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Revenge Essay | Essay on Taking Revenge on Others, Introduction, Definition and Importance of Revenge

January 12, 2022 by Prasanna

Revenge Essay: The concept of revenge, its origin, manifestation, and negative impact on people and nations. Revenge is the hostile outcome of human emotion that drives someone to hurt or do harm to others in retaliation for a wrong act done to him. The urge for revenge mainly originates from anger, hatred, envy, and grief. People seek revenge when they feel they have been attacked and suffered loss or injury in an unjustified manner by someone individually or collectively. As a result, they feel powerless, humiliated, or ashamed.

Revenge is an extremely unhealthy expression of emotions that takes a psychological and physical toll on the sufferer. It may evoke initial pleasure and satisfaction from the sufferings of the offender, but in the long run, those who take revenge end up feeling even worse and distressed. Psychological studies have found that instead of diminishing hostility, revenge prolongs the bitterness of the original offense. Revenge refers to the action that brings justice for wrongdoing done to someone. But it costs suffering or pain to the person affected by revenge.

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Long Essay on Revenge 700 Words in English

Historical and Social Context

Revenge has been a part of our history and mythology from ancient times. In a conflict to gain power and positions, concerned parties indulged in acts of revenge. Revenge can lead people to do horrible things, whether it is a dispute between family and friends or a large scale of terrorism. Terrorism is an act of revenge between two parties involving hilarious acts that usually kill a lot of innocent people. Revenge is something that can be planned and executed in different ways. The feelings of hatred and ego force people to do something wrong to get satisfaction for an injury or insult received. In the past, revenge might have been considered justified to settle scores with enemies. But, the present human society, with its highly developed intelligence and capabilities, does not encourage such crude practices.

Psychology behind revenge

The motive behind taking revenge is to make the enemy repent for his actions by putting him in distress and suffering. Someone takes revenge to do the maximum possible damage to his enemy, while he is struggling with his loss. People can be provoked to take revenge on others under various circumstances. Although many aspects of revenge support the concept of justice, revenge has a more damaging focus rather than a restorative one. When someone has been treated wrongly, the thought of getting revenge seems so appealing to him, but in reality, it can cause too much damage. Some people take hostile steps being instigated by religious or political sentiments. They don’t care what the consequences can be as long as they get the satisfaction of harming those who they consider enemies. They get psychological relief or pleasure by seeing the suffering of others.

Damage to humanity

People consider they have the right to take revenge as a form of private justice for wrongs done to them. Revenge is not a worthy solution because it is a form of punishing someone rather than giving justice or making something equal. To bring equality, you only end up losing lives, property, and relationships. Nothing is accomplished by revenge, rather it allows the chain of pain and suffering that continue to never end.

Taking revenge on someone also causes them to retaliate and take revenge on you. This process keeps going as a cycle until it becomes a devastating outcome involving families, societies, or even nations. Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi pointed out that nothing can be gained from revenge and he stated that “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”. This quote represents the opinion that when everyone is involved in seeking revenge, there will be an end to humanity, and the survival of society will be at stake.

Conclusion on Revenge Essay

Revenge is a part of human nature that all people can relate to. So writers often use it in literature as a central theme. Revenge can easily be an attractive theme for a novel or movie because it reflects on the dark side of human character. People’s opinions on revenge may vary, some may think it is justified and some don’t. People, who think of taking revenge, are likely to feel guilty and regretful afterward. One might feel hurt or betrayed for time being but eventually, he may be able to put those feelings behind and avoid the possibility of further suffering. By taking revenge, you also instigate the person taking revenge on your wrongdoing and the cycle continues. Getting caught in a loop will only cause you further pain and agony. One can find a much better way of channeling the energy to move forward in a positive direction. Try to ignore the people who bring you down in the past, as they are not worth your time and energy.

Short Essay on Revenge

Revenge is the act of causing damage to another person or community by some individual or group because they believe they are being hurt unjustly by the other. The mentality is doing the same wrong things that have been done upon you. The feelings that ignite the desire for revenge are grief, humiliation, anger, and hatred. Some people take things too personally that hurt their ego so they want to harm the person or community who contradicts them. This is mostly based on religious and political sentiments while claiming superiority in the game of power and position. But people often forget that things can be turned the other way round and all have to pay the price for doing harm and causing pain to others.

Revenge is not a justice

Revenge is an idea we are acquainted with through history, mythology, and other literary works. It is also a common theme for novels and movies to make them more interesting to readers and audiences. In many cases, the act of revenge is glorified or justified by showing the superiority of an individual or community over others. It portrays revenge as a way of giving justice in someone’s terms, using power and authority. It is not primarily about justice but only affirming someone’s right to retaliate against some wrong done to them, which is not right. The idea of revenge when spread among a large part of a community, it leads to terrorist acts causing harm to a huge number of people with loss of innocent lives.

An act of revenge may give an initial psychological relief by temporarily suppressing the grief and anger but sows the seed of bitter feelings in the society which stays much longer. The best way to get back on someone who hurt you is to improve yourself, develop capabilities and achieve something worthy. Instead of being vindictive or aggressive, you may consider the other person as an unimportant part of his life journey who can be ignored. This is also a form of revenge causing no harm to anyone but developing a sense of forgiveness and positivity.

FAQ’s on Revenge Essay

Question 1. What is revenge?

Answer: Revenge is the action of hurting or harming someone in retaliation to a grievance or suffering caused by them.

Question 2. What is an example of revenge by terrorism?

Answer: The destruction of the twin towers in the USA was a terrorist act of revenge done by a group.

Question 3. Does revenge generate any positive outcome?

Answer: Revenge doesn’t lead to any positive solution but rather traps people in the loop of bitter feelings that result in more retaliation and suffering.

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Essay on Revenge

Students are often asked to write an essay on Revenge in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Revenge

Understanding revenge.

Revenge is when someone hurts you and you want to hurt them back. It’s a strong feeling that can make people do bad things. It’s like a fire inside you that burns until you do something about it. It’s not a good feeling and can make you feel worse.

Why People Seek Revenge

People often seek revenge when they feel wronged. They feel hurt and think that hurting the person who hurt them will make them feel better. They want to make the other person feel the same pain they felt. But, this doesn’t usually work.

Effects of Revenge

Revenge can make a situation worse. It can start fights and make people hate each other. It doesn’t solve the problem, it just makes more problems. It can also make you feel bad about yourself. It’s better to talk about your feelings instead.

Alternatives to Revenge

Instead of seeking revenge, try to forgive. Forgiveness can help you feel better and move on. You can also talk to the person who hurt you and tell them how you feel. This can help you understand each other better and solve the problem.

