Revenge In Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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 lost territory.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.Fortinbras’ internal conflict is based on a nonviolent plan of revenge, although if fighting is required, he is more then prepared to take action.In addition, Fortinbras has to win back the honor for the Norwegian people.Norway has been like a tributary state to Denmark ever since the battle of the two late Kings.But do not be fooled.Fortinbras is not the type of ruler who is all for the people, by the people, of the people.On the contrary, he is a determined, all power to himself type of king who seeks to retake the land once lost by his father. …