Vengeance Theme Shakespeare“Sweet is revenge-especially to women” (Barlett, 1980, pg 460). Vengeance is not just a theme created by authors; it is seen throughout the world everyday. Vengeance is repeated endlessly throughout human history and most people encounter vengeance at some point in their life. Vengeance is also a natural part of the human character. Furthermore, women seem to be more prone to jealousy than men, which then results in vengeance.
Therefore, vengeance is a universal theme which many authors introduce in their works. Sometimes, even when their works are translated to different languages; their theme can also be communicated to the audience or readers around the world effectively. Vengeance also makes a great change in human life. It may bring sadness or conflicts, sometimes even injury or death. For that reason, vengeance is an imperfection in the human character and it may cause serious destruction.
The theme of two tragic plays, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and King Lear by William Shakespeare, has a strong emphasis on vengeance. Even though Arthur Miller and William Shakespeare were born in different periods of time, their works portray the theme of vengeance in a similar way. By comparing these two dramas through an examination of the causes of vengeance, the consequences of vengeance and the irony of vengeance, it becomes evident the plays share a universal theme which will transcend all time.
To begin with, the universal theme of vengeance in The Crucible and King Lear can be closely compared through a thorough examination of the causes of vengeance in both dramas. In The Crucible, many of the villagers show the ugliest part of humanity. Although the Puritans are well- known for their strict religious morality, various neighbours falsely accuse others because of long held resentments . In Act II, Miller writes, “Long-held hatred of neighbours could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible’s charitable injunctions… one could cry witch against one’s neighbour and feel perfectly justified in the bargain” (Miller, 1953, pg 7-8).
For example, Mr. and Mrs. Putnam blame Rebecca Nurse for the death of their seven babies. The Putnams are people who like to force others to suffer along with them because of their own unhappiness. Mrs. Putnam has given birth to seven babies and all of them died very soon after they were born (Miller, 1953, pg15). Mrs. Putnam and her husband feel angry because of the suffering they have endured. Therefore, they want others to suffer with them and they blame Rebecca Nurse for the death for their seven babies.
They eventually accuse Rebecca of witchcraft and she is condemned to death. Mr. Giles Corey also accuses Mr. Putnam of making accusations against his neighbours in order to steal their land (Miller, 1953, pg 96). When a person is accused of witchcraft, their land will be confiscated and auctioned off. Besides, Mr. Putnam is an embittered and greedy man. He is jealous of his neighbours because of all of their land and he wants to own it. Hence, he makes up a false accusation of witchcraft against his enemies.
Abigail Williams is the antagonist in The Crucible who brings about the main themes in the play. She is a whore who wants to destroy John and Elizabeth Proctor’s happy family. She has an affair with Proctor and she wants to take Elizabeth’s place in Proctor’s life. She tries to use “witchcraft” to get rid of Elizabeth, so she can be with Proctor (Miller, 1953, pg 19). All of the vengeful ideas that come from Abigail’s mind come about as a result of her painful childhood.
The weightiness of the extramarital relationship with Proctor and Abigail is the source of the tragedy in the play (Belk, 2002, pg 2). Abigail regards the immoral love with Proctor as the most important part of her life. She has never experienced the joy of love, even from her parents or any other family members. Her parents were killed in front of her and Reverend Parris,