250 Words Essay on Revenge

Revenge is a strong feeling that makes a person want to hurt someone who has caused them pain. It is a common reaction when someone feels wronged or treated unfairly. Revenge can be seen in many ways, like fights between friends, wars between countries, or even in stories and movies.

The Cycle of Revenge

The problem with revenge is that it often leads to a cycle. This means that one act of revenge leads to another, and then another. For example, if a person hurts you, and you hurt them back, they might want to hurt you again. This can go on and on, causing more pain and damage.

Revenge and Emotions

Revenge is often driven by strong emotions like anger and hatred. These feelings can cloud a person’s thinking, making it hard for them to see the right thing to do. This is why revenge often leads to bad choices and actions.

Instead of seeking revenge, it is better to seek justice. Justice is about making sure that the person who did wrong faces the right consequences. This is usually done by the law. It is also important to learn to forgive. Forgiving does not mean forgetting the wrong that was done. It means choosing to let go of the anger and pain, and moving on.

In conclusion, revenge may seem like a good idea when we are hurt. But it often leads to more harm than good. It is better to seek justice and to learn to forgive. This way, we can break the cycle of revenge and live in peace.

500 Words Essay on Revenge

What is revenge, why do people seek revenge.

People often seek revenge because they feel hurt, angry, or betrayed. They believe that making the other person suffer will help them feel better. This feeling can be very strong, especially if the person who hurt them did something really bad. It’s like a fire burning inside them that can only be put out by getting revenge.

Does Revenge Solve Problems?

Although revenge might seem like a good idea at first, it usually doesn’t solve any problems. In fact, it often makes things worse. When you hurt someone because they hurt you, it can start a cycle of hurt that goes back and forth without end. This can lead to more pain and suffering for everyone involved.

Revenge and its Impact on Relationships

Instead of seeking revenge, there are other ways to deal with hurt and anger. One way is to talk about your feelings with the person who hurt you. This can help you understand each other better and might even lead to an apology. Another way is to forgive. Forgiveness is not about letting someone off the hook for what they did. It’s about letting go of your anger and hurt so that you can move on. It’s about choosing peace over pain.

In conclusion, revenge is a strong feeling that comes from being hurt or betrayed. While it might seem like a good idea at the time, it often leads to more problems than it solves. It can harm relationships and create a cycle of hurt that is hard to break. Instead of seeking revenge, it is better to talk about your feelings, try to understand the other person, and choose forgiveness. This way, you can move on and find peace instead of staying stuck in anger and hurt. Remember, revenge might seem sweet at first, but it often leaves a bitter taste in the end.

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Essay Samples on Revenge

Revenge, at its core, is the act of seeking retaliation for a perceived injustice or harm. It stems from a primal human instinct to restore balance and redress wrongs. The desire for revenge often emerges from feelings of anger, betrayal, or a sense of injustice, compelling individuals to take matters into their own hands.

In the realm of literature and mythology, revenge has been a recurring theme, inspiring some of the most memorable characters and stories. From Shakespeare’s Hamlet seeking vengeance for his father’s murder to Alexandre Dumas’ iconic Count of Monte Cristo plotting his elaborate revenge scheme, these tales exemplify the enduring fascination with the intricate workings of retribution.

How to Write an Essay on Revenge

When crafting an essay on revenge, it is essential to explore the various dimensions and consequences of this primal urge. You may examine the psychological toll revenge takes on individuals, the ethical considerations surrounding acts of revenge, or the societal impact of perpetuating cycles of violence in revenge essay example.

Furthermore, consider exploring the ways in which revenge has been depicted in different cultural contexts. Analyze the rituals and codes of honor in ancient civilizations, such as the concept of an eye for an eye in Hammurabi’s Code, or the vendettas of medieval Europe. Additionally, examine how revenge is portrayed in contemporary media, including films, television series, and literature, and the influence it has on popular culture.

To make your revenge essay compelling and well-rounded, draw from a variety of disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, philosophy, and literature. Incorporate relevant theories and concepts, such as Freud’s concept of the “repetition compulsion” or Nietzsche’s exploration of the will to power.

Explore our collection of meticulously curated revenge essays, which encompass a wide range of perspectives, historical analyses, and literary interpretations.

The Power of Revenge, a Virtuous, Ethical and Principled Man I

Sanctimonious hypocrisy, causing one to commit an even greater wrong than the one they seek vengeance for, consumes them with the desire for revenge. Caused by the desire to seek vengeance and punish someone who has caused internal or external pain to one or someone...

• Ethical Dilemma

Form of Abuse, Bully or Revenge or Domestic Violence

The essence of the word “pornography” is obtained from the Greek language, i.e. “Porne and graphos”. The word “porne” comes from the meanings, a captive who is a female or a harlot or a prostitute. While the word “graphos” is “writing with regard to” or...

• Domestic Violence

Motivation Of People Seeking For Revenge

People tend to become extremely motivated in the pursuit of seeking out revenge on others for various reasons. From something mediocre to an extreme. Revenge is the forceful desire to inflict hurt or harm to another for a wrong suffered at their hands or just...

The Powers Of Revenge And Forgiveness

The novel A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, is a memoir about himself, sharing his harrowing experience as a child growing up and his struggle for survival in Sierra Leone. The unthinkable happened in his village, Mattru Jong. The civil war occurred out of...

• A Long Way Gone

Representation of the Theme of Revenge Through the Characters in Beowulf

In the epic poem Beowulf, there is one prominent way that virtually every major character can be compared: the actions that they take against one another are caused by a desire for revenge due to events in the past. Each of the three primary monsters...

• Beowulf Hero

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Revenge and Injustice in King Lear's Society

In William Shakespeare's renowned tragedy, King Lear, the theme of revenge against society is explored through the character of Edmund. As the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, Edmund is often belittled and mistreated due to his birth. This mistreatment fuels his bitterness towards...

Exploration of the Theme of Revenge in Shakeapeare's Play Hamlet

Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, is renowned for its compelling exploration of the theme of revenge. Through the character of Hamlet himself, Shakespeare delves into the complex and multifaceted nature of revenge, showcasing its psychological and moral implications. This essay examines how Shakespeare skillfully portrays revenge in...

• Hamlet Revenge

The Destructive Nature of Revenge in Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare delves into the theme of revenge and its impact on the characters, particularly Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Macduff. The story shows how revenge serves as a powerful motivator that ultimately leads to tragic consequences. This essay aims to explore...

• William Shakespeare

Medea Occur Without Just Explanation

Many actions in Euripides’ Medea. The psychology behind these actions appear unpredictable, but still control key parts of the play. The play begins with a heartbroken Medea, angry and depressed because her husband, Jason, has left her for a new bride. However, the rage Medea...

