Modern times almost always see justice served. Most wrongdoings and crimes are punished and reprimanded. Some people go beyond the bounds of the law to try and make things right. The co-formality and fairness of the law as well as justice are what keep the world stable. Revenge means to be barbaric, adolescent and allow you to retaliate. Justice refers to fair and impartial treatment or behavior. Three characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet experience the sudden death of a loved one. These characters’ reactions to their problems show the chaos and rage that is present in the play. Hamlet and Claudius let madness poison their minds and prevent justice from being done. This allows cold-blooded vengeance to be carried out. Laertes becomes overwhelmed by anger and unanswered queries after his father’s unexpected death. Claudius offers him help. Claudius reveals his plan of revenge. “No place should ever be used to murder holy places. Revengeance should not be limited. Good Laertes, you can do it, but keep your eyes on the chamber. These words will hook the naive fish and give them the illusion that they are a satisfying worm. Laertes is hungry for revenge. His blood is his word, which seals the deal that will eventually lead to his own demise. Laertes is overcome by madness. He can’t see that revenge does not work. Loyal Laertes suffers from madness, which makes it impossible to breathe the sweet sounds of fair justice. Hamlet is challenged to a fencing competition by Laertes in order to make up the two losses. Ophelia leaves Sanity behind to be with her fair sister Ophelia. Laertes, furious and distraught, demands a duel against Prince. Before the match, Hamlet and Laertes exchange words. With Laertes hitting two times, Hamlet is now in a narrow position to strike Laertes. The unaware Hamlet is cut by the poisoned sword. Laertes’ deathly revenge has left Hamlet’s exposed. Hamlet, full of anger and determined to exact his revenge on Laertes, cuts through Laertes’ skin. Both of them are doomed for death. Laertes’ final words were a plea for forgiveness. Justice condemns the murderer. Justice allows the victim, Polonious’ son, to grieve and to seek forgiveness. Revenge ruins the victim’s innocence and makes him feel guilty. Laertes’ quest for self-satisfying justice leads him to become naive. Claudius, a villain who is different from Hamlet and Laertes, is introduced. Hamlet is first visited by the Ghost, his father’s ghost. Hamlet is told by the Ghost what has happened. Hamlet vows to vengeance Claudius’ murder. In two months, the kingdom will have a funeral as well as a wedding. Both are performed by Gertrude, the Queen. Hamlet is the only one who sees any problem with this. He confronts Gertrude. Here’s your husband, like an ear rotted by mildew/ blasting the wholesome brother. Hamlet opens a door for his mother, and he becomes aware that Claudius has covered her eyes, making her blind to what is around her. She realises Claudius has killed her, but she is not able to speak. Hamlet is comforted by the presence of his mother. His father’s sudden death is worse than his mother’s sudden remarriage. Hamlet does not care about Claudius’ justice, he is interested in revenge. Hamlet must know the guilt of Claudius. This is possible because Hamlet’s play within play. Hamlet’s beliefs are the basis of the characters King, Queen, Uncle. Claudius’s frustration is evident in his reaction. Claudius’s frustration is evident in his reaction. Away! Hamlet realizes that God will decide Claudius’ fate. Hamlet doesn’t give up on revenge. He is now motivated morally to see that Claudius’ death is not harmful to him. He attempts to forget Claudius’ death, but God will guide him. The cold-heartedness and inhumanity of the king are revealed in the final scene where Hamlet and Laertes compete in fencing. His soul is overcome by power. The murder of his brother, his flesh and expressions, as well as his emotionless words and expressions, leave him feeling stifled and unloved. His own mistakes seem to have little effect on his death, which he seems to feel very little about. “It’s too late. It’s poisoned tea. Yes, it is true that the murderer has died. But has justice been served? But does the murderer of Claudius solve the problem of the first king’s murder? Everybody who cares about the first king has died, and no one can enjoy the death of the murderer. All this is because of revenge. Hamlet only cares about Claudius and not justice for his death. Claudius was poisoned by Greed. Hamlet was silenced by revenge. All three men made the decision to revenge. Their hearts were broken by revenge; madness seized their minds and prevented them from seeing the other possibilities. There are three options for retaliation. The satisfaction of not getting what you want is not possible. Horatio, Fortinbra and their speeches at the conclusion of the play hint at a mixture justice/murder. The Ghost has not returned to comment upon the events that occurred at the end. It is sad that self-satisfying greed overrides the opportunity to make the right moral decision. The human psyche is full of mysteries, such as temptation and selfishness. “Shakespeare wanted us to be left wondering, despite the obvious attraction, how much Hamlet can do to bring about justice.
