Can revenge be heroic?

Brian Kim 1st Period Mrs. Lukens Can revenge be heroic? Hamlet proves that revenge is heroic, despite it’s evil nature. Through the course of the book, Hamlet restores peace to his kingdom and balances the offenses of King Claudius. Still, Heroism is a matter of perspective and revenge is the action of one’s own justice onto another. What makes revenge heroic is the intent of the one who desires justice, not the aftermath. Hamlet demonstrates his heroism as his revenge begins as an attempt to preserve his fathers honor. His revenge begins heroic, however is later easily corrupted. It is learned, revenge is a never ending cycle and the true heros emerge to be the ones that forgive. Hamlet’s revenge was justified and therefore heroic. Nevertheless, the changes in him become evident and eventually detract from his righteousness. Hamlet appears to be crazy, although it is said to be merely an act to fool the king, even the reader is unable to distinguish his lunacy as Hamlet was truly blinded by revenge. The first sign of corruption is shown as Hamlet denies his love for Ophelia. Here it is seen, his desire to avenge his father overshadows his love for others. “Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?...”(act 3,sc.1), his revenge on Claudius manifests on his conversation with Ophelia. Revenge loses it’s heroism when it changes to hatred. Nevertheless, Hamlets retains his true feelings as he’d rather see Ophelia alone than with another man. Another corruption to heroism in revenge is shown when Hamlet kills Polonius. Hamlet’s revenge does not stop with murder; he now feels nothing and is willing to do whatever it takes to have his revenge. “A bloody deed - almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry his brother”(act 3, sc.4), Hamlet’s revenge has turned evil, yet still portrayed as a justified, almost heroic evil. With all evils, revenge becomes a never ending cycle. This is shown, following the death of Polonius, in Ophelia. Hamlet’s revenge has spread amongst others including Ophelia and Laertes. Ophelia, for one, is driven to madness and eventually suicide. This shows that revenge is a lose lose situation for both the revenger and the revengee. The cycle continues as Laertes then is manipulated by Claudius and becomes the downfall of Hamlet’s life. Laertes, much like Hamlet, was consumed by his desire to get revenge. Fittingly, Laerte’s plot to kill Hamlet becomes his own death. Still Laertes forgives Hamlet for the murder of his father, “The king, the king’s to blame… he’s justly served. It is poison tempered by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.” Here it is shown again, the backlash of revenge in Claudius as well as the cease of evil through forgiveness. Laertes becomes the true hero as he foils Claudius’s plot and returns honor to Hamlet’s family. Forgiveness emerges to be the best revenge. Forgiveness is pure revenge without corruption.. Moreover, all was not lost in Hamlet’s revenge, Hamlet’s plot appears to be successful. The king has been overthrown and order has returned to the kingdom of Denmark. Hamlet is seen as hero through the way he is buried, “Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage...the soldier’s music and the rite of war speak loudly for him.”(act 5, sc.2) Like a martyr, Hamlet does not die in vain. He fulfils his father’s wishes and restores honor and justice in the kingdom. Yet, was it worth it? Hamlet dies pitifully, witnessing the death of his father, mother, and lover. There is no doubt that revenge is heroic. To enact revenge is to stand up for what one believes in. Still, Hamlet best displays the setbacks of revenge as he dies a pitiful death. Through the course of the book, revenge is revealed to be easily corrupted and shown as a never ending cyle. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is shown as a pure revenge that is not corrupted and finite. Perhaps if Hamlet forgave Claudius, the truth of Claudius’s evil deeds would come back to haunt him. In any case, how we carry on our revenge determines what kind of hero we choose to be.