Best topics on Revenge

1. The Power of Revenge, a Virtuous, Ethical and Principled Man I

2. Form of Abuse, Bully or Revenge or Domestic Violence

3. Motivation Of People Seeking For Revenge

4. The Powers Of Revenge And Forgiveness

5. Representation of the Theme of Revenge Through the Characters in Beowulf

6. Revenge and Injustice in King Lear’s Society

7. Exploration of the Theme of Revenge in Shakeapeare’s Play Hamlet

8. The Destructive Nature of Revenge in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

9. Medea Occur Without Just Explanation

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Cover Story

The complicated psychology of revenge.

• Behavioral Science
• Biological/Neuroscience
• Evolutionary Psychology

A thirst for vengeance is nothing if not timeless. It is as classic as Homer and Hamlet, and as contemporary as Don Corleone and Quentin Tarantino; as old as the eyes and teeth traded in the Bible, and as fresh as the raid that took the life of Osama bin Laden. But while the idea of revenge is no doubt delectable — the very phrase “just desserts” promises a treat — much of its sugar is confined to the coating. The actual execution of revenge carries a bitter cost of time, emotional and physical energy, and even lives. That minute before revenge is savory, as the authors of the Science study recognized; but what about the days and weeks that follow?

In the past few years, psychological scientists have discovered many ways in which the practice of revenge fails to fulfill its sweet expectations. Behavioral scientists have observed that instead of quenching hostility, revenge can prolong the unpleasantness of the original offense and that merely bringing harm upon an offender is not enough to satisfy a person’s vengeful spirit. They have also found that instead of delivering justice, revenge often creates only a cycle of retaliation, in part because one person’s moral equilibrium rarely aligns with another’s. The upshot of these insights is a better sense of why the pursuit of revenge has persisted through the ages, despite tasting a lot more sour than advertised.

Keeping Wounds Green

Many early psychological views toward revenge were based on the larger concept of emotional catharsis. This idea, still widely held in the popular culture, suggests that venting aggression ultimately purges it from the body. But empirical research failed to validate the theory of catharsis, and some recent work contradicts it entirely. In a 2002 paper in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , APS Fellow Brad Bushman of The Ohio State University reported higher levels of aggression in people who had supposedly vented their anger than in those who had done nothing at all.

If cathartic activity fails to dissolve hostility in general, what is to say revenge will dissolve the anger caused by one offense in particular? That doubt laid the foundation for a recent series of tests led by Kevin Carlsmith of Colgate, who conducted the research with APS Fellows and Charter Members Timothy Wilson of the University of Virginia and Daniel Gilbert of Harvard. Wilson and Gilbert have often found that people make powerful mistakes when predicting how they will feel about something in the future; with Carlsmith, they asked whether people could be wrong about the expected emotional benefits of revenge as well. Perhaps revenge is sweet, or perhaps the words of Francis Bacon are more accurate: “A man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal, and do well.”

For the study, Carlsmith and his collaborators placed participants into groups of four and gave each a dollar, which they could either invest in a group pot or keep for themselves. To entice investment, the researchers promised to add a 40 percent dividend to the group total before redistributing the boosted pot among all four members. This created a classic experimental dilemma: what’s best for the group is for all four members to donate their dollar, but what’s best for the individual is to keep the dollar and also receive one quarter of the final pot distribution, which grows through the investments of the others — in other words, as the researchers put it, to be a “free rider.”

At the end of the trial, participants discovered that one member — secretly controlled by the researchers — had acted as a free rider. Some of the participants, called “non-punishers,” learned about this moral violation but were given no chance to do anything about it. Others, known as “punishers,” were given the chance to avenge the selfish behavior by reducing the earnings of the offender. (The decision to punish carried a small fee, to simulate the personal cost of revenge.) Both punishers and non-punishers rated their feelings immediately after the game, as well as 10 minutes later. A final group, dubbed “forecasters,” had no power to punish but recorded how they expected to feel if they could.

The findings were exactly as Francis Bacon had imagined: Punishers actually felt worse than forecasters predicted they would have felt had they been given the chance to be punishers. Punishers even felt worse than non-punishers, despite getting the chance to take their revenge. Ten minutes after the game, punishers continued to brood on the free rider significantly more than the others did — an “increased rumination” that prevented them from moving on, the researchers surmised. All told, Carlsmith and company concluded in a 2008 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , people erroneously believe revenge will make them feel better and help them gain closure, when in actuality punishers ruminate on their deed and feel worse than those who cannot avenge a wrong.

“I think uncertainty prolongs and enhances emotional experiences, and one of the things that avengers do unintentionally is to prolong the unpleasant encounter,” Carlsmith says. “Those who don’t have a chance to take revenge are forced, in a sense, to move on and focus on something different. And they feel happier.”

Delivering a Message

That most people fail to feel good after revenge does not mean revenge can never feel good. The hunt for this pleasant side of retribution has driven the recent work of German psychological scientist Mario Gollwitzer. “I think that taking revenge has generally a low chance of being successful or satisfying for the avenger,” says Gollwitzer. “I was interested in those instances in which revenge can be ‘sweet,’ and I wondered what it exactly is that makes revenge sweet for the avenger.” In the service of that interest, Gollwitzer has designed some beautifully elaborate experiments; after all, he says, it takes “careful calibration” to provoke a strong response from participants while remaining inside the ethical boundaries of institutional review boards. (How much more might  we learn about revenge, one can’t help but think, if researchers were allowed to murder a participant’s father and marry the mother?)

Gollwitzer has explored two theories for why revenge could be satisfying. The first is known as “comparative suffering,” the idea that simply seeing an offender suffer restores an emotional balance to the universe. If this were the case, then victims of wrongdoing who learn of an offender’s misfortune should feel equally satisfied whether or not they were personally responsible for that misfortune. The second theory — the “understanding hypothesis” — holds that an offender’s suffering is not enough, on its own, to achieve truly satisfactory revenge. Instead, the avenger must be assured that the offender has made a direct connection between the retaliation and the initial behavior.

Other studies might have stopped there, but Gollwitzer took the additional step of giving avengers the chance to send their partner a message. The majority of those who chose to write this retaliatory note made reference to the injustice (“Sorry for taking tickets away, but unfortunately, you only cared about yourself,” one wrote). In response, the avengers then received one of two types of replies prepared by the researchers. Some of these, meant to test the revenge theory of understanding, acknowledged that the retaliation had come as a result of their selfish behavior. Other messages, meant to test “comparative suffering,” showed no such understanding and even expressed a little indignation over their reduced ticket total. To conclude the test, the researchers asked all participants to rate their level of satisfaction with the exchange.

