A Comparison of The Revenge of Fortinbras

Hamlet's all about getting back at his uncle, Claudius, but there's another character, Fortinbras, who's also out for revenge. This essay is gonna compare why they both want revenge and how it fits with what we know about revenge. Let's dig into Fortinbras' motivations for seeking vengeance and see how it plays out in the play.

Fortinbras' Motivations for Seeking Vengeance

Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway, is introduced as someone who's after revenge for his dad's death at the hands of Denmark. Even though we don't get a lot of details about why he's seeking revenge, we can tell it's all about honor and duty for him. He's looking to avenge his dad's death and reclaim his family's lost territory. We can see his thirst for revenge in how he talks and what he does in the play.

Fortinbras' Determination for Revenge

In Act 1, Scene 2, Fortinbras pops up when his uncle, the King of Norway, stops him from attacking Denmark. Fortinbras shows how determined he is for revenge, saying, "I'm ready to risk it all for revenge." This shows how set he is on getting even for his dad's death.

Also, his actions show how much he wants revenge. He's this strong leader who rallies his army to march towards Denmark. He's all about getting back his family's honor and making things right for his dad. His desire for revenge fits with the idea that seeking vengeance is a way to bring back justice and honor, even if it means using violence.

The Consequences of Fortinbras' Quest for Revenge

Now, Fortinbras' quest for revenge brings up some important stuff about what happens when you seek vengeance. Even though he seems to have good reasons for going after it, the play also shows how revenge can lead to bad stuff. Fortinbras' single-minded focus on revenge brings bloodshed and power gained through violence.

Shakespeare's looking into revenge to warn us about how destructive it can be. Through Fortinbras' story, he's showing us how revenge can mess things up and corrupt people and societies. The play suggests that revenge, even when it comes from a good place, can start a never-ending cycle of violence and chaos.

Conclusion

To sum it up, Fortinbras' desire for revenge in Hamlet lines up with what we know about revenge as a way to bring back justice and honor. He's all about duty and making things right for his dad. But the play also shows us the dark side of revenge, how it can lead to violence and ruin. By looking at Fortinbras' actions, words, and how he interacts with others, we can see why he's after revenge and what it means in the play. Shakespeare's take on revenge in Hamlet reminds us of how tricky and dangerous vengeance can be.