"But when everything you love has been stolen from you, someone has to pay." (Revenge) This is a very clear description of my view on revenge. The girl gets ‘wronged’ and wants to pretend like she is helping those who harmed her, when really she wants to get back at them and have revenge. She is doings exactly what I have to do. She is acting like she is helping and has to put on this fake side to her actions, until the real her comes out and she gets revenge; just like I will hopefully do someday. Everything I loved, my father, got taken away from me. Not only did he get taken but he got replaced in a matter of two months. A lot of change happened, change that I was not okay with, change that changed my life forever. I feel just like the [blond] girl in this show. All I want is revenge, to somehow make up for what I lost. Yet, as I think about what I really should do in a situation like this, and as I listen to you all’s advice (which I appreciate very much) I have come to a couple conclusions; I want revenge on whoever killed my father, I want to get rid of my uncle, and I’m questioning whether or not I should take action on revenge or just try to get over it and cope with the difficulties and harsh feelings towards others.
Before I take any revenge too seriously I am thinking about just making fun of some people; playing some ‘games’ and see how they react. Something I said to Polonius is, “Excellent well. You are a fishmonger.”(2.2.174) Maybe that will show Polonius that he is a pimp and isn’t all that he’s cracked up to be. I need to put others down and be above everyone else in order to get my true feelings out.
I tried whatever I could so that I could make fun of/mock others. “Polonius: What do you read, my lord? / Hamlet: Words, words, words.”(2.2.191-192) Duh I’m reading words, but whatever I could do to make him feel stupid, I would do, and it worked. Also, “Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? / Hamlet: Between whom?”(2.2.193-194) Duh Polonius isn’t talking about the matter between two people; he could tell that something was bothering me. I was not about to tell him what was going on though, I just wanted him to feel stupid again. I was not only sarcastic in my conversations but I also used words to put others down, “These tedious old fools!”(2.2.218) It felt great to call them fools and put them down; finally below me. I haven’t cared what others are saying and I have not been as proper to those that I should maybe be proper to. “Buzz, buzz.”(2.2.336) All of these actions are helping a little bit and I hope I am handling this well. Let me know if you have any suggestions that have worked for you on the road to revenge.
Thanks again for listening and helping,
Hamlet, my dear boy... I see you're venting to the world about your inner feelings. Why don't you share your thoughts - in more obvious terms than madness - with the rest of us? It would truly do you well to vent to those in your life, rather than simply spouting "Words, words, words (2.2.192)". I agree with you, yes, it can feel good to be above others, - believe me, I know! - but it can be harrowing all the same. Especially when my own son seems to hate me!
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is simply not befitting of you, the heir to the throne, to behave in such manners! The people look up to you, and they see this... Mad boy! "I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down, for/yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if like a crab/you could go backward. (2.2.202-204)". Does that sound like something a prince should be saying to someone whom his father is friends with? No!
Well, my son... I hope you reflect on what I have said, or at the VERY least consider it! Your mother truly worries!
Your father,
Claudius
Dear Hamlet,
ReplyDeleteI understand that you’re feeling that I rushed into my marriage with Claudius and I’m truly sorry that you feel the way you do about it. I agree that this has caused a lot of change throughout the castle, but I must confess that it never really crossed my mind to talk with you about this before and now I see that it was a grave mistake. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me and stop all this nonsense about getting revenge. I promise you that it will not help you in the end. No good can come out of this. I know that you are already making snide comments to those around you like when said to Polonius, “You are a fishmonger.” (2.2.190). Also, when the players came and they were reciting Hecuba’s sorrow at her husband’s death you talked of Polonius saying, “He’s for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps.” (2.2.525-526). I know that you knew who he was you’re only embarrassing yourself by continuing to make comments like these. I hope that you stop this behavior and just try to talk to us like an adult and at least try to act like a Prince.
Your Loving Mother,
Gertrude
Hamlet,
ReplyDeleteHow can I accept this new, more angered person you have become, even now! After knowing all of this, the real reason you have changed. I know you said above that "Everything I loved, my father, got taken away from me", but why that is reason to treat me like you did, I will never know. As I spoke to my father directly after you made first contact with me I was so frightened by everything that had happened I told him, "To speak of horrors--he comes before me" (2.1.94). Yet all I remember are those sweet sweet times we used to be together and in love; where have they gone my lord? The only reason I can agree with you on is your pain. It has so deeply penetrated you that it is nevertheless there and extremely present inside you. I could even sense it as you approached me that one night, it was in your eyes, "so piteous in purport" (2.1.92). Your pain is felt, why you take the anger out on me though, I cannot find that answer.