The findings suggest that revenge can succeed only when an offender understands why the act of vengeance has occurred. Among participants who chose to avenge the selfish action, those who received a message of understanding reported much more satisfaction than did those who received an indignant response. In fact, the only time avengers felt more satisfaction than participants who took no revenge at all was when they received an indication of understanding. Put another way, unacknowledged revenge felt no better than none at all. Successful revenge is therefore about more than payback, the authors conclude in the April 2011 issue of the European Journal of Social Psychology ; it is about delivering a message.

“The finding that it is the offender’s recognizing of his wrongdoing that makes revenge sweet seems to suggest that — from the avenger’s perspective — revenge entails a message,” Gollwitzer says. “If the message is not delivered, it cannot reestablish justice.”

Your Justice or Mine

The reestablishment of universal justice certainly seems to be at the heart of revenge. In early 2001, a research team led by Cheryl Kaiser of Michigan State surveyed people for their belief in a just world by seeing how much they agreed with statements like “I feel that people get what they deserve.” After the September 11 attacks, Kaiser and colleagues returned to these people and assessed their responses to the event. In a 2004 issue of Psychological Science , the researchers reported that the more a person had believed in a just world before the attacks, the more this person experienced distress after them — and the greater this person’s desire for revenge.

The problem with a revenge structure based on rectifying injustice is that the definition of justice varies from person to person — and, even within a single person, from perspective to perspective. A few years ago, a group of researchers led by Arlene Stillwell of the State University of New York at Potsdam asked people to describe two events that had occurred in their lives: one instance in which they had responded to an offense with retribution, and another in which they had been on the receiving end of revenge.

Stillwell and her collaborators found that when people were avengers they believed their action had fairly restored equity to the relationship; when they were the recipients of revenge, however, they considered the payback excessive. This shifting viewpoint explains why revenge often occurs in endless cycles; no sooner did U.S. Navy Seals avenge September 11 by killing Osama bin Laden, for instance, than Al Qaeda vowed to seek revenge for his death.

“Successful revenge appears to make the avengers feel satisfied that equity has been restored, but in many cases the recipient of revenge will perceive the aftermath of revenge as marked by inequity and negative out comes,” Stillwell and her coauthors conclude in a 2008 issue of Basic and Applied Social Psychology . “The divergent perceptions of avenger and recipient will make it difficult to bring an end to the cycle of revenge in a way that both avenger and recipient will regard as satisfying, positive, and fair.”

Beyond Revenge

The long history of vengeance in art suggests a basic instinct for retribution ingrained in the human spirit. Indeed, recent facts largely confirm this age-old fiction: Revenge has been cited as a factor in one in five murders that occur in developed countries, and a report from 2002 found that between 1974 and 2000 three in five school shootings in the United States were driven by vengeance. At the lighter end of the spectrum, the popular urge for payback has inspired some business ventures. Rahm Emanuel reportedly once hired a company called Enough is Enough to avenge a polling error, and although a recent call to this business found it defunct, a newer outfit, Alibis & Paybacks, currently advertises its services in Los Angeles.

But if revenge tastes so bad to the person, why does it remain a favorite dish of the people? In response to this apparent contradiction, many psychological scientists have embraced an evolutionary explanation of revenge. Michael McCullough and Benjamin Tabak of the University of Miami, along with Robert Kurzban of the University of Pennsylvania, recently prepared a book chapter that outlines payback’s adaptive function. They argue that individual acts of vengeance serve as group announcements that certain behaviors will elicit retaliation. In other words, the purpose of revenge might be less about responding to one particular offense than about preventing several others.

Seen this way, revenge provides a great cultural benefit — leading to more cooperative, and therefore productive, societies — in exchange for its great personal costs. This larger function takes three forms, McCullough and his coauthors argue. The first is through direct deterrence. Simply put, revenge directly discourages an aggressor from subsequently performing the same offense. The second effect of revenge is indirect. By avenging specific actions, a person can establish a general definition of acceptable conduct and, in the process, avoid future confrontation. In this sense, reputation precludes revenge.

The third adaptive function of revenge goes beyond simple deterrence of negative behaviors and actually coerces beneficial ones. To understand this idea, says McCullough, it helps to envision life as an early human. Suppose in that existence you and a neighbor must take turns guarding your camps from jaguar attacks. If you fall asleep one night and the animal kills a neighbor’s child, this negligence, in the eyes of natural selection, is functionally similar to killing the neighbor’s child directly. The threat of revenge in response to such failed cooperation — a concept known as altruistic punishment — would entice you to stay awake (with the expectation, of course, that your neighbor will do the same on his watch).

Pervasive as this revenge instinct may seem, modern civilization can feel fortunate that resisting the urge to retaliate is even more common. The decision to forego vengeance is not necessary born of human kindness; on the contrary, the body may have evolved some type of internal scale that weighs the adaptive benefits of revenge against its various costs — from the potential for retaliation to the severance of important relationships. More often than not in today’s world, this scale tips in favor of forgiveness.

“You have to have some way of maintaining relationships, even though it’s inevitable some will harm your interests, given enough time,” says McCullough, who is also the author of Beyond Revenge: The Evolution of the Forgiveness Instinct (2008). “We think what has evolved is a secondary system” — the forgiveness instinct — “that enables people to suppress the desire for revenge and signal their willingness to continue on, even though someone has harmed their interests, assuming the person will refrain from doing so again in the future.” That might not be the most uplifting interpretation of how the brain governs human relations, but it is at least a relatively peaceful one.

Nice article, but the expression is “just deserts,” meaning getting what is just and what is deserved.

Actually it’s not “just desserts”, it’s “just deserts” ( http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/just-deserts.html for example). But I do like the idea of one’s natural reward or punishment coming in the form of a pudding 🙂

Excellent article. Amazing how some people cannot wait to point out the negative. “Deserts” or “Desserts”, the message is clear. Thank you for supplying information that I perceive will aid in composing my next psych paper.

I don’r know who you talked to who said they felt worse after revenge. I took my revenge and felt great! Relieved, vindicated.

Immediately after the act of revenge there will be an overwhelming sigh of relief……this is immensely therapeutic for your emotional well-being. Moreover, revenge is an unequivocal deterrent to future wrong- doings. Only consequential people resort to revenge (of course within the legal framework). The revenge of Gengis Khan on the Persian empire epitomizes such consequentiality. As Shakespeare wrote: If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?, If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?

From personal experience, I can say that revenge feels incredibly good, and the effect lasts for as long as the memory. The only thing that can make the pleasure of revenge end is the discovery that it was all an illusion. God has put in each and every one of us the capacity to feel otherworldly pleasure from revenge. God truly is Just.

From reports here, it seems that there are people who feel that they gain a lasting satisfaction from revenge. However that doesn’t counter the finding that a large number of others do not obtain such satisfaction. And a key issue is whether revenge supplies a necessary and effective deterrent against future action. The Hatfields and McCoy’s didn’t find that to be the case and eventually abandoned the strategy.

