Hamlet's way of taking justice into his own hands bares many similarities to Othello, as well as many differences.
The first similarity is that the violent nature of Othello and Hamlet is persuaded and controlled by others. it is the ghost's guidance of Hamlet and Iago's manipulation of Othello that lead these characters to commit theses savage acts.
Another similarity between the two is that both Othello and Hamlet feel they are doing a great justice in murdering their victims. According to Othello, he does a great service for all mankind in killing Desdemona. If she's dead, she can't cheat.(Act 5, Scene 2: Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.)
Hamlet's angle is that he is avenging the death of his father. Clearly, Hamlet and the ghost believe in an eye for an eye justice system. If that were the case back in the day, Othello would seem ten times as harsh as he already does.
Finally, the largest difference that I saw between Hamlet and Othello is their views toward the souls of their prey. Othello was thoughtful in making sure that Desdemona made her peace with god before he smothered her. What a good guy. Hamlet, however, delays in killing Claudius because he is praying at the time of Hamlet's attempt to kill him. Hamlet wants to send him straight to hell. This leads me to believe that the ghost is acting through Hamlet, a servant of heaven sending a sinner (Claudius) to hell.
I wonder where Othello and Hamlet went when they died. If I were the judge, I would send Othello to hell. Desdemona was innocent and the symbol of all that is good and pure. Killing her is like flipping god the bird. Hamlet, however, would go to heaven. He saw the evil in Claudius and believed that incest is wrong when others did not. Justice was served more in Hamlet and not so much in Othello.
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4 comments:
Ah--where do they go? Othello, unfortunately, kills himself, so by the standards of the time he cannot go to heaven. And do we see him repent his deed? That would be essential to help save his soul. His reference that Iago has ensnared his soul is probably a good indication of what'll happen.
Hamlet, on the other hand, only kills Polonius in a rage/"by accident" and will later kill the king in "self defense" (it's complicated)...and Horatio indicates that "flights of angels will sing [him] to [his] rest."
Good analysis and comparisons- precise and descriptive ones between two characters Hamlet and Otherllo’s attitude towards taking justice in their hands But I get lost in the last paragraph and did not grasp what you mean.
i like your entry.i found it both well analyzed and funny, i agree with your comparisons but i found your conclusion a bit confusing. but all in all good job!
i agree wit u for the way that u related hamlet to othello towards taking justice in their own hands
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