You are on page 1of 3

In both "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare and "The Spanish Tragedy" by Thomas Kyd, we see characters

deciding to seek justice on their own. Here are some reasons why this happens in these plays:
Feeling of Unfairness:
In both stories, the main characters (Hamlet in "Hamlet" and Hieronimo in "The Spanish Tragedy")
believe that a serious injustice has been done to them or their loved ones. This sense of unfair
treatment becomes a strong reason for them to want revenge.
Distrust in Legal Systems:
Hamlet and Hieronimo find themselves in situations where the existing legal systems or authorities
seem incapable or ineffective in addressing the wrongs done to them. This lack of trust in the legal
process pushes them to take matters into their own hands.
Both Hamlet and Hieronimo are motivated by a deep sense of personal honor and a responsibility to
avenge the harm done to their families. The idea of honor and taking personal action for justice strongly
drives them.
Involvement of Supernatural Forces:
Both plays include supernatural elements. In "Hamlet," the ghost of Hamlet's father encourages him to
seek revenge. In "The Spanish Tragedy," Revenge is a supernatural character guiding Hieronimo. These
supernatural elements make the characters feel compelled to take matters into their own hands.
Emotional Struggle:
The main characters in both plays undergo significant emotional strain due to the injustices they've
experienced. This emotional turmoil leads them to act impulsively and take justice into their own hands
rather than relying on the established legal system.
"Hamlet" and "The Spanish Tragedy" fall into the category of revenge tragedies, where seeking justice
through revenge often results in tragic outcomes. The characters' decisions to act independently
contribute to the complexity and tragedy of both plays.
In "Hamlet" and "The Spanish Tragedy," the characters decide to take matters into their own
hands and kill people because they believe they've been treated unfairly. They don't trust the
regular legal ways to make things right. Their personal sense of honor and duty makes them
want to get revenge for the wrongs done to them or their families. The emotional pain they feel
also pushes them towards violence. Plus, the influence of supernatural things, like ghosts or
magical elements, plays a part in their choices. The sad results of their actions show how
complicated and serious it can be when people try to get justice by using violence on their own .
.

Doctor Faustus:
Faustus is a smart guy who's not satisfied with what he knows.
He makes a deal with the devil to get magical powers in exchange for his soul.
With these powers, Faustus does both cool and bad things, like summoning spirits and
traveling around magically.
Faustus uses magic because he wants power, wealth, and pleasure for himself.
His use of magic leads to a tragic end because he makes a deal with the devil, trading
his soul for magical powers.
Prospero ("The Tempest"):
Prospero uses magic for justice, achieving political goals, and guiding events on an
enchanted island.
Prospero controls natural elements, summons spirits like Ariel, creates illusions, and
uses magic for positive outcomes, including forgiveness.
Prospero's use of magic leads to a resolution, and he eventually gives up his magical
powers, symbolizing a return to normal life.
Faustus uses magic for selfish reasons and faces tragedy, while Prospero's magic has
broader and more positive goals, leading to resolution and reconciliation.

.
Mephistopheles:
Mephistopheles is like the devil's assistant, helping out with dark deeds.
He assists Faustus in doing magical stuff because Faustus made a deal with the devil.
Comparison:
Faustus wants power and fun through magic.
Mephistopheles helps Faustus with the magic, but things go wrong, leading to a sad
ending for Faustus.
In a nutshell, Faustus is the human seeking magic, and Mephistopheles is the devilish
assistant helping him. The story teaches about the consequences of seeking power in
the wrong way.

Summoning Spirits:
Faustus uses his magical knowledge to summon spirits and demons. He
initially conjures Mephistopheles, who becomes his servant and guide in the
magical arts.
Illusions and Tricks:
Faustus entertains himself and others by performing illusions and magical
tricks. This includes creating illusions of grapes that turn out to be only ashes
and playing tricks on the Pope and his followers.
Transformation:
Faustus transforms his appearance and that of his associate, Wagner, using
magical spells. These transformations are used for amusement and to
showcase his power.
Knowledge Seeking:
Faustus uses his magical abilities to acquire knowledge that goes beyond
conventional human understanding. He seeks answers to profound questions
about the universe, life, and the afterlife.
Time Travel:
Faustus travels through time and space with the help of his magical powers.
This is demonstrated when he visits the courts of historical and mythological
figures, including Helen of Troy.
Conjuring Objects:
Faustus conjures objects seemingly out of thin air, showcasing his command
over magical forces. These demonstrations impress and astonish those
around him.
Dealings with Lucifer:
Faustus's pact with the devil grants him the ability to call upon Lucifer himself.
This pact, however, ultimately leads to Faustus's tragic fate as he exchanges
his soul for twenty-four years of magical power.
It's important to note that while Faustus initially revels in the pleasures and
possibilities offered by his magical abilities, the misuse and consequences of
his powers become central to the tragedy. His reliance on magic for personal
gain and entertainment ultimately leads to his downfall and damnation. The
play serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of making deals with
dark forces and the misuse of supernatural powers.

You might also like