Unfortunately this report doesn’t address the possibility of un-vengeful retribution. If you make signs of repeating an attack on me I might take action to prevent that without having the intention of revenge, but of simply defending my future well-being.

I’m going to be honest, i’ve been contemplating revenge for over a year now, and i’m not religious, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the thought of revenge is poison to the mind. I’ve been obsessing over it, and i’ve been wanting the person who wronged me, and doesens of other people to die. But now that i really think about it, I don’t think revenge is the answere. My friend Liam was murdered by his own brother, and I wanted so badly to pay him back, but then I realised that if i continued down that path, then I would end up being just as cruel as Liams brother. So I honestly believe that revenge isn’t a healthy outcome for any situation. Would I take revenge if the oportunity prevented itself, I don’t know. What scares me, is I think i would , but in the end, I hope i don’t. And I guess it depends on the person, but if I took revenge, then I think it would make me feel worse, not better.

Not acting to have justice in the world makes you feel like a helpless victim, and causes future suffering. You must take revenge in order to have self respect.

For anyone who has not sinned, let them cast the first stone. Mercy has its place, but not at the expense of a world where you cannot thrive.

As I indicated above, there is no substitute for the sweet revenge. If you wish to be identified as a “consequential” human being you must resort to revenge if you are wronged. Believe me, God never avenges you….there are numerous historical examples of this. I disagree with the concept that God has created everybody equal. On the contrary, we each have a different “genetic makeup”, which influences our judgment and decision making. Do not hesitate to take revenge, by interrupting the cycle of viciousness. Do not wait for the next world to avenge you. Of course, any act of revenge should be incessant and relentless, albeit, within legal boudaries.

I hate revenge and feel stressed and ill if I am being nasty to people: I have wondered if Freud did not feel sexuality in his childhood and therefore thought all children do, overt sexuality as in counscious, still if he did nor did not the ideas that stem from such cconsideration of childhood sexuality seem to me very valid for all, some of them do, i wonder if he did not get children who had been abused and decide they were fantasying about sex so tha tpart of his talk does not seem real to me.Talking of sex so a tremendously astute proceedure for a person who wanted to get psycology thought changed, who wanted people to revamp ideas on it. I did not feel any thing sexual overtly in childhood. People are different, some feel good from revenge and some don’t it seems. Could feeling good after revenge have to do with what you expect to feel, what you have been taught you should feel. Suppose it could just depend on so many things. My finding in adult life is that peoples behavior, if you come to know their failies well, has much more to do with how they were educated than their “humors” to talk Shakespearian style psycology, choloric, phlegmatic etc. I have met shy people who turned out to be as they were because they come from a family who want dignified meadults as ofspring, what in childrens stories are lord mayor types, who dont talk or behave in a friendly sort of way or act in an amusing interesting one, their whole act being to show how seriousness they are, their families idea of seriousness being the aspect of it not the serious thoughts serious people have. They had always heard any extrovert behavior or minimally emotional behavior criticised and ridiculized by a parent or both, what child wants to be ridiculous? Their behavior is determined by their parents not their own tendencies to a greater degree than I had ever imagined as a youth. I tried terribly hard to cure shyness that turned out to be aloofness.

Interesting article and responses. I’m not sure quite where I fit in because the recipient of my revenge doesn’t know it was me, and I don’t want him to. He may suspect, but he doesn’t know for sure.

I exacted revenge on a man at work who sexually harassed me and put me through psychological trauma for far too long. I had asked him not to do what he was doing, but he did it again and again and was getting quite brazen because he knew I was weak. However, he miscalculated a little in choosing his victim. I snapped one day.

I submitted a formal complaint to management with documentation of times/dates/incidences, and he denied everything in his interview. I had some witnesses, but to my surprise he wasn’t fired.

Soon after I found out from an ex-employee that he had done something similar to her several years prior, and had received a warning and was forced to give her a formal apology.

This enraged me. One night, I woke up at 4am and suddenly remembered something I heard about him many years before. Some of his friends once whispered about his qualifications being fake. Had no idea whether or not it was true, but reported it high up, and suddenly he was gooooooooooone. Guess they checked, but they never confirmed or denied it. Wish I had thought of it earlier!

Quit the job after that ‘cos I was annoyed they didn’t back up female staff on two occasions that I know about. I am in a much better and safer workplace now.

The only thing I feel guilty about is my deep sense of satisfaction many months after the fact. I seem to be almost gloating (inwardly anyway) about it. Maybe that’s even why I posted here. Look what I did!

I feel that it must be wrong to feel so good about revenge almost a year after the fact. The pleasure gives me a warm flush in my stomach and I want to do a Mr Burns “Excellent!”.

I suppose I feel like I needed justice. My workplace wouldn’t give it to me, so I got my own. I don’t need this man to know about it. I just wanted to make him pay.

I have felt the need for revenge on many occasions, but always resisted knowing I would probably cool off after a few months, which is usually the case.

This one time though, I’m glad I did it.

I wonder if there is a psychological difference between two types of desiring revenge. Firstly, their is the obsession with revenge intent on maximizing harm to another individual, which some have mentioned seems to be poisonous and tends to ignore the boundaries of law and negative effects on self – a revenge totally focused on inflicting harm. Secondly, there is the more rational kind of revenge that seems concerned with self-preservation and community preservation – a revenge more concerned with a better future. I wonder if the later is the kind that some find satisfying whereas the former tends to be less satisfying.

Since my last comment, I have read the actual article, and the comments several times and I have become increasingly convinced that revenge on “nasty” people or systems is a sine-qua-non for a healthy psyche, and for a healthy society. Try it! It is our moral duty to retaliate against unjust systems or people who violate the very principle of social justice only to serve their own interests. Let us revenge now,and leave the next world to God. Based on my own personal experience, revenge is exceedingly and abundantly gratifying.

