Index IntroductionJustification of RevengeCounterargumentConclusionWorks Cited:IntroductionThe theme of revenge continues to recur in William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. Most of the revenge missions undertaken by the different characters in the play end in tragedy. Although Hamlet, the main character, contemplates revenge for his father's murder, he considers the tragedy that will result from his actions and therefore tries to reverse his decision. Shakespeare describes Hamlet as reluctant to take revenge. The thoughts that the writer instills in the character's mind aim to show the reader that Hamlet considers revenge not the right thing. The author portrays Hamlet as viewing revenge as a crime that he should avoid. Shakespeare shows Hamlet thinking that revenge will make him a beast (Kastan 113). Hamlet, however, thinks that taking revenge is the same as not taking revenge since both decisions have consequences that could haunt him. His great fear is that revenge will stain his name and that failure to take revenge will not give him the moral authority to try to become the new king of Denmark. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Laertes, Polonius' son, also seeks to avenge his father's murder. Although he encounters many obstacles, he manages to engage in a confrontation with Hamlet, his father's murderer. Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway seeks to avenge his father's death at the hands of King Hamlet. Interestingly, the prince turns out to be the only survivor who did not face the tragedy. Various analysts of the play have expressed different opinions regarding the justification of the revenge that the different characters undertake as depicted in the play. Some analysts argue that the revenge is justified, while others say it lacks justification. Based on these distinct points of view and the events preceding the revenge, it is evident that the revenge the characters undertake in Hamlet is justified. Justification of Revenge The mental belief that Hamlet develops shows the justification of his mission of revenge. First consider that revenge will cause him to leave a wounded name and legacy (Kastan 117). However, he realizes that although revenge means crime, his father's murderer committed the crime and therefore, failure to take revenge is an indication to justify the action of the person who killed King Hamlet. The contemplation that Hamlet undergoes reveals that failing to avenge his father's death means allowing other people in the kingdom to kill others at will since they know that their actions will have no consequences. He says that being his father's only son, he must "do the same villain" (Shakespeare 83). The statement reveals that he must punish evil with evil. Therefore, Hamlet tries to act as a court that punishes people to send a warning to others that committing a certain crime carries serious consequences. Hamlet becomes convinced that revenge is a mode of restoration (Kastan 112). For him, failure to take revenge destroys his character and his authority as Prince of Denmark. In his conversation with the ghost of his father, Hamlet states that failure to take revenge will make him a “thief and peasant slave” (Shakespeare 577). The statement is an indication that Hamlet cannot let go of his anger without taking revenge. He fears that failure to take revenge will encourage his father's killer to turn him into a slave. Fear is a justification for revenge as not doing so will bring tragedy to Hamlet's life. The need to adhere to the ghost of his father justifies the mission of revenge thatHamlet embarks on comedy. The ghost orders Hamlet to avenge his father's "disgusting and unnatural murder" (Shakespeare 37). At first, Hamlet is surprised that his father was murdered. As a result, he asks the ghost to clarify whether it is true that his father's death was unnatural. Interestingly, the ghost repeats that the murder was the most disgusting, unnatural and strange. In the Danish society Shakespeare speaks of, obeying ancestral ghosts is seen as a demonstration of respect for deceased souls. Hamlet is justified in obeying the ghost and killing Claudius, who killed King Hamlet, the prince's father. Although Hamlet is initially convinced that he must take revenge, he states that his need to meditate and such meditation could sweep away his thoughts of revenge (Kastan 121). He makes the statement after learning that Claudius killed his father. The ghost also reveals to Hamlet that Claudius has conspired with his mother, Gertrude, to take over the kingdom of Denmark. Being a beloved son, Hamlet sees no way to honor his father other than by killing Claudius and doubly driven by his father's orders. and by the tradition according to which a son must avenge his father at all costs. Hamlet then becomes a prisoner of his obligation for revenge, causing him to question his ability to think and concentrate, which confirms to the audience that his father has become much more influential and much more important to Hamlet after his death than he was. it was before. But the ghost's request is not actually to kill Claudius, this is precisely how Hamlet interprets the act of revenge. The whole situation has a negative effect on him as he begins to abuse his mother, much unlike what his father asked him to do: "Do not defile your mind, nor let your soul plot / Against your mother in any way - leave her in heaven." Furthermore, the threat Claudius poses to Hamlet's dreams of becoming king of Denmark and the lack of respect he shows the prince justifies Hamlet's revenge move. Claudius assumes leadership of the kingdom and goes to marry Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. The ghost tells Hamlet that he should not let “the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest” (Shakespeare 87). The ghost insinuates that Gertrude is engaged in incest and that Hamlet should not accept being ashamed of his mother's act. However, the ghost warns Hamlet to spare his mother in his mission of revenge as she will be judged by heaven. By taking control of the kingdom, Claudius reduces Hamlet's chances of becoming king (Kastan 119). According to Prosser, Claudius overturns the protocol observed in the leadership of the kingdom and thus Hamlet is justified in taking his stand in revenge (39). Hamlet's statement that he will probably become a slave in his country shows that he should take revenge and face the consequences rather than wait to be exiled and lose the chance to lead Denmark. Laertes is justified in avenging his father's murder since Polonius had not committed any crime for him to die in Hamlet's hands. After learning that his father has been murdered, Laertes returns from France ready to ensure that justice is done. He understands that the failure to avenge his father's death will encourage Hamlet to continue killing leaders in Denmark as he tries to rule. Laertes' mission of revenge is justified as it is meant to stop Hamlet's pretentious madness which he uses to collaterally kill people. Shakespeare constructs the relationship between Laertes and Hamlet in a way that justifies the anger the former feels after learning of his father's murder. Hamlet and Laertes are friends at the beginning of the play and their..