Joey Robinson!

Mrs. Carter!
9th, February 2015!
AP Literature!
Ill Make a Ghost of Him That Lets Me: Redeeming the Lost!
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In an attempt to [Take] restitution for the murder of the king, Prince Hamlet of

Denmark devotes his life to avenging his father. Hamlet is a revenge tragedy, the
revenger is condemned from the start. While his fate (and that of everyone else) is
certain, the events that set the foundation are the reasons for which Hamlet is a
revenger. At the very moment he vows to wipe away all trivial fond records (H I. vi.),
his fate is sealed. As all Elizabethan revenge tragedies go, the revenger is condemned
for death. However, the recompense of his fathers death quickly turns into the sole
purpose of his existence. !
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This is first evident in Hamlets reaction to finding out about the death of his

father. Understandably, he becomes very depressed. This is more salt in the incestuous
wound in which he survives. He wishes himself to the same fate as the late King.
However, Hamlets religion decides him against the idea of suicide. He regrets that the
Everlasting had not fixd His canon gainst self-slaughter. (H I. ii.) Due to Gods stance
on suicide, Hamlet regretfully refrains from reaping his own existence. This opens up
the door for Hamlet to become a revenger, settling for nothing less than redemption for
his father. He reminisces on how great his father was, not only as a king, but as a
person in general. As Hamlet discusses this, he uses a metaphor that will later be
repeated throughout the story. Hamlet says that his life Tis an unwed garden That

grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature. Reflecting on this unfortunate
situation, Hamlet shows his contrasting opinions on the late King Hamlet, and the now
King Claudius. Later in the soliloquy, Hamlet talks about how quickly Queen Gertrude,
his mother, went to Claudius after the death of King Hamlet. Although, the suppression
later shown in the soliloquy can also be related to all of Hamlets bent up anger. Being
that the only evidence Hamlet has is the word of a ghost, [he] must hold [his]
tongue. (H I. ii.)!
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Hamlet is constantly seeking revenge for the death of his father. This is obvious

not only in his subtle jabs towards Claudius, but also in the way Hamlets mind never
seems to stray from the lack of future in his life. In Act III Scene iii Hamlet notices
Claudius praying to The Lord for repentance for his past sins. In seeing this, Hamlet has
a soliloquy about what to do now that his uncle has prayed. He knows that he is
eventually going to murder Claudius, but hopes to do it in a way that will send Claudius
to Hell. Having a religious background, Hamlet believes that Claudius must have sinned
right before his death in order for him to be eternally condemned. There is irony in this
situation, because of how King Hamlet suffered in his death, Hamlet wants Claudius to
suffer the same way. He does not want to this same villain send To heaven. Hamlet
plans on waiting until When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in the incestuous
pleasure of his bed. This way, Hamlet believes, will give the condemnation to Claudius
that he deserves. Hamlet wants, with every part of his being, for [Claudius] soul may
be as damnd and black As hell, whereto it goes. This is the end that Hamlet hopes for.
His madness is not only real, but he wants Claudius to suffer. Worse than death, Hamlet

hopes for eternal condemnation for his incestuous, murdering uncle, as shown in this
soliloquy.!
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In this final soliloquy, Hamlet reflects on how he feels that everything is working

against him. His reaction to not being able to take revenge shows how deeply he really
wants to murder his uncle. Hamlet contrasts between his willingness to do the deed,
and that he has actually carried out. As he points out, he [has] cause and will and
strength and means To dot. (H IV. iv.) Yet he believes his hesitation to have come from
one part wisdom And ever three parts coward (H IV. iv.). This is a driving force for
Hamlet. He desperately wants to prove to himself and others that he has the capacity to
get revenge on his Uncle Claudius. Paralleling to the war going on in a neighboring
country, Hamlet is motivated by the actions taken by Fortinbras. Hamlet makes an
amazing point here. Rightly to be great Is not to stir without great argument, But greatly
to find quarrel in a straw When honors at the stake. (H IV. iv.) Hamlet is completely
aware that this issue between him and his uncle concerns Hamlets honor. To not
murder Claudius and avenge King Hamlet would be an unclean mark on Hamlets
honor. As Fortinbras does, Hamlet is inspired to go to battle over something small, just
because his honor is on the line. Thus, his need for revenge is justified. !
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Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, on an Elizabethan quest for revenge, condemns

himself and those around him. Proving that he will stay true to an eye for an eye,
Hamlet stays true and defends his honor. Understanding the consequences that come
with it, Hamlet still devotes the rest of his life to getting back at his Uncle. Through these
three soliloquies his constant determination is displayed.