McCullough, Life is not that simple sir. As a physician people can gang up on you. Take a Doc like me 15 yrs of ED medicine, 13 yrs of psychiatric nursing with an Master’s degree., 5 years of Occupational medicine . With 5 degrees. I come into this Urgent care after 8 m thats how long it took. With Bullshit like well your start date is delayed and when I started they hired a PA and NP AHEAD me then said we over hired and fired me 1 month later.But that is not the reason my first da.y in epic training I was deemed disruptive. By the trainer I confronted as going to fast. Whom when I confronted said she felt I was criticizing her, I never got to evaluate her ..she reported me undercover to my director as disruptive well. Then when I met with the director one week later for orientation did she tell me? No, but she was rude and I thought what is going on here.I just got hired.The writing was on the wall. The borderline disordered obese female who felt critizied decided to pull a great one. That day in training there were 3 other people one was an expert, one said it did not apply to him and another psych nurse was acting weird and left and did not show up the next day accept to take a test. That left 3. Now this woman said I was so disruptive that people requested another day of training. All I ever did was raise my hand ask her to slow down, share an experience and shut my mouth . I was raised Catholic. I am PHYSICIAN AND LOST MY JOB

When the director did introductions at the Wed monthly meeting in front of everyone she said “I”d like you to meet our new provider Ben (he is a PA) and everyone knows him him he’s been there 2 months before me I just got there 3 weeks, then she says and ” of course “Dr..Klenow”. I thought I was going to die. Right there Little did I know behind the scenes was the negative comments from the Epic trainer.. that I was so called disruptive(what, who me a catholic girl?)

So I go home and and Email my director. Come to find out. The wrong thing to do. But Revenge right. Letting her know that her words have power. That they convey a meaning, that it may be taken in a group setting as perhaps well let me give you an example I would like to introduce you to our to our new provider: cheryl and ben versus Ben and of course…. that can be be taken either way.

So after my emails. She emailed me back for a meeting and who was there? HR and her and I was drilled and of course why then she said if I was your doctor well then HR said well it could be taken either way. Well, then the director said she went to everyone in that meeting and asked them what they thought ( so apparently she felt she had to be right) huh?Then that just places me in even a worse position with people. So after that what chance do I have . Then I am set up to work with the very people that were in that meeting a few days later. Then in that meeting she appoint a 25 yr PA to be Director of the Walk in Clinics. That weekend I have to work with her but believe me my experience of her prior to that was not a good one. First, 1. She was rude and abrupt, she did not even know I was suppose to orient with her. She was down right mean. She has a stance which is upright chest thrust forward and and unyielding attitude. She is a yes man AND COOK BOOKIE. jUST WHAT THE dIRECTOR ORDERED

This was the worst experience in my life worse than my breast cancer and chemo. I would rather go thru that again than what I went thru here and I really mean it. These people were the worst I have dealt with ever in any system anywhere ever, never, ever have I ever experienced this atrocity.

You have nothing to fear from me but what you should fear is the medical entity that does not supervise the young. I am of the ones that cannot fight nor want to. I forgive. I had platform here to air. I have a good life. The job was never meant to be from the day I filled the paper work out. I have a family I love. My only question to you to answer is:

What type of personality is irritated by a narcissist?

I put a tube down a man throat after he was stabbed in the neck, I got in just before his trachea shut, just in the nick of time.. know where I was … Bogalusa Louisiana Emergency room . St Tammany. I”ll never forget. that trachea.

or the man who life I saved

I was trained a as a surgeon

You need to see the magnificent movie titled (Count of Monte Cristo). It entices you to reciprocate when you are wronged by evil-minded people.

Great article. I learned and enjoyed it

A GREAT EXAMPLE OF RETRIBUTION IS THE STORY OF KING Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar of Persia who, as a child, was brutally castrated by his adversaries. He later became a consequential warrior, massacred his enemies, and founded the Qajar Dynasty. He was indeed an epitome of “vengefulness” and consequentiality. Unequivocally, he proved” what comes around goes around”.

The Church discourages us from resorting to revenge. The reason is clear…. Religion is designed to pacify people, in particular those who live under oppressive regimes. Hence, the heartless financiers and profiteers of such regimes will be at ease with their malevolent life styles!

I would like to ask ıs there any law or an item in law that justifies the revenege? which institution justifies revenge?

In response to Ms.Esma Birtek, revenge should be within legal boundaries”eg. power of words”. Illegal revengefull acts are committed by oppressive political regimes that hold a large population of prisoners often for financial or political gaines. Such massive incarcerations are underpinned by wicket laws ”, which are manufactured by such predatory regimes

In response to Ms.Esma Birtek, revenge should be within legal boundaries”eg. power of words”. Illegal revengefull acts are committed by oppressive political regimes that hold a large population of prisoners often for financial or political gaines. Such mass incarcerations are underpinned by wicket laws ”, which are manufactured by such predatory regimes

With revenge we reclaim that part of our soul that the other person took from us when they wronged us. So long as the crime remains unavenged our life force is supressed. After avenging ourselves we become complete again. Though of course in the Christian cosmos we are not allowed to embrace these triumphant feelings and move on. There is nothing wrong in taking revenge per se, after all the so called “justice” system is only legalized revenge. What concerns society is the preservation of its monopoly on violence, something that is treatened when people take retribution into their own hands. In truth the powerless in our societies do not have the means to to revenge themselves while the rich and powerful can indulge themselves all they want. Forgiveness for the wretched of the earth is simply an accomodation with their own powerlessness, it is a practical necessity, not a moral imperative.

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About the Author

Eric Jaffe is a regular Observer contributor and author of The King’s Best Highway: The lost History of the Boston Post Road, the Route That Made America (Scribner, 2010).

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Annual Review of Psychology

Volume 70, 2019, review article, revenge: a multilevel review and synthesis.

• Joshua Conrad Jackson 1 , Virginia K. Choi 2 , and Michele J. Gelfand 2
• View Affiliations Hide Affiliations Affiliations: 1 Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA; email: [email protected] 2 Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA; email: [email protected]
• Vol. 70:319-345 (Volume publication date January 2019) https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103305
• Copyright © 2019 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved

Why do people take revenge? This question can be difficult to answer. Vengeance seems interpersonally destructive and antithetical to many of the most basic human instincts. However, an emerging body of social scientific research has begun to illustrate a logic to revenge, demonstrating why revenge evolved in humans and when and how people take revenge. We review this evidence and suggest that future studies on revenge would benefit from a multilevel perspective in which individual acts of revenge exist within higher-level cultural systems, with the potential to instigate change in these systems over time. With this framework, we can better understand the interplay between revenge's psychological properties and its role in cultural evolution.

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66 Forgiveness Essay: Examples, Titles, & Thesis Statement

A forgiveness essay is an exciting yet challenging task. In our article, you can find good forgiveness essay examples in literature, history, religion, and other spheres

📝 Writing a Forgiveness Theme Statement

🏆 best forgiveness essay examples, 🔍 simple forgiveness titles for essay, 💡 interesting forgiveness essay examples.

In your forgiveness essay, focus on different aspects of forgiveness. Some good forgiveness titles for the essay reveal themes of revenge, justice, and personal forgiveness. You can write an excellent reflective or argumentative essay on forgiveness – it is a versatile topic.

Regardless of your forgiveness essay’s specific topic and type, you should develop a strong thesis statement. Below we will provide recommendations on making a good forgiveness theme statement. This will help you come up with a solid base and arguments to prove your position.

