William Shakespeare s Hamlet - 1253 Words

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is an intricate play where many themes are connected; themes that help develop the play. The issue of death and disease, both physical and emotional is very important throughout the play, as well as fate. The play also questions insanity, as well as dishonesty and moral issues. Of course, who could fail to remember the illustrious phrase ‘To be or not to be’, where Hamlet not only ponders about life and death, but also life’s other mysteries as well. Though these themes play major roles in the play, the most important theme in Hamlet is revenge. Revenge is a very strong emotion, which causes people to act insensibly and without reason. Revenge is a theme that is the foundation of the story. It is the primary†¦show more content†¦The Ghost goads Hamlet by telling him that it is part of every man’s honor to get revenge for the death of his father. Hamlet then becomes a part of the unraveling of Denmark after Hamlet a grees to avenge the death of his father. This begins a cycle of hatred, death, and revenge that ruins the lives of many. Throughout the play Claudius’ actions were influenced by revenge. He sends Hamlet to England out of fear of his own life and orders that he not only gets banished but also gets executed by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. When his plan is thwarted by Hamlet he relies on Laertes to do his dirty work by guilt tripping him by saying â€Å"And hath abatements and delay as many As there are tongues, are hands are accidents; And then this should is like a spendthrift sigh, that hurts by easing.†(IV.VII.121-124)this means that if he waits too long to exact revenge, he probably won’t do anything to exact justice on Hamlet for killing his father and causing the death of his sister, Ophelia, which questions whether he actually loves his sister and father. This causes Laertes to ultimately decide to agree to duel Hamlet by saying â€Å"I will do t: And, f or that purpose, I ll anoint my sword. I bought an unction of a mountebank, So mortal that, but dip a knife in it, Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare, Collected from all simples that have virtue Under the moon, can save the thing from death That is but scratch d withal: I ll touch my point With