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Theme Of Revenge In Hamlet

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The major theme of Hamlet is revenge, which is why analyzing the play through the point of view of a Traditional Revenge Tragedy is extremely common. In fact, the premise of the entire play is for Hamlet to right the wrong of his father’s murder. A typical Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy requires the definition of revenge to be “extralegal retaliation” (Broude). The main character must convince themselves a great wrong has been done to them. While both internal and external obstacles are presented to said character, they eventually exact their revenge. However, through this process, the main character becomes exactly who they were attempting to acquire revenge on; both are just as “depraved” (Broude). In Act 1 Scene v. the ghost of Hamlet’s father, dressed in armour, appears to Hamlet once again. The armour signifies the ghost is prepared for battle. In this case, the battle is not the ghost’s, but Hamlet’s. He informs Hamlet that he is stuck in Purgatory-although indirectly stated- because he was murdered without being allowed the chance to confess his sins. The murderer? Hamlet’s Uncle and the King’s own brother- Claudius (Hamlet, Act 1, Scene v). The ghost tasked Hamlet with avenging his assassination by killing Claudius. As the play develops, Hamlet fails to terminate Claudius because he is unsure whether or not Claudius committed the crime in question. Once Hamlet confirms Claudius’s guilt by mirroring the murder with a play, the Murder of Gonzago, and watching the King’s

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