Check these tips to make a powerful forgiveness thesis statemen:

• Determine the primary idea. What are you trying to prove? Can anything be forgiven, or are there cases when it’s not possible? Introduce your one main idea and the angle from which you will look at it. You can also include some facts or opinions about the acuteness of the topic.
• Work out your argumentation. It is crucial to have a firm structure in your forgiveness essay. You need to support the thesis statement with several arguments and evidence to demonstrate the consistency of your paper.
• Think of the opposing views. Every argument has a counterargument. When working on your forgiveness theme statement, always keep an opposite thesis statement in mind. Having considered counter positions, you gain additional arguments for your position.
• Don’t quote others in your thesis statement. A thesis statement is the first and foremost chance to introduce your point of view. Use your own strongest words to reach a reader. This is where they get the first impression about the whole work.

We also have lots of other tips on developing A+ thesis statements. Check our free thesis statement generator to discover more information and get a perfect forgiveness theme statement.

• Christ’s Atonement and the Concept of Forgiveness This study will connect the atonement of Jesus Christ and attitudes towards forgiveness through the revision of the current church, Love and God’s commandment to forgive.
• Forgiveness and Reconciliation Critique Availability of literature; as stated in the literature though the area of forgiveness is new in the field of psychology, but there is enough literature to cover the study.
• Hamlet and Forgiveness: A Personal Reflection Some of the most prominent themes in the story are the ideas of mutual forgiveness, people’s motivation to be proactive and take risks, and their willingness to forgive and ask for forgiveness.
• Philosophy of Forgiveness I believe that if anyone had gone through all the pain and horror that Simon had, and was asked to forgive Karl, the instinct, and most humane reaction at that moment would be to strongly […]
• Service Recovery and Customer Forgiveness Studies suggest that after apologizing to customers plus taking responsibility for the problem, getting to the root of the problem is very important to prevent such occurrences in the future. Getting to the root of […]
• Racial Inequality Targeted Student Loan Forgiveness Programs The research into this topic seems highly significant as the reduction of racial inequality was one of the most debated topics in the U.S.for the last several decades.
• Forgiveness in the Christian Texts and the World Today The apostle calls upon the church’s people to stop the punishment of the wrongdoer and forgive, comfort, and affirm their love for him. It instructs Muslims to follow God and forgive others instead of following […]
• The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy After gathering the relevant data, the researchers compared the recovery of the participants to their controls to determine the effects of forgiveness therapy.
• Self-Forgiveness: The Step Child of Forgiveness Research Other than the similarities and the differences, the two types of forgiveness relate to each other as self-forgiveness facilitates interpersonal forgiveness, this is through allowance of one to identify with one’s offender.
• The Amish Philosophy of Forgiveness It is important to note that the immediate forgiveness of the enemy does not mean that the Amish will let the perpetrators of crime go free.
• Review: “Interventions Studies on Forgiveness: A Meta-analysis” by Baskin T. and Enright R. In the church, members come to the pastor with a variety of social and psychological issues. The first step the pastor should undertake is to sympathise with the victims.
• Self-Forgiveness as the Path to Learning to Forgive the Others The key issues that the given research responds to or, at least, attempts to solve, are the definition of self-forgiveness, the relation between self-forgiveness and interpersonal forgiveness, and the means to differentiate between self-forgiveness and […]
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Revenge - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Revenge entails retaliating against someone in response to perceived wrongs or injustices. Essays on revenge might explore its psychological underpinnings, moral implications, or its representation in literature, film, and history. Discussions could delve into famous revenge stories, the societal or personal consequences of seeking revenge, or the ethical debates surrounding retribution and justice. Analyzing different cultural or historical perspectives on revenge can provide a multifaceted exploration of human emotions, social norms, and justice systems. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Revenge you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Revenge is the Overarching Theme of the Play Hamlet

Revenge is a strange idea. It has been around since the dawn of time. An Eye for an eye, right? If someone hits you, you hit them back harder. In the play, Hamlet, William Shakespeare, Revenge is the overarching theme of the play. It shows what revenge can do to a person. Hamlet views revenge as a good deed: something that he must complete to avenge his dad. Revenge is binary, meaning it isn't only the act of revenge, there […]

Revenge and Foreshadowing in the Cask of Amontillado

"Edgar Allan Poe is a famous writer known for his thrilling short stories. One of his shorts, “The Cask of Amontillado” is most known for its intense and prevalent themes, including irony and foreshadowing. Foreshadowing in an element in the story is used to hint an event that will occur further along in the story. There are many types of Irony. One of these is dramatic irony, which refers to when a character thinks something is true, yet the audience […]

Edgar Allan Poe’s the Cask of Amontillado Essay

"Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado expresses enigmatic themes of desire and human complexity. The protagonist desires revenge on an acquaintance through premeditated murder. Although conversely, that is only on the surface. Montresor's needs and desires are that of something beyond vengeance. It is known that our narrator and protagonist Montresor, seeks vengeance against Fortunato for the insults and ""the thousand injuries"" he felt had been done to him. Although, Montresor never clarifies how Fortunato degrades him nor backs […]

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Frankenstein Revenge

In her novel ?Frankenstein?, Mary Shelley shows that both Frankenstein and his creature are obsessed with revenge through their strong emotional language and obsessive actions, yet neither of them wins and gets revenge in the end. After Victor Frankenstein is threatened by the creature after destroying his nearly complete bride, Frankenstein states that he “?burned with rage to pursue the murderer of my peace and precipitate him into the ocean. I walked up and down my room hastily and perturbed, […]

Lies, Revenge and Betrayal in Othello

Lies are extremely common in our society today, with millions of people masking their true intentions. In Shakespeare's play titled Othello, one of the characters, Iago, is no different and in fact the same as those deceptive individuals in society. Behind his act as a trustworthy friend, Iago is a manipulative and deceptive character creating disorder and causing many mishaps to occur. Iago uses many acts of manipulation to undermine every single character's weaknesses to get exactly what he wants, […]

William Shakespeare Titus Andronicus Vs. Alice Walker the Color Purple

"I will be contrasting William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus and Alice Walker's The Color Purple. I chose to contrast these works because they are completely different; they stem from different time periods, feature characters of different genders and races, and portray trauma and religion in uniquely different ways. I was especially interested in observing how their characters handle trauma, how they cope with it, and examining the changes in the Christian community during these different historical periods. Shakespeare wrote Titus Andronicus […]

Examples of Revenge in the Scarlet Letter

Often times we hear "What's good for the goose is what's good for gander," in other words, if one person committed a crime they should both be punished the same. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, he explores the sin of Hester Prynne and Author Dimmesdale. He reveals these two characters to show that staying hidden and suffering in silence is worse than being publicly humiliated. Although Hester has committed a serious crime (adultery), she wears her scarlet letter […]

