Preview

Hamlet Is Wrong Not To Revenge

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1210 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Hamlet Is Wrong Not To Revenge
John Doe
Professor
Hamlet afpi “Revenge is wrong, yet Hamlet is wrong not to revenge.”
-Andrew Folley
In Shakespear’s Hamlet, a theme of revenge is shown throughout the play in which each character seeks out differently. The two polar opposites being Prince Hamlet and Prince Fortinbras are often discussed due to their different methods of action or in Hamlet’s case, no action. Assuming one has read the play, in the end, we are left with Hamlet’s dying wish for Fortinbras to be King. Because there is not anyone left to take the throne, the audience is expected to accept the fact that Fortinbras will be king and everything will be okay. The play has no conclusion; therefore, the future of Denmark is left to the audience’s imagination. The simplest argument is that because Fortinbras is a man of action, one assumes he will make a great king despite
…show more content…
He is first mentioned after the Ghost shows up and Horatio wonders if the Ghost is a sign of the attack that Fortinbras has planned in order to take back the land that his father lost along with his life; and also seeks revenge for his father. At this point, Fortinbras’ aggressiveness begins to be shown because he has “[s]harked up a list of lawless resolutes” (1.1.98.) meaning that Fortinbras is leading in an army to reclaim the land that his father lost. Hamlet would never go through with such a mission; he may think about it but he would never follow through. The unstableness that Hamlet show throughout the play are not what a good ruler should portray. Andrew Folley’s reiterates the idea in his article, Heaven or Havoc? The end of Hamlet, “He remains prone to the violent swings of mood which have seen him oscillating between deep depression and manic outbursts.” The fact that Fortinbras is actually doing something regardless of the consequences that may follow, he is getting something

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Fortinbras Revenge Quotes

    • 251 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Fortinbras’ plans became known to the Danes, as his revenge for his father’s death is turning to the lands they inhabit. Horatio and Bernardo are on watch duty talking about the future of the kingdom when they encounter a ghost; this ghost promotes the idea of wickedness rising in the mind of Fortinbras, and it warns the guards of what is to come. Exacerbated in this quote is the idea Fortinbras has to gain revenge for his father’s death by reclaiming the lands stolen from him. The reader can assume it will not be a peaceful trade, as noted when Horatio mentions: “recover of us, by strong hand…” -- an ode to the military presence Fortinbras has. This quote assists the beginning act of Hamlet in moving the plot forward for the continuation…

    • 251 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Honor In Hamlet Essay

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages

    His revenge is unique because it is put upon by the nation he leads, Norway. His father, the former King of Norway, was defeated in a fair duel by Hamlet’s father. The loss resulted in the relinquishment of Norwegian land. Now, in an act of honor as the Norway’s leader Fortinbras is obliged by his countrymen to take back what is theirs. His honor is also different to that of Hamlet and Laertes because it is not as hell-bent on murder as the tasks asked of the other two sons. Fortinbras task is less of a duty of a son to his father, but more of a king to his…

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Horatio And Hamlet Foils

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Fortimbras’ roll in this play is too small that has only be talked about from other people’s words. However, we can still see the opposite characteristics between Hamlet and Fortinbras. Hamlet is aggressive without control while Fortinbras is aggressive with control. After Hamlet knows the murder of his father which has been committed by his uncle he determined to take revenge almost right away without any doubt. In the contrast, Fortinbra obeys his uncle’s order and swear not to invade Norway any more although he is aggressive and good at…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Leadership In Hamlet

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Claudius’ subjects are not pleased with him and are in a revolt against him. He strays from Machiavelli’s path once again and failing to gain support from the people, proves Machiavelli right when Fortinbras destroys Claudius’ fortress, taking over Denmark. Even though Claudius did have his fair share of errors, he did manage to have a powerful influence. He had Old Fortinbras stop Young Fortinbras in pursuing his ambitions to overtake Denmark. Also, Claudius took the initiative to obtain a powerful alliance with the monarch of England. So much so that he asked him to execute Hamlet. All in all, Claudius used his infallible appearance to obscure his dark reality. The appearance gained him power, although the reality is what prevailed in the…

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Study Guide

    • 3411 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Act I Scene 1 : Claudius announced that he is the new king of Denmark when the beloved king Hamlet is dead and also stated that he is now married to Hamlet’s Mother, old Hamlet’s wife. Before Old Hamlet past, his great rival Fortinbras, King of Noway dared him to battle and Old Hamlet killed Old King Fortinbras. Now that Old King Fortinbras is dead, young Fortinbras is now the new king of Norway, he is tough and unproven and he now wants to take over Denmark.…

    • 3411 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the intensely introspective character, Hamlet, purposely uses an internal dialogue and calculatingly waits and plots to cope with the moral issues, draw out his enemies and manipulate the situation to exact revenge without guilt, all while feigning madness.…

    • 1753 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout the tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare writes about Hamlet’s journey of seeking revenge. The play begins with Marcellus and Barnardo taking watch over the Denmark castle one night and running into a ghost in the shape of King Hamlet who recently passed. Along with these two men enters Francisco and Horatio, Hamlet’s friends, who also witness the appearance of the ghost and decide to inform Hamlet of what they have seen. After explaining to Hamlet what they have seen they advise him to see for himself at midnight upon their next watch, and sure enough the ghost reappears. As Hamlet follows the ghost it describes the actions that led to his death, explaining that Claudius murdered him, then asks Hamlet to avenge him. In the midst of asking Hamlet to punish Claudius he also says, “Taint not thy mind, not let thy soul contrive/Against thy mother aught. Leave her to Heaven/And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge/…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Foils Fortinbras

