Many might say that the cost of Hamlet's revenge is death. True that is one outcome of his revenge, but that is not all. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, we find out about the other consequences of revenge. This is a story of murder and that is indeed what Hamlets revenge is. As Lord Hamlet's ghost says, "Murder most foul, as in the best it is" (1.5.33).
While Hamlets actions affected many things, perhaps the most significant action was that which took place near the end of the play. Everyone who is supposedly guarding the castle is so wrapped up in the drama of Hamlets revenge that they forget about doing their job of keeping watch. While watching the ominous fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes, Norway's army surrounded and invaded the castle. Because of the lack of guards, the army easily overpowers the few men keeping watch. Seizing control of the castle, Norway now ruled Denmark. The Norwegians, expecting more resistance were surprised by the number of people dead "This quarry cries on havoc" (5.2.403). This was clearly the most significant consequence of Haml
One problem that could have arisen if Hamlet had killed his uncle at the beginning was that other people would have thought that it was a murder purely out of hatred and jealousy. He would have had no tangible proof that his uncle had killed his father, the king. In order to take over the throne. People would have thought that he was crazy if he told them that the reason that he killed his Uncle was because his dads ghost told him that his Uncle was the murderer. Because of his seemingly pointless actions he would have lost all respect of his loved ones such as the Queen and Ophelia. He also might have faced being beheaded by the townspeople. Quite possibly this was the right thing to do; it saved any grief of lost ones or hatred towards Hamlet. Hamlet might really have used his intelligence in a good way when he acted upon his revenge.
Hamlet's revenge was definitely the main theme to the play. What started out as Hamlet's desire to get revenge towards his uncle for killing his father escalated to the point that Denmark would be changed forever.
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