Justice in Shakespeare's Hamlet

In today's society, those who have done wrong are taken to court where they go through a long trial before justice can be served - that is if it is served at all. That is not to say that there were no courts or civilized means of punishing wrongdoers in the past, though many people tended to take justice into their own hands. Those who do wrong should be punished and their victims should have some sort of relief. At some times, the villain gets away with his crime, although at other times he makes mistakes which can come back to haunt him. This is the case in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Many of the characters have done wrong to another, the biggest victim being Hamlet. The quest for revenge and justice is very overwhelming for him. As Laertes dies, he says that he is "justly killed". Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Claudius all have nemesis visited upon them. Their own wrongdoing backfires, bringing the downfall of each and justice for Hamlet.

Polonius, the father of Laertes and Ophelia, has a large tendency to spy. He sticks his nose where it does not belong and he cannot seem to mind his own business. Although his intentions seem fair, Polonius spies on his children quite a bit. With his son Laertes away in France, he sends his servant Reynaldo to see if everything is all right. Before the visit, Polonius wants his man "to make inquire of his behavior" (II.i.4-5). It appears as though Polonius does not have very much trust in his son; so spying is his way to make sure that his and Laertes' reputation remains intact. Polonius not only spies on his children, but also on Hamlet. With the king, he plans to use Ophelia to understand why Hamlet acts so strangely. To the king, he says, "At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him. Be you and I behind an arras then" (II.ii.161-162). This is not the only time where Polonius spies on Hamlet. He does so again when Hamlet is speaking to Gertrude in her chambers. He decides to "convey [himself] to hear the process" (III.iii.28-29). Hamlet, not knowing that Polonius is behind the curtain, strikes with his sword killing the spy. At one point, Claudius says that together, he and Polonius are "lawful espials" (III.i.32). Though in reality, if his spying was lawful, he wouldn't have died. Therefore, Polonius' tendency to spy is what kills him and puts him to justice.
Join now!


Two of Hamlet's dear friends from university, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, also have nemesis visited upon them. They are sent for by Claudius who tells them, "The need we have to use you did provoke our hasty sending" (II.ii.3-4). This great need is for them to find out exactly what is wrong with Hamlet. It is known that Hamlet is such good friends with them because Gertrude says, "He hath much talked of you, and sure I am two men there is not living to whom he more adheres" (II.ii.19-21). Even though Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are supposed to be ...

This is a preview of the whole essay