Hamlet is an unconventional revenge play

Answer

Hamlet is an unconventional revenge play.

The revenge play is a dramatic genre in which the protagonist seeks revenge for an imaginary or real injury. It represents a quest for revenge and results in bloodshed and mutilation. It was popular in England during the late 16th and 17th centuries with the Elizabethans and Jacobeans. Before England, this type of drama was popularized in Rome by the ancient Roman playwright Seneca (4 BC-AD 65). Though Shakespeare designed “Hamlet” as a revenge tragedy, it is an unconventional revenge tragedy. 

The Plot is Based on Secret Murder: The plot of the play Hamlet is centred on the secret murder of Old Hamlet. Claudius secretly kills his brother, old Hamlet, and seizes the kingdom. But nobody knows that it was a cold-blooded murder. Even the audience was unaware of this fact. Shakespeare has limned through his character that guilt creates permanent fear in the way of life. Thus, the plot is well-matched with the features of a revenge tragedy. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is slightly different from conventional revenge tragedy. It has a sundry touch of unconventional revenge tragedy.

Sign of ghost: The presence of ghosts is an important trait of Shakespearian tragedy. It is not only a Shakespearian but also a Senecan tragedy, which is mingled with the sign of the ghost. The drama opens with the story of the ghost of old Hamlet. Barnardo and Francisco have seen the ghost of Old Hamlet, but the ghost is unwilling to speak to anyone except Hamlet.

After hearing this from Horatio, Hamlet decides to meet the ghost. Then, Hamlet meets the ghost, and the ghost informs Hamlet that the death of Old Hamlet is not the usual death. Claudius kills him, and the ghost says to take revenge on Claudius. Thus, like the Senecan revenge tragedy, the ghost has played a vital role in the tragedy of Hamlet to become Hamlet an avenger.

The complex attitude of Hero: The hero of the Senecan revenge tragedy is serious-minded; his only motive is to