Revenge

The Perspectives of Revenge

The thought of revenge can be very self satisfying. But in the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, revenge only lead to more chaos. Hamlet’s quest for revenge stirs up problems to the other characters and led to his demise in the end of the play. Although Hamlet and Laertes shares a common goal, their attitude to achieve their revenge varies from one another.

Hamlet’s and Laertes’ impulsive actions is the result of their fury and frustration. When Laertes returns to Denmark and discovers his father has been murdered, Laertes quickly assumes the killer is Claudius. Laertes immediately takes action and “vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation: to this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes; only I’ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father.” (Shakespeare, 215.) Laertes is so consumed by the thought of getting revenge; he is willing to achieve it at any cost. Similarity to Laertes assumption of his father’s killer, Hamlet thought the individual that was spying on his conversation with Gertrude is Claudius. Hamlet is consumed with rage and stabs the curtain. He thought he killed Claudius but instead it was Polonius. Because of their rage, it drives Hamlet and Claudius to execute irrational actions.

Laertes and Hamlet’s way of expressing their grief is very distinctive from one another. Laertes responded immediately to the news of his father’s murder. He expressed his anger to others and he did not hide his feelings inside. He is also suspicious of who murdered his father and clearly shows in his conversation with Claudius. Laertes asks “How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with. To hell, allegiance!” (215.) On the other hand, Hamlet is very private with his grief over his father’s death. He still mourned for the death of Old King Hamlet, even after two months his father’s death and after his mother’s wedding to Claudius. Claudius and Gertrude see Hamlet is still wearing “suits of solemn black” which is the color of mourning. (25). Claudius and Gertrude notices and comments on Hamlet’s unhappiness. However, Hamlet was able to hide his feelings well until his first soliloquy that the audiences learned the depth of his unhappiness.

Laertes and Hamlet’s plan for revenge is different as well. Laertes wants immediate revenge for Polonius and these actions are based in anger and emotions, making him very rational. Also because he is so consumed with revenge, he is easily manipulated by Claudius.