The Dominant Theme of Hamlet | The Dominant Theme of Hamlet

Throughout the play of Hamlet, revenge is constantly the dominant and ever-present theme. It seems almost every major character is affected or driven into their current situation by retribution. Whether driven by ambition and their high hopes for the future, or simply a participant in the society of the times required to avenge wrongful deeds done unto them, the major players in Shakespeare's tragedy seem to all have revenge incessantly on their minds. The only noticeable difference in the characters concerning their relations towards our theme, is how they react to the circumstances they are faced with.

The logical place to start when assessing the theme of revenge in Hamlet is with the character himself. Hamlet's slow demise into the state of madness begins when he learns the true nature of his father's death during his conversation with the ghost. The spirit of his father tells young Hamlet that his uncle, Claudius, murdered him while he slept in the orchard with attempts to steal the crown and Gertrude, his wife and Hamlet's mother. Hamlet is then placed in a difficult state of affairs and begins his internal struggle whether it is right to murder Claudius in order to avenge his father or if revenge is really the honorable alternative when faced with a similar situation. Hamlet remarks after his meeting with the ghost, "And thy commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of my brain, unmix'd with base matter: yes, by heaven." Hamlet's main flaw may have been this very argument that clouded his mind and lead him to his eventual fate. Procrastination and mixed feelings even with stern resolve and iron will led Hamlet to put off what was meant to be handled irrationally and taken with swift measures. Every opportunity was given to the young prince, but ultimately his unresolved morals and principles ended with the tragedy that befell the house of Elsinore.

While Hamlet is the main motivator in the theme of revenge, many of the other important influences of his life are faced with similar conflicts and decisions. At the start of the play, the growing threat of young Fortinbras leading an army in order to reclaim his late father's lost honor and land, sets the mood that will continue throughout the play. Laertes later decides he must exact revenge upon Hamlet for the murder of his father and circumstances that drove his sister to madness just before her suicide. All in all, it is clear that vengeance was present in Denmark and stirred the emotions of the characters in the play until only Horatio was left to tell the tale. Though it seems in their dying words, all members in this circle of revenge regret their nature and their actions, as Laertes says in his final speech to Hamlet of the king, "He is justly serv'd; It is a poison temper'd by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet." Revenge that led to madness, to tragedy and death, to corruption and betrayal and finally to forgiveness, it the story of Hamlet though the absolution came at a great cost.