Justice In The Elizabethan Era

To the victim of the wronged action the revenge seems completely ethical because they are hurt and it provides a sense of fulfillment and closure that would be difficult to gain otherwise. In the novel one of the

Christopher Paolini said “Treat all fairly or they will seek revenge”. Revenge; the act of punishing someone because they have hurt you or someone else. In other words, an eye for an eye. Revenge is a popular subject in literature, drama, and other arts. It’s also a main theme in the famous play of Hamlet by William Shakespeare and the play Medea by Euripides. Both plays do not tackle the theme revenge in the normal, simple way of revenge. In hamlet one revenge story leads another, and in Medea the way of seeking revenge is what causes it not to be a (Simple

The Elizabethan disposition concerning revenge was that it was an act fueled by a condition, an ailment of the body. To Shakespeare's contemporaries, revenge was the end result of the disease, melancholy.

The Elizabethan time period emphasized the dominance of men in society and family ties. Women had no choice but to depend on their families and the man the family picked for them to marry. All the money comes from the husbands income. Family was essential to Elizabethan time, because everyone in the household depended on one another. Men and women both could not function without their immediate family.

Throughout time, people have served justice for the wrongs of others, often through revenge. Because of this, some people see justice as taking an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is no exception. The primary form of justice throughout the play is through revenge. There are three characters who demand and successfully achieve the justice by taking revenge on the wrongdoer. Hamlet seeks justice for his father’s murder, Laertes for the death of his father and sister, and Fortinbras for both the death of his father and the loss of his land.

Quintessentially speaking, revenge is a thing that many have sought in response to a tragic event unfolding. Typically, as a result, vengeance is contemplated upon by the victim as a means of retribution, a way of making things right and seeking justice on the behest of the victim, if the law will not grant justice through due process due to corrupt forces stemmed deep within it- corrupt seeds of a corrupt plant. Therefore, revenge become an apparent option for those willing to walk that path [of no return]. However, instances of revenge not being attained in the “clear cut” way it is ordinarily acquired have occurred from time to time throughout history. One of the most prominent examples of unconventional revenge attainment can be found within the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, entailing the revenge path walked by its eponymously named main character, Prince Hamlet. Specifically, his intentful delay in attaining his revenge against his uncle Claudius for his direct role in the death of his father, King Hamlet. This literary conundrum has dumbfounded literary critics for over 400 years and counting- due to the fact that a universally accepted consensus amongst them as well as the general public as to why Hamlet delayed his revenge has not yet been reached.

“The best revenge is to not become like the one who wronged you,” said Marcus Aurelius. Revenge shows an evil part of someone that may not be captured at one’s first glance. Something that must be avoided for its immense toxicity. “The Cask of Amontillado” written by Edgar Allan tells a chilling story about how a man Montresor takes revenge on Fortunato for some unknown reason. The essay “Of Revenge” written by Sir Francis Bacon shows the flaws of revenge and how revenge only causes more harm than justice. When a person is wronged, it is not acceptable for that person to take revenge. Revenge is wrong because it hurts that person even more than what that person currently is. “This is certain, that a man consumed with a desire for revenge keeps

At this point in history it was common for people to avenge the death of a family member. Dr. Hannah Lavery states that “[p]rivate revenge acts were understood at that time to be actions taken by an individual in response to a wrong committed on themselves or their family group” (Lavery 1). In Hamlets speech, he states “[r]ightly to be great [i]s not to stir without great argument, [b]ut to find quarrel in a straw [w]hen honor’s at the stake” (4.4.52-55). This ideology was followed by many people at this time. It was believed to be important to defend dignity even when there was little ethical significance for revenge. In the speech, Hamlet expresses that he has failed to do so. This concept can be related directly to the social and cultural beliefs in the Elizabethan Era, therefore it directly relates to the audience of

The Elizabethan Poor Law was passed in 1601. This law enforced all church communities to annually on Easter select a couple of head supervisors over the indigent. They were not compensated for their time. Usually those chosen did not want the position but they were supervised making sure that they were doing the work. This law helped keep order during that era and reduced the beggars and poverty-stricken in the streets. There were two kinds of help the outdoor and indoor help. The outdoor help meant that if the needy still had their place of residence then they could acquire some cash or obtain needed clothing or food. Outdoor help was most commonly used during these times. Indoor help was when a family was taken to a community almshouse. The

Despite previous efforts to provide assistance to the poor, the Elizabethan Poor Law was the first national policy enacted to do so. This law required parish governments to tax households and distribute aid to the “deserving” poor. Those that were considered deserving of aid were people unable to work due to disability or old age. This corresponds to today’s Supplemental Security Income program. This is also a national, or better currently known as federal, policy that is designed to provide assistance to people with little income. It, too, determines those that are deserving of assistance as people who are elderly or who have a disability.

eligion in today’s society partially reflects the same religion that took place in the Elizabethan Era, as they were willing to die for their religion so are many religious believers today. Webster dictionary states that “religion is the belief in and worship of God or gods” (544). Two of the main religions that took place in the Elizabethan Era in England were the Catholic and Protestant beliefs. There were many different aspects that took place in the different beliefs that played part in if the people were executed. Some of those aspects were the reigning monarch, the favored religion, and the priests.

As the British came over to America, many ideas and government laws and practices came along with the people. The British people came to America to create a new and better life therefore they desired to create an improved government. Laws and practices were brought over with the people but were adapted and amended in many ways. The Elizabethan Poor Law, a law that established a way for the government to assist the needy, had been in place for for over 250 years in England (p.11). The Poor Law of 1601 was the head start of the colonists initiative to nurture the needy.

Throughout history revenge has been shown as a violent and bloody act, it is likely revenge will survive well into the future, and leave a trail of suffering in its wake. Revenge has always been viewed in many different lights from many different cultures. However, revenge is a reaction to an attack, and an assault is never really a positive. Revenge is not only dangerous to individual’s psyche , it is also detrimental to society and government as a whole, as illustrated in Alexander Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo, and in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

I agree that the ideas presented by the Elizabethan Poor Law are still presented in current times. Although there has been a tremendous change in aspect to establishing social welfare programs, many people are hesitant about improving the programs. People are hesitant because they continue to believe that the poor aren't deserving of the help provided by the federal government. On the contrary, poverty is drastically increasing due to the loss of jobs and/or lack of resources. Even while working a tremendous amount of hours in one or even multiple jobs, people are unable to sustain for their family. This is proof that the federal government (and conservative followers) should increase aid to those in need rather than shaming the poor for being

In today's society, the media often portrays revenge as an acceptable option. This is not outright stated, but rather implied. Characters often seem to think that revenge is the only way to get closure from a bad experience, and when this is acted on, negative consequences are not shown. Rarely is the fact that vengeance is hypocritical and wrong brought up. People need to wake up and realize that revenge is always hypocritical and illogical. As Christ said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)