The play Hamlet based on a book by William Shakespeare is about a Prince, Hamlet, who is intends to avenge his fathers death. Hamlets fathers ghost visits the castle and claims that he was murdered. The ghost instructs Hamlet to kill Claudius who, accordingly, poured poison into his ear while he was asleep. The theme of revenge overrides other topics in this play, and the corresponding plot of revenge will be illustrated in this discussion.
In the first instance, the ghost appears to Barnardo, Horatio, and Marcellus but does not say a word. Despite Horatios attempts to make it talk, it refuses. He then informs Hamlet about the incident. While in a state of disbelief, the ghost appears and motions Hamlet to follow it so they could speak privately. At this point, the first plot of revenge is developed when the spirit says You must be ready for revenge. For Hamlet to agree with the ghosts directives, he is let into the realities that the ghost is that of his father and that he was murdered. When Hamlet learns that his uncle was responsible for his fathers death, he is more than willing to execute his fathers wish. This particular plot of revenge forms the basis for the entire play. It escalates the performance from the exposition level to a rising action and the audience desires to know the outcome.
The next plot of revenge is evidenced when the audience is introduced to Hamlets plans to kill Claudius. While at it, he plunges into a state of doubt. He questions the ghosts validity and realizes that if he kills Claudius based on false information; he would be a haunted man for the rest of his life. To confirm his suspicions, Hamlet seeks the help of a troupe of players to perform The Murder of Gonzago.' In it, he adds scenes that create the play anew as described by the ghost. Hamlet intends to observe Claudius reaction during the play and inherently determine his innocence or otherwise as illustrated in words: The plays the thing wherein Ill catch the conscience of the king. Afterward, Horatio and Hamlet are in agreement that the king indeed behaved like a guilty man and that the ghost rightfully accused Claudius of murder as illustrated in the line Ill bet you a thousand bucks the ghost was right. Hamlet makes the decision to kill Claudius, but he ends up mistaking Polonius for him and murders the wrong person. This part of the plot uses the stylistic device: a play within a play, and through it, a conflict is built to mark the climax. Additionally, one learns the negative consequences of revenge as illustrated when an innocent man dies due to an avengers mistake.
The plot of revenge finally culminates in banishment. Claudius expels Hamlet to England for killing Polonius. He plans to avenge Polonius death by killing Hamlet as soon as he is on English soil in the disguise of protection as indicated: For your own protection, I must send you to England at once. However, Claudius plans fail to materialize since pirates capture the boat in which Hamlet was sailing and detoured it to Denmark. When word about this development reaches Claudius, he instructs Laertes to tip a sword with poison and during a friendly fencing match, he would stab Hamlet. If that plan failed, the Claudius would force Hamlet to drink a glass of wine laced with poison. Eventually, the queen drinks the poisoned wine and dies. Hamlet compels the king to drink from the poisoned goblet, and he dies after which he too succumbs to the injury inflicted during his game with Laertes. This section emphasizes that no good can come from revenge. The principal characters that thirsted for vengeance perish. Additionally, it marks the catastrophic falling action part of the play.
All in all, William Shakespeare successfully pieced three revenge plots to communicate the theme of revenge. This plot intensifies the play from the outset to the end and allows the incorporation of a story within a story to mark the plays climax. Additionally, moral lessons are effectively communicated in each of the sections. One learns that it is prudent to let nature take its course as opposed to deciding another persons fate.
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