When revenge becomes a topic in literature it brings large conflicts among characters, forming a question as to whether or not revenge is justified or if it is a means of justice. In the play, "Hamlet," hostility and revenge become the main drive for characters that develop growing issues with other characters. Act one of "Hamlet" introduces these central conflicts of the play, each having to do with a character's desire for revenge upon another character. These negative mindsets serve to reveal the main characters' antagonistic intentions and excessively prideful personalities which largely contribute to the central theme of "Hamlet." .
The beginning of act one introduces the theme of revenge, already giving purpose and conflicts among the characters living in Denmark. The play begins with three characters guarding Elsinore. A scholar named Horatio explains to the guards the purpose of their job, saying that their previous king, King Hamlet, was "prick'd on by a most emulate pride" (1.1.83) and dared into battle by King Fortinbras of Norway. Fortinbras's overly-prideful attitude enables him to take war very lightly, causing him to bring war upon Norway and Denmark as if it were inconsequential. Fortinbras's acts portray his arrogance as Horatio uses diction that reveals tones of superiority which function to initiate this theme of revenge. He says that King Hamlet was greatly "esteem'd" (1.1.85) by people of Denmark, and that King Hamlet became a "conqueror" (1.1.89). Because King Hamlet and King Fortinbras are both described as very prideful and power-hungry characters, their sons do not allow their fathers' acts in war to be taken in vain, triggering their revengeful attitudes. King Fortinbras's ignorance proves to be deeply consequential in the generation following his as his son, Prince Fortinbras, seeks useless war with Denmark in order to honor his family's name.
