Throughout his plays and plays, Shakespeare incorporates themes that define human nature. In his play “Hamlet” he uses characters to portray the desires and flaws of society to teach the audience a lesson that is not always visible on the surface of his plays. The lessons were not only meant to be a lesson but also a warning, as Shakespeare is famous for his ability to end the lives of many of his actors in his plays, all in the name of teaching the audience. His most important lesson centers on Hamlet's main plot, revenge. Shakespeare uses Hamlet and Laertes to show that revenge will always result in excessive harm that is not meant to be inflicted. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The story of Hamlet is woven by Shakespeare to allow his audience to experience all the situations that can trigger a need for revenge. He uses all situations to teach the audience the one central lesson that connects to all forms of revenge. Revenge is revenge for a terrible action committed by someone else. This is why he uses King Hamlet's ghost in the exposition to begin his lesson. This is seen at the end of Act I in the conversation between Hamlet and King Hamlet, “Avenge his foul and unnatural murder.”(1.5.31). In this excerpt, Shakespeare brings revenge as a reason for others to join in and assist in the act. This line shows how King Hamlet asks Hamlet for help. While this was common during that time due to honor towards family, Shakespeare uses this as an example of a third party caught in the mix. Next, he advises Hamlet not to harm his mother with “Defile not thy mind, nor let thy soul deceive. Against your mother you should. Leave her in heaven. (1.5.93-94). Shakespeare's use of this sheds light on a new character who has nothing to do with King Hamlet's revenge story, but will use her to exemplify how revenge can lash out at others. Gertrude in “Hamlet” will ultimately serve as a lesson learned for King Hamlet and the audience. Shakespeare includes a scene in the third act in which King Hamlet states, “Defile not thy mind, nor let thy soul deceive. Against your mother you should. Leave her in heaven. (1.5.93-94). Here King Hamlet reminds Hamlet that his mission of vengeance should shed no blood other than that of his enemy. However, the actions taken by King Hamlet and Hamlet are in vain as Gertrude dies in the final act. Shakespeare's meaning and lesson on revenge teaches the audience, through King Hamlet, that revenge is never a precise operation. Throughout the great lesson about revenge, Shakespeare adds many smaller lessons about revenge. Revenge has many faces and can sometimes be innocent. While King Hamlet puts vengeance into someone else's hands, Shakespeare uses Laertes to show vengeance brought about. Laertes' story is one of distrust of Hamlet and care for his sister Ophelia, with whom Hamlet is romantically involved. Laertes tells Ophelia “Fear Ophelia… out of the reach of danger and desire” (1.3.37-40). Shakespeare uses it as the beginning for the story of Laertes' revenge. As he explicitly states that Hamlet is not to be trusted. He pleads with Ophelia to stay away from danger by staying away from Hamlet. Then, he leaves and is seen once again in the fifth act after Hamlet has caused Ophelia tremendous emotional distress and driven her to suicide. His pain is evident when he states “Whose wickedness made your sense the most.