Revenge is a powerful motivator, but it is also a destructive one. It can consume people, leading them to make irrational decisions and hurt themselves and others in the process. In literature, revenge is a common theme, and it has been explored in many different ways. One of the most famous examples of revenge in literature is the story of Hamlet from Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
Hamlet’s father, the king, has been murdered by his own brother, Claudius, who then marries Hamlet’s mother and takes the throne for himself. Hamlet is consumed by grief and anger, and he vows to avenge his father’s death. However, Hamlet is also a complex and thoughtful character, and he is not sure how to go about getting revenge. He fears that he may kill the wrong person, or that he may become as evil as Claudius himself.
Hamlet eventually devises a plan to test Claudius’s guilt. He stages a play that reenacts his father’s murder, and he observes Claudius’s reaction. Claudius’s reaction confirms Hamlet’s suspicions, and Hamlet is determined to kill him. However, Hamlet’s hesitation and indecision ultimately lead to his own death, and the deaths of several other innocent people.
Another famous example of revenge in literature is the story of Achilles from Homer’s epic poem The Iliad. Achilles is a mighty Greek warrior who plays a key role in the Trojan War. However, Achilles is also a very proud and arrogant man. When his friend Patroclus is killed by the Trojan prince Hector, Achilles is enraged. He vows to avenge Patroclus’s death, and he eventually kills Hector in a single combat.
However, Achilles’s revenge does not bring him closure. In fact, it only makes him more bitter and vengeful. He refuses to return to battle, and he eventually dies at the hands of the Trojan prince Paris.
Conclusion
The stories of Hamlet and Achilles show that revenge is a dangerous and destructive force. It can consume people, leading them to make irrational decisions and hurt themselves and others in the process. Revenge may seem like a satisfying way to right a wrong, but it often leads to more pain and suffering.
