The Malcontent Tuesday 13th January 2015 Objective: Explore the idea of the ‘malcontent’ in Hamlet and The Revenger’s tragedy

The Malcontent In Shakespeare's day, the Malcontent was a popular character type. Hamlet was a classic Malcontent. He believed that his uncle, King Claudius, murdered his father for power, and it made him angry that everyone else seemed to think that Claudius was a good person. A malcontent person person may also feel like they are not like others in society. Shakespeare and Middleton present their two protagonists differently.

Hamlet- at the beginning of the play he describes himself as a melancholic character Later, we see other behaviour typical of the malcontent, when he is in Gertrude’s room: He raised a sigh so piteous and profound As it did seem to shatter all his bulk And end his being The malcontent may also may comments criticising society: …though I am a native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honoured in the breach than the observance

Vindice Like Hamlet, Vindice puts on an act to suit his revenge purpose. Lussurioso gets Vindice to assist him and Vindice, by taking on the job in disguise, is able to get close to him and the Duke. Vindice’s cynicism about the goodness in the world, a classic trait of the malcontent, is seen in what he says to his mother after she has seen the error of her ways.

The similarities and differences It would be easy to think of these characters as being totally different because of the way they approach the task of revenge, but it is not that simple. There are times when Hamlet takes on the voice of the authentic revenge tragedy hero and at times Vindice does not. Look at these quotations from Hamlet: Although, the use of the word ‘could’ shows audiences that there is some doubt within Hamlet;s mind, he follows by stabbing Polonius.

‘Shall we kill him now he’s drunk’ Hamlet’s apparent indifference to the murder is on par with Vindice’s comment when they have the opportunity to kill Lussurioso: ‘Shall we kill him now he’s drunk’ Vindice can also surprise the audince – in Act 2 he comments on female beauty and the transitory nature of human life.

If Hamlet, often referred to as the Renaissance man, does not match up to Vindice’s status as revenge hero when it comes to thirst for revenge, then how far can Hamlet be called a Revenge Tragedy?