With every action, there is a consequence. In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, a lot of the
characters tried to avenge a family member’s death by killing another person, which resulted in
terrible consequences. There were many terrible sins committed, most of which were related to
lies, betrayal and worst of all, murder. These terrible sins eventually led to negative consequences
which built up and led to death. Everyone in the play Hamlet committed sins except for Horatio,
who was the only survivor at the end of the play. This proves that all the other characters
committed terrible sins that led to death. The sins and mistakes these other characters made led to
their death. All of the characters in Hamlet deserved what they got. Both Hamlet and Laertes tried
to avenge the death of a loved one by wanting to kill someone else. Claudius murdered his own
brother for selfish needs; all three characters deserved death as a consequence.
Young Hamlet has committed murder; Hamlet has killed his own uncle king Claudius
for revenge. Revenge resulting to murder is a sin, which exactly what Hamlet did, he committed a
sin.
“A villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole
son, do this same villain send.” (III.iii.76-77)
After Hamlet found out the truth of his father’s death he decided to avenge his death, which meant
killing Claudius. The thought of killing someone is a murderous sin. The fact that Hamlet wants to
murder Claudius means that Hamlet has committed a sin. Hamlet did not only think about killing
Claudius, he actually followed through with his plan of killing Claudius. Following through his
plan of killing Claudius is much worse then think of killing Claudius. Hamlet did deserve death at
the end because karma came back to haunt him for all the sins he has committed. Hamlet
eventually did kill King Claudius which later on resulted in his own death.
“The point envenom’d too! Then, venom, to
thy work stabs the king.” (V.II.311-312)
Hamlet could have run away during the big battle at the end of the play, him running away could
have resulted in a different outcome. Hamlet chooses to kill Claudius instead of escaping which
led to his death. Hamlet eventually did kill Claudius and later on died therefore Hamlet did
deserve to die; he brought himself on to it.
Laertes avenged his father’s death by killing Hamlet, which is a sin. Laertes was willing
to kill Hamlet in a holy place like church.
“To cut his throat in I’ the church” (IV.vii.126)
One shall not commit sin in a holy place such as church, and Laertes was willing to commit such a
sin of murder in church is cruelty. Laertes is willing to commit such cruelties. The thought of
murdering another person should not occur in one’s mind. And Laretes was ready to do such a sin
he deserved death. If Laertes could not kill Hamlet with a sword he is willing to also poison him.
“I will do’t; and for that purpose I’ll anoint my sword.” (IV.vii.139)
Laertes would not settle with an injured Hamlet, he is determined for Hamlet to die. For a human
being when hurting another person one should feel hurt too or guilt for hurting that person, but for
Laertes who is determine to show his savage side by killing Hamlet what ever it takes. Laretes has
a well thought out back up plan of putting poison on his sword so that if Hamlet does not die of
getting stabbed by the sword he would at least be poison to death. By wanting being determined to
gain someone’s corps and the thought of killing one in a holy place like the church, Laertes
deserves death. Laertes is also sinful for the face that he wanted to kill Hamlet without knowing
the truth behind Hamlet’s action, his father’s death. Hamlet wanted to kill Claudius but mistakenly
killed Polonius Laertes’s father. The fact that Hamlet did not seem to feel any remorse made him
seem guilty. Laertes should have found out the truth behind Hamlet’s action before deciding to kill
Hamlet.
Claudius deserved to die because he committed murder by killing his own brother King
Hamlet. Claudius is willing to murder his brother King Hamlet his own blood brother.
“Forgive my foul murder” “that cannot be, since I am still
possess’d of those effects for which I did the murder my
crown, mine own ambition and my queen.” (III.iii.53-56)
Claudius even stated himself the reason why he has killed king Hamlet. The reasons are for the
crown, his ambitions and for Queen Gertrude. Claudius wanted the throne so badly that he would
kill his blood brother for it, he was a very selfish man who wanted power and which he did get but
at what price. He first kills his brother then marries King Hamlet’s wife Gertrude when she was at
her weakest from losing a husband. Claudius has always had affection towards Gertrude but has
never been able to show it. When King Hamlet died Claudius could finally marry Queen Gertrude
and be happy and satisfied. Therefore by killing King Hamlet he could gain power and the
kingdom by being the new king and also married the girl of his dream Queen Gertrude but does
that make the murder he committed a right thing to do? Killing someone for your own selfish
needs is one of the seven deadly sins greed. Claudius also wanted to murder Hamlet which is King
Hamlet’s only son, his own nephew, because Hamlet found out about the murder Claudius
committed.
“As make your bouts more violent to the end and that he calls for
drink, I’ll have prepar’d him a chalice for the nonce, whereon
but sipping, our purpose may hold there.” (III.iii.155-158)
Claudius is about to commit one foul murder after another first killing his brother now his own
nephew one sin after another. Claudius is worried about his entire kingdom finding out about all
the sins he has committed to become the new king. So he is trying to cover up his tracks by
murdering Hamlet. So that no one in the kingdom will ever find out the about his sinful deeds
which was led on by selfish needs. The selfish Claudius deserves his death because he had murder
his own family for power and wealth.
All of the characters in this play deserve what they got which death. For all three of
theses characters what started out as a thought eventually commenced into action. Both Laertes
and Hamlet should have forgiven instead of killing their enemies, and Claudius should not have
killed anyone for his selfish needs. Mainly because of the many murders committed in this play
but not only that the characters are also egotistic and selfish. If these characters would have let go
of the past and forgive one another they would not have committed so many murders and wouldn’t
have been murdered themselves. Hamlet, Laertes, and Claudius all could have lived if they would
just forgive, not be egotistic and be less selfish. Killing is equivalent committing a sin and all of
these characters killed or tried their best to kill another person which mean all of the characters
committed sins. All of the characters deserves to die for all the sins they committed. Therefore all
the characters deserved their consequences.