William Shakespeare – Hamlet

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Claudius who is a murderer of his own brother, he tries to show himself as a grieving brother and concerned uncle. On a spiritual level, Claudius knows he does wrong, so he lies down for forgiveness and pity. When he starts to pray, he says that "O, my offence is rank, it smells to Heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder!" (Hamlet, 3.3.36-38). He concedes to killing his brother, and he seems guilty over the murder. While Claudius prays, he calls himself “A brother’s murder[er]!” (Hamlet, 3.3.38), this statement shows that, although his feeling is as strong as his assurance to pray, Claudius onerous guilt obstructs him from praying. Despite his strong intention to ask for forgiveness because of the negative consequences of his actions in Heaven, he does not want to give up what he has gained through his crime, “[His] crown, [his] own ambition, and [his] queen” (Hamlet, 3.3. 55). This statement represents although he is sorry, he is not repentant enough to give back what he has been able to obtain after the murder, and therefore his remorse makes no sense. This represents that Claudius' hunger for power leads to his negative spiritual demeanour.

On a social level of the play, Claudius and Laertes plan to take revenge of the death of Polonius by killing Hamlet. Instead of asking for forgiveness for he has committed murder, Claudius manipulates Laertes to kill Hamlet. Claudius misuses his power of being King and controls Laertes from various perspectives. Claudius persuades Laertes that Hamlet is responsible for Polonius’ death and he examines Laertes' allegiance to his father by stating that "Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, As face without heart? (Hamlet, 4.7. 105-107) By challenging Laertes' allegiance, Claudius tries to take control over the event and successfully persuades him. Just as Claudius killed Old Hamlet by poisoning his ear, now too does he poison Laertes’ ears with words. When Claudius asks Laertes “Will you be ruled by me? Ay, my lord, So you will not o’errule me to a peace” (Hamlet, 4.7.57-59) he uses language as a weapon to persuade Laertes and uses it to his own advantage. This statement shows that in their conversation, Claudius does not waste time to convince Laertes of his needed services. Claudius using the sorrow and anger of Laertes for his own gain demonstrates the social consequence of revenge through guilt.

Guilt comes up as an important social consequence in the play. The main characters, Hamlet and Laertes are manipulated for the same reason, which is revenge as a duty of a son to their fathers. When they both realise the negative consequences of revenge, firstly Hamlet asks for Laertes forgiveness by saying "Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong, But pardon't, as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd With sore distraction. What I have done That might your nature, honour and exception Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness. Was’t Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet. If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away, And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes, Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it. Who does it then? His madness. If’t be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged; His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy” (Hamlet, 5.2.195-208). Hamlet knows he has done Laertes wrong by killing his father. Hamlet states his remorse by mentioning his illness which causes him madness at that time. Secondly, when Hamlet bruises Laertes with his own poisoned sword, Laertes falls and only then does Laertes absolutely appear to feel guilty. Immediately after the death of Claudius, Laertes says in remorse “It is a poison tempered by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father’s that come not upon thee, Nor thine on me!” (Hamlet, 5.2.300-303). This proofs that Laertes concedes Hamlet's generosity. He extricates Hamlet of the guilt of murdering his father and his own death. This exchange of forgiveness shows guilt as one of the social consequences of the play.

Consequently, revenge has played an important role throughout of the play. The issue of revenge and murder has been explored not only by the title character, but also by minor characters, Claudius and Laertes. These characters have portrayed different concerns and anxieties towards the ethical, spiritual and social consequences. Hamlet and Laertes have been compared on an ethical level. In addition, it has been shown that revenge empoisons the characters and distorts their normal behaviours as in the beginning of the play. These three characters have been manipulated by different factors to take revenge. As a result, the characters changed their behaviours and experienced severe negative ethical, spiritual and social consequences.

Reference List:

1) Biblehub.com. (2017). Exodus 20 KJV + Strong's. [online] Available at: http://biblehub.com/kjvs/exodus/20.htm

2) Shakespeare, W. and Horan, A. (1992). Hamlet. 1st ed. Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman.