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Revenge In Hamlet

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The Shakespearian play Hamlet uses several techniques to appeal to the various audiences of its time. A common theme throughout the play is the concept of revenge. Hamlet is set in the Elizabethan Era, which is a time in history where the idea of revenge was strewn throughout many aspects of life. These aspects mainly included politics, culture, and society. In the play, Shakespeare uses Hamlets speech in Act IV Scene IV to appeal to the audience’s perception of revenge socially, culturally, and politically. In the play, Hamlet has heard news of Fortinbras fighting a meaningless battle against Poland to restore his pride. Hamlets speech in Act IV Scene IV, demonstrates Hamlets envy, and most importantly it illustrates that Hamlet is impressed …show more content…

Blood feuds were extremely societal. Blood feuds relate to “a fight between two families or groups in which each group kills members of the other group in order to punish the group for earlier murder” (Merriam Webster 1). These feuds were related to the past where self-governing units were present in England and controlled local power (Dr. Hannah Lavery 1). When a more centralized understanding of power was introduced, this type of behaviour was seen as disruptive. Due to the enforcement of this type of power, the population became angry with the government. It became a question of justice and whether or not violent action was legal (Lavery 1). In society, people both were for violent justice and against it. With this particular speech, Shakespeare introduces new perspectives regarding politics and appeals to the audience with the inclusion of the circumstances society was facing at this …show more content…

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

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