    • 291 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In Act IV Scene IV, Hamlet’s soliloquy points out every one of Fortinbras’ qualities that Hamlet admires. Fortinbras inspires Hamlet to be a man of action. Hamlet knows that he has been thinking too precisely on the event of killing Claudius. On the other hand, Fortinbras is ambitious and takes actions for what the believes in. For example, in the letter to the King, Young Fortinbras made it clear that he was going to get back the land his father lost. King Fortinbras’ death gave his son determination and motivation to make his father proud.…

    • 291 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Revenge In Hamlet

    • 676 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The question of how far the Ghost persuades Hamelt into action hinges almost entirely on whether the audience agree that revenge is indeed the primary function of the play. Although this seems to be the case, an argument can also be made that it is Hamlet’s journey to taking action that is the important part of the story, not the simple action of taking revenge. It also depends on whether the audience sees a desire in Hamlet to seek revenge even before the Ghost shares the story of his murder; and to this end whether the Ghost is simply a manifestation of Hamlet’s subconscious, persuading him to take an action he has already decided on.…

    • 676 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Effects Of Grief In Hamlet

    • 2862 Words
    • 12 Pages

    In turn, one may feel that the only way to relieve the negative feelings is to seek revenge and kill the person whom one blames for them. Hamlet clearly shows a deep love for his father, and he is utterly heart-broken over his death, especially after seeing his uncle take his place. Therefore, when his father 's ghost informs him that it is a murderer, not a snake, who is responsible for his death, Hamlet immediately responds: "Haste me to know [who], that I, with wings a swift / As meditation or thoughts of love, / May sweep to my revenge." (Hamlet, I, V, 35-37) He does not even know whom he has to kill yet, but he is already sure that he must avenge his father, no matter the cost. Hamlet is so lost without his father, he needs somewhere to place the blame for his death. Thus, when this opportunity arises he endeavours to seize it in an attempt to avenge his father, and alleviate his own heartache as well. Fortinbras, too, seeks revenge for his father 's death. However, unlike Hamlet, he does not have a ghost to incite him, only thirty years of hatred and anger toward the ruler of Denmark. He spends his whole life trying to win back the land his father lost to the Danes, take vengeance for Old Fortinbras, and regain dignity for him and his people. When, finally, he storms the castle to assume the throne and the "... rights of memory [he has] in this…

    • 2862 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages

    A great number of lessons can be learned from Hamlet by Shakespeare. A very important lesson is that not everyone wants a leader, but every kingdom needs one. What is meant by this is that in a kingdom there will always be people who are not in favor of the person in charge. However, in a functioning kingdom a strong leader is of essence. The arrival of Fortinbras in Act 5 Scene 2 of Hamlet is clear evidence that Shakespeare was in hopes of a noble leader replacing Elizabeth. Shakespeare believed that corruption was swarming in the state of England, and a noble leader was needed to replace her.…

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the Shakespearean play, Hamlet, revenge is a theme portrayed throughout the tragic tale. Revenge is defined as inflict hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong doing to someone else (Dictionary.com). In today’s society, revenge is prevalent in many movies, books, and television shows. Young Hamlet is devastated by the murder of his father and looks to avenge his death after being told by the King’s ghost that Claudius poisoned him while he was asleep in the orchard. The ghost said to Prince Hamlet, “So art thou to revenge when thou shalt hear” (Act 1, Scene V, Page 1).…

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    All of the men share a correlation to one another in that they are all driven to revenge, but they also have many differences from that of Hamlet that allow the reader a deeper understanding of Hamlet’s character. For example, Fortinbras is sharp, organized, and able to quickly make decisions when it comes to his plan for revenge. The reader learns through Horatio that Fortinbras and the army he has assembled are going to fight to get back the land that was lost as a result of late Fortinbras’ death. This goes to show that he has a definite plan of attack and has every intention of seeing it through. This brings to light a character flaw within Hamlet; he allows himself to act rashly in some cases, (such as throwing himself in Ophelia’s grave after Laertes) yet hesitant in others. This goes to show that although he may know what he wants, a considerable delay occurs because he is unable to fully commit himself in order to see any plan to…

    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The foul practice Hath turned itself on me”(5.2.311-312) according to the public. He is a good candidate for the throne of Denmark “They cry, “Choose we! Laertes shall be king!” Caps, hands, and tongues applaud it to the clouds: “Laertes shall be king, Laertes king!(4.5.80-83), however, his own personality is easily manipulated. Claudius uses him as a tool to kill Hamlet, nevertheless, he loses his life to Hamlet. Claudius, the former king of Denmark, does not have a quality to be a leader. He leaves Hamlet alive, postpones to kill a threat to this throne. A king nevers let a threat to his throne alive because he afraids of the public and his queen, “The queen his mother Lives almost by his looks, and for myself”(4.7.11-12). Claudius spends pleasant of time to party, according to Hamlet, he’s a “...”(). Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, has the same issue as Hamlet; His uncle takes away his throne. According to Hamlet, “, I see 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” (4.4.60-63), Fortinbras would be a good leader if he does not send his man to Poland, to fight for a worthless piece of land and sacrifice his man. A great leader does not lead his people to die for no…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Perception In Hamlet

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages

    One choses to create the illusion that in order to get over the grief of losing his father, he must go out and pursue action. While the other choses to create the illusion that in order to get over the grief of losing his father, he must use the illusion of madness to seek vengeance for their father's death. Both character eventually end up achieving their desires for vengeance, but it is Fortinbras who ends up on top. Fortinbras deals with his daddy issues by taking action to reclaim the lands his father lost to old King Hamlet. While Hamlet constantly procrastinates killing his Uncle finally overcoming his procrastination in the last moments of the play to achieve vengeance.…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays