... in which the revenge ethic still reigned supreme; thus, in the context of the play, Hamlet should have taken revenge. Even the most cursory review of the dramatic movement and literary structure of the play, however, demolishes all such interpretations. First, there is the mega-fact that the various plots to take revenge all end in utter disaster. At play's end ... bloodlust, his point is obvious. The last scene's condemnation of revenge is made all the more profound by the ironic way in which vengeful characters fall victim to their own devices. Laertes is killed by the poisoned sword ...

• Word Count: 1931
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School