. The object of every war is to get revenge on the other side and become the successful leader. Revenge is also a common motive for robbery and murder. There is no denying that revenge is one of the main reasons for terrible deeds in this world, but at the same time it is a basic human desire that everyone has. In the beginning of the play, the ghost of Hamlet’s dead father appears to Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo. The three beg the ghost to speak, but he refuses. Horatio tells Hamlet about the encounter once the ghost has gone. The ghost finally appears again and leaves with Hamlet to speak in private. Once alone, the ghost tells Hamlet that he is his...
Words: 1148 - Pages: 5
...makes it something to remember. In fact, it is the very concept that makes Hamlet stand out from other pieces of literature. The intense struggle between the two main characters make it one of Shakespeare’s most well-known pieces of writing. From beginning to end, two characters have the power to create, mould and exemplify countless themes throughout Hamlet. The fierce conflict between Claudius and Hamlet is essential to develop the action and inaction, revenge, the impossibility of certainty and appearance vs. reality themes. The contrast between action and inaction is emphasized between Claudius and Hamlet due to the conflict between these two characters. To begin, Claudius sends Hamlet to an almost certain death immediately after he suspects Hamlet’s knowledge of his father’s murder. Quickly, he confides in Rosencratz and Guildenstern that, “[Claudius likes Hamlet] not, nor stands it safe with [everyone] / [t]o let his madness range” (III.iii.1-2), and demands, “therefore prepare you. I your commission will forthwith dispatch / [a]nd he to England shall along with you” (III.iii.3-4). It seems Claudius proceeds impulsively, however his calculated and rapid actions are the key to the development of the theme of action. Claudius smoothly uses “[Hamlet’s] madness” as the source of his nephew’s departure, though it is his own safety that concerns Claudius. Next, Hamlet cannot find the strength to kill his father’s murderer throughout most of the play. “Now, whether...
Words: 1805 - Pages: 8
...One of the most unique things about the play Hamlet (with Hamlet playing the main character) is the way relationships between the main and lesser characters have not changed from Shakespeare's time period in which he wrote this play to the modern dilemmas of today. The character Hamlet relates through individualism of self to others in the play and Shakespeare uses this confusion of self and nature thus assuring many types of readers who can relate to his Hamlet characterization. Hamlet portrays himself with all his human flaws, but it is this humanity that makes him distinctive from everyone else in the story. In addition, all of Hamlet's waking hours are preoccupied with his own thoughts thus adding more intensity to his feelings and perceptions about where he sees imperfections, worry and tension as well as confusion, but without a doubt it is these human qualities which makes his situation so impossible for him to resolve easily. Another tragic role of the play is its irony. The irony allows the storyline to show humor as well as the cause and effects of each action taken. There is usually little reason for a tragedy to be funny so Shakespeare has used this type of humor to add more irony to the already tragic events of the play. Pause for thought is in the types of conflict that play a major part in the play and the relationships between Hamlet and the two people who have been closest to him; being Ophelia and the ghost. Hamlet cannot share his strong feelings and emotions...
Words: 1880 - Pages: 8
...Scene One Summary: Claudius, Gertrude, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern talk about Hamlet and his lunacy. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell the King and Queen that they have tried to find out the reason for Hamlet’s madness, but he avoids their questions. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell the King and Queen about the actors that have arrived at the court and will be giving a performance. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave, Claudius tells Gertrude that he has arranged for Hamlet to run into Ophelia, and Polonius and the King will hide and spy on their conversation to see if Hamlet is truly going crazy because he is in love. Gertrude tells Ophelia that she hopes that Hamlet’s madness is due to his love for her. Polonius tells Ophelia to read from a prayer book while waiting for Hamlet, which makes Claudius feels guilty as he remembers his own sin that he disguises with kind words. Then, Hamlet arrives speaking his famous to be or not to be speech. He is contemplating suicide, but he decides against it because he is worried that the environment after death will be even worse than the one he is living in right now. Ophelia then tells Hamlet that she has some of his mementos that she needs to return, which Hamlet denies ever giving her. Hamlet then goes into a dialogue with Ophelia that focuses on women and marriage. He is telling Ophelia to go to a nunnery because he does not believe in women or marriage anymore. Hamlet says that women use their beauty and power to fool their...
Words: 8879 - Pages: 36
...Gertrude tells Claudius about how Hamlet killed Polonius, and he thinks about how if he had been in Polonius’s place, he would be dead now. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern go to Hamlet and question him, but instead of answering directly he mocks them and calls Rosencrantz a sponge—he thinks he is just absorbing Claudius’s orders and being a lackey. Claudius starts to think about what to do with Hamlet. He asks Hamlet what happened to Polonius and Hamlet mocks Claudius and somewhat threats him, saying he should go find out for himself (in heaven or hell). Claudius says that he is going to send Hamlet to England, sending Guildenstern with him, and writes a letter to the King of England to kill Hamlet. Fortinbras is in Denmark with his army, and...
