Revenge

Question 1

A.C Bradley 1904 ‘hamlet is unable to carry out…

Answer 1

‘Hamlet is unable to carry out the sacred duty, imposed by divine authority of punishing an evil by death’
- argues that this is conflict is result of his ‘inward struggle’ & reluctance to fulfill role of revenger
- revenge is presented as a mechanism that is desired by male characters

Question 2

Belsey 1979 ‘revenge is not…

Answer 2

‘Revenge is not justice, it is rather an act of injustice on behalf of justice’

Question 3

Gardiner 21st century ‘hamlet’s agony of mind…

Answer 3

‘Hamlet’s agony of mind…differentiate him from that smooth, swift plotter Claudius’

Question 4

Bacon 1625 ‘in taking revenge, a man…

Answer 4

‘In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior’

Question 5

Hazlitt ‘hamlet cannot have a perfect…

Answer 5

‘Hamlet cannot have a perfect revenge…so declines it altogether’