Hamlet Revenge Quotes Page 4

Laertes's desire to "cut [Hamlet's] throat in church" recalls Hamlet's deliberate choice to not kill Claudius while he is praying. The play seems to suggest that this is the necessary mindset for a revenge hero.

This passage reminds us that after Claudius murdered Old King Hamlet and married Gertrude, he "popp'd in between the election and [Hamlet's] hopes." Translation: Claudius disrupted Hamlet's succession to the throne of Denmark. Claudius, as we know, took advantage of Hamlet's absence (he was away at school) and convinced the noble councilmen to elect him king. Up until this point, Hamlet's never really articulated his desire to replace his father as the Danish monarch but here, it seems that this may also be a primary motive for killing Claudius.

A common feature in all of Shakespeare's tragedies is the death of the hero. (The conclusion of Hamlet, as we know, is a major bloodbath.) Yet, despite the death of the individual, Shakespeare's tragedies are also always concerned with reestablishing a sense of political order. Hamlet's dying words and his "prophesy" that Fortinbras will win the next "election" anticipates the Norwegian prince's arrival in Denmark and likely succession to the throne. We're left with a sense that Denmark, as a collective whole, will be in capable hands. Want more about the conventions that govern the genre of tragedy? Check out our discussion of "Genre."