The Nature of Evil in William Shakespeares Hamlet Essay

Society has been preoccupied by the concept of good and evil since the emergence of civilization and, just as humankind has evolved over time, so has the definition of evil. Evil was first used to describe someone who placed themselves above others and it wasnt until the Old and Middle English period that evil became associated with wrong-doing. As time passed, the definition continued to become increasingly more specific until it reached its modern day definition: â€Å"extreme moral wickedness.† (www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=evil) However, what one ultimately defines as evil depends on ones personal experiences, frame of reference, and culture. For instance, during World War II, the Americans believed that dropping an atomic bomb on†¦show more content†¦Hamlet is the primary victim of Claudius malevolent deeds, causing a dramatic shift in his nature. He becomes a slave to misfortune and feels the need to right the wrongs in his life, specifically the murder of his father. Upon hearing the truth about the nature of his fathers death, Hamlet becomes a vital part in the cyclical pattern of evil as he vows to take revenge on his uncle, Claudius: Haste me to knowt, that I with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love May sweep me to my revenge. (I.v.29-31) Although Hamlet is â€Å"a victim† of Claudius deeds, the reader is unable to sustain any feeling of heightened pathos once he seeks justice by exacting revenge. However, one must take into consideration the common thought processes of the time. It wasnt until recently that society began to view retributive justice as unacceptable and morally wrong. Therefore, Hamlet would have been justified in his attempts to get revenge for his fathers murder. In addition, getting revenge gives Hamlet no personal gain except the redemption of his fathers name, while Claudius kills with power in mind. Furthermore, Claudius is responsible for the death of an innocent while Hamlet is only concerned with killing those who are guilty,Show MoreRelatedEssay about The Nature of Evil in William Shakespeares Hamlet1953 Words   |  8 PagesThe Nature of Evil in William Shakespeares Hamlet Works Cited Missing Hamlet is a Shakespearean revenge tragedy, which was a strong, and entertaining form of drama popular in the Elizabethan era during which Shakespeare (1562-1616) lived. Hamlet, like many of Shakespeares plays has been inspired by another famous tragedy, in this case, The Spanish TragedyRead More Claudius as Evil in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay990 Words   |  4 PagesClaudius as Evil in Hamlet by William Shakespeare The abstract concept of evil has vastly transformed throughout human history, ranging for the supernatural and mystical to the very humans amongst whom we live. In modern times, evil has become an entirely ambiguous term. Who is evil? What is evil? 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