Words: 369 - Pages: 2
...the king did when he attacked the poles, travelling on an ice-sled. HORATIO(speaking to the GHOST): What are you, that you walk out so late at night, looking like the dead king of Denmark when he dressed for battle? By God, I order you to speak. GHOST disappears. HORATIO: What paranormal occurring are these? The sighting of a dead king’s ghost is a bad omen for the country. I must tell prince Hamlet about it. HORATIO exits. Scene 2: Enters CLAUDIUS, POLONIUS. CLAUDIUS: I still have fresh memories of my brother the elder Hamlet’s death, but life still goes on—I think it’s wise to mourn him while also thinking about my own well being. Therefore, I’ve married my former sister-in-law, the queen, with mixed feelings of happiness and sadness. I know that in marrying Gertrude I’m only doing what everybody have wisely advised all along. POLONIUS: I am happy for you sir. But your nephew-son Hamlet is still mourning his father’s death. He has still not shunted his black robes. CLAUDIUS: Call him. I want to talk to him right now. Enters HAMLET HAMLET: You wish to see me, sir? CLAUDIUS: Hamlet, you are such a good son to mourn your father like this. But overdoing it is just stubborn. It’s not manly. It’s not what God wants. Please give up this useless mourning of yours and start thinking of me as your new father. HAMLET: I’ll obey you as well as I can, sir. POLONIUS: We have business to attend to sir. CLAUDIUS: Very well. I think we should leave hamlet alone for now. CLAUDIUS and POLONIUS...
Words: 1527 - Pages: 7
...of Vengeance Hamlet is about to avenge; one specifically, it is about a sun-dried he revenge for the death of his father. In fact, Shakespeare has three different sons trying to get revenge for the death of their fathers. All three sons have a primary cause for revenge, develop plan to obtain revenge, deal of complications that arise with their plan, and resolve their attempt to gain revenge. fortinbras is a person attempting to gain revenge for the death of his father Horatio provides the reason fortinbras wants revenge as he waits with the guards for the ghost to appear. Horatio explains that’ [old] fortinbras of Norway/] backspace […/Was] geared to combat; in which our Valley and [old King] Hamlet/ […] Did say this fortinbras’ (1.181 – 85). Essentially worn bras is looking to avenge himself on Denmark because his father was killed by Denmark’s King Horatio goes on to explain why the country has been preparing for invasion. To help the user avenge “young fortinbras/ […] /Half in our skirts of Norway here and there/sharked up a list of lawless resolutes” (1.1.95 – 90). Fortinbras plans to use his army of “desperate men” to get his revenge. Unfortunately for him, his plan runs and problems. Claudius is aware of his preparations and wrote “to Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras / […] / […] To suppress”his attempts to gather his army “[sent] out arrests/on fortinbras” and made him vow before [the entire court] never more / to give th’assay of arms against [Claudius]” and instead...
Words: 1201 - Pages: 5
...survival. However, in The Tragedy of Hamlet, this belief is put to the test. The Tragedy of Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is a story set in medieval Denmark that focuses on the protagonist Hamlet and his quest for revenge. Hamlet struggles to avenge the murder of his late father, the former king of Denmark. As time passes Hamlet discovers that the murder was committed by none other than his uncle, the new king, Claudius. Hamlet’s inability to avenge his father is seen as a hidden warning to the audience. What this means is that William Shakespeare includes a message throughout...
Words: 726 - Pages: 3
...Denmark to go to Poland. When Hamlet encounters the captain of Fortinbras’s army, he says that the land they are going to try to claim is worthless. The captain says, “We go to gain a little patch of ground / That hath in it no profit but the name” (IV, iv, 19-20). Basically, the land is useless, yet Fortinbras still wants it. This again goes to support my point that Fortinbras isn’t in it for the land, but to enter Denmark and get his revenge. Furthermore, this scene seems to give Hamlet the motivation to carry out his revenge and kill Claudius. In our discussions, we questioned whether Hamlet actually wanted to kill Claudius. Through this scene, it seems like maybe he was hesitating a little before. But after he sees the army, he no longer has those doubts. Hamlet says, “The imminent death of twenty thousand men / That for a fantasy and trick of fame / Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot” (IV, iv, 63-65)....
Words: 662 - Pages: 3
...Courtney Cox Mrs. P. Breault ENG 4U December 11, 2013 A Case Study of Hamlet Soliloquies Act III, Scene iii, Lines 74-97 – spoken by Hamlet Now might I do it pat. Now he is a praying. And now I’ll do’t. And so he goes to heaven. And so am I revenged – That would be scanned. A villain kills my father, and, for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven Oh, this is hire and salary, not revenge. He took my father grossly, full of bread, With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May. And how his audit stand who knows save heaven? But in our circumstance and course of thought ‘Tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged To take him in this purging of his soul When he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No. Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, Or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed, At game a-swearing, or about some act That has no relish of salvation it ‘t- Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, And that his soul may be as damned and black As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. Summarize the context of the soliloquy, explaining what has happened just before to motivate this soliloquy * When Hamlet comes across Clauduis he is a praying. Just before Hamlet walks in on him praying Clauduis is confessing his sins for murdering King Hamlet and asking for forgiveness for what he has done with admitting his guilt is stronger...
Words: 1378 - Pages: 6
