Revenge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Revenge - Essay Example The first article found on the website field-of –themes presents the historical and social framework that explains why revenge is a common theme in Elizabethan plays. According to the article, most Elizabethan plays are highly influenced by the Greeks. Seneca, the Roman playwright, played a great role in injecting the theme of revenge in Roman theater. However, revenge as a theme ( like in Hamlet) has its own formula : In all revenge tragedies first and foremost, a crime is committed and for various reasons laws and justice cannot punish the crime so the individual who is the main character, goes through with the revenge in spite of everything†¦ Other features that were typical were the appearance of a ghost, to get the revenger to go through with the deed. The revenger also usually had a very close relationship with the audience through soliloquies and asides. The original crime that will eventually be avenged is nearly always sexual or violent or both. The crime has been committed against a family member of the revenger. (field-of-themes.com) Another interesting article about revenge in Hamlet was written by Jennifer Alpeche in 2007. Hers was an insightful article that asserts the anguish that Hamlet must go through in order to exact his revenge. It must be remembered that Hamlet almost lost his mind when he encountered his father’s ghost. All the while, people around him suspected that he was madly in love with Ophelia which was partially true. However, it was Hamlet’s contemplative disposition that made him mad upon knowing the truth. To quote: In this scene, Hamlet is still contemplating about suicide. However, it is important to realize that Hamlet is besieged emotionally and psychologically by tough choices he has to make ever since he learned of his father’s death. Hamlet is torn between logic and religion in coming up with a decision. Apparently, morals cannot help him anymore to undo what Claudius has done. Philosophy is not