Problems in the Revenge Tragedy William Shakespeares Hamlet

Shakespeares Hamlet presents the generic elements found in Renaissance revenge tragedies (Revenge Tragedy). However, although Hamlet is a revenge tragedy by definition, Shakespeare complicates the basic revenge plot by creating three revenge plots out of one. By adding significant innovations, Shakespeare creates three concentric rings of revenge (Frye 90), depicting an indecisive protagonist who is an intellectual rather than a physical hero, an ambiguous ghost, and several problematic aspects of the play, such as the reason for Hamlets delay, the confusion of time, and the truth behind Hamlets apparent madness. In a typical revenge tragedy, a hero is called upon by the ghost of a family member to avenge his death (Revenge†¦show more content†¦By portraying them as foils, Shakespeare helps illuminate the fact that this revenge plot has a very melancholic, contemplative, and intellectual hero as opposed to the heroes usually seen who immediately act upon request or knowledge . Heroes are often depicted as being immediate in their responses for revenge as shown in the play Oresteia when Orestes hears of his fathers death and immediately prays to the gods to let [him] avenge [his] fathers murder (LB. 21). Although Hamlet first appears eager to avenge his fathers death (1.5.35-37), his actions do not reflect the truth behind his words. However, Orestes immediately starts planning is vengeance (LB. 541-565), and when the opportunity arises he tells his mother that [she] killed and it was outrage - suffer outrage now (LB. 917). Unlike Hamlet, Orestes does not procrastinate his vengeance; instead, he plans and strikes at the most opportune moment. Likewise, in Hamlet, Young Fortinbras seeks revenge on the land that his father lost to King Hamlet and is pester[ing] [them] with message[s] importing the surrender of those lands lost by his father (1.2.23-24). When asked to stop, he agrees to attack Poland instead; however, when Hamlet witness[es] [Fortinbras] ar my of such mass and charge led by a delicate and tender prince whose spirit with divine ambition puffedShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - Longing For Revenge1304 Words   |  6 PagesLonging for Revenge William Shakespeare was born in England in April of 1564 and was an English poet and playwright . Shakespeare is universally known as the greatest writer in the English language. Shakespeare frequently produced tragedies that are continuously acted out today, along with many plays and sonnets.. Although Shakespeare is seen today as a great writer who changed the world, his reputation did not rise to these heights until around the 19th century. 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