Revenge and Justice in Wuthering Heights

"There is a blurred line between revenge and justice. Is revenge, justice? Is revenge, justified? The difference, may be nothing but a shuffling of the same words to make oneself feel morally sound. If we can agree on the idea that revenge is a feeling or act of retribution, and also that justice is no more than a ‘just’ act of retaliation, then we can begin to question the fine structure of moral values and how that affects the definition […]

With Love, Violence and Vengeance

Through the twisted minds of human nature, love is shown through acts of violence and vengeance committed by mankind. William Shakespeare's, Othello and Homer’s The Odyssey violence and vengeance are portrayed through jealousy, prejudice, justice, and honor. Their roles are woven throughout these books to portray the idea that love is a violent concept. Violence and vengeance can be found in several ways. It can be expressed physically, verbally, and mentally. Othello shows how envy and jealousy can overpower and […]

Revenge: a Tale of Guilt and Consequence

Dark Shadows of Revenge Every day it appears, I see a dark shadow tailing me wherever I go. Looking to revenge and demolish me. There is this dimness gradually crawling to drag me down to hell, taking every one of my breaths and voiceless shouts. I have comes to find that revenge is a short fulfilling inclination. How could I feel remorse? People often do things they are not pleased with, yet I have accomplished something unspeakable, and I have […]

Internal Conflict in Hamlet: the Inner Struggle of Revenge

Hamlet: A Masterpiece of Revenge Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays and is often regarded as one of the best works in the English language. The concept of revenge is one of the play's primary themes. William Shakespeare wrote the play Hamlet, which is about revenge. The main character, Hamlet, desires revenge for his father's death, but as the play progresses, he finds that revenge isn't as simple as it appears. The drama shows how revenge may […]

The Enigmatic Narration and Deceptive Layers of ‘The Cask of Amontillado’

“The Cask of Amontillado”, a short fiction story by Edgar Allan Poe, this particular story has a distinctive way of narrating without stating the obvious. Throughout the story readers are left to figure out what the author’s brilliant strategies in narrating the story and how the readers look at the characters are presented in the story. The Cask of Amontillado is a simple story of vengeance from the outside. However, the story takes an ironic way of expressing what’s the […]

The Play Hamlet: Revenge and Ophelia’s Madness

In the play, Shakespeare uses revenge as a main theme. To accomplish this theme, he had all three men seeking revenge at one time. Revenge is used in a way for all three men to express their feelings through anger and sadness. Anger can act in ways of corruption of plans, they may be changed or come out of hands when setting your mind in a negative mental state. Each son had a different way of seeking revenge. Their way […]

The Justification of Revenge and Unwillingness of Hamlet to Avenge his Father’s Death

Hamlet is a tragedy authored by William Shakespeare. The story tells of Hamlet, who is informed by the spirit of his father, that he has been murdered by Hamlet's uncle Claudius and his minions. Hamlet devises a plan to avenge his father against those who murdered him. His convoluted plot involves a theater play that is intended to prove and verify his uncle's guilt. He sets up the play to re-enact his father's murder with the actor resembling his father. […]

The Setting of “Wuthering Heights”: a Catalyst for Good and Evil Interactions

Introduction: The Yorkshire Setting Wuthering Heights, Emily Bonte's 1847 gothic novel, depicts the complex events induced by Heathcliff, a conceited man who loses his love, Catherine Earnshaw, and devotes the rest of his days to exacting revenge on her family. The novel setting is Yorkshire, a desolate region in remote Northern England. Wuthering Heights, a rough mansion, is a metaphor for the residents' irrational emotions and unkind actions. The dark environs of the mansion served as a focal point for […]

Greed in “The Pardoner’s Tale”: the Destructive Force of Wealth

As defined by Google, greed is an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. Greed is one of the most toxic and divisive characteristics in history. In the past, greed has led to the downfall of entire nations and can influence people to turn on even their loved ones.  The Pardoner's Tale Theme: The Lure of Greed In "The Pardoner's Tale," three friends are ultimately driven to betray each other by an intense lust for wealth […]

Nemo me Impune Lacessit’: the Drive for Justice in “The Cask of Amontillado”

Montresor's Quest for Justice: The Insult and Revenge Edgar Allan Poe created a theme surrounding many types of justice in "The Cask of Amontillado." I concluded that the theme would be justice by how Montresor sought revenge, in how justice was served, and that justice is finally served in Montresor's eyes. First, Montrsor is determined to get revenge on Fortunato for his wrongdoings. Poe States, "A thousand injuries of Fortunato I had Borne as I best could, but when he […]

A Modest Proposal Satire

Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is a work of satire that's still powerful and relevant today, even though it was published way back in 1729. In the essay, Swift suggests a shocking solution to Ireland's problems with poverty and too many people: eating babies. He takes on the role of a cold, logical economist who lays out the "benefits" of this idea in a disturbingly rational way. The essay is actually a sharp critique of how the British exploited Ireland, […]

Fahrenheit 451 Technology Analysis

Introduction Ray Bradbury's book, Fahrenheit 451, came out in 1953 and paints a pretty scary picture of the future. In this world, books are illegal, and "firemen" burn any they find. The story is mainly about how technology can mess with people, stop different ideas, and play with our feelings. This essay looks into how technology is shown in Fahrenheit 451, and what it means for society, personal freedom, and the right to think for ourselves. Technological Isolation In Fahrenheit […]

Echoes of Retribution: Understanding the Depths of Revenge

In the labyrinth of human emotions, revenge stands as an enigmatic force, its tendrils reaching into the depths of our psyche, stirring primal instincts and igniting fiery passions. Like a shadow lurking in the corners of our consciousness, it whispers tales of retribution and redemption, weaving a narrative fraught with complexity and contradiction. To unravel the essence of revenge is to embark on a journey through the intricacies of human nature, where the lines between justice and vengeance blur, and […]

Revenge: a Dish Best Served Cold

The adage "Revenge is a dish best served cold" conveys the notion that vengeance is most satisfying when it's delayed, calculated, and unexpected, rather than executed in the heat of anger. This concept, deeply embedded in cultural narratives, literature, and cinematic stories, often portrays such revenge as the epitome of justice. But this view simplifies the complex psychological and ethical dimensions that revenge entails. At its essence, the idea of cold revenge speaks to a fundamental human craving for justice […]

Additional Example Essays

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• A Literary Analysis of the Storm by Kate Chopin
• My Experience as Teacher
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• Technology Is A Useful Servant
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Of Revenge by Francis Bacon Summary

Of Revenge by Francis Bacon is a short but meaningful essay that carries the author personal views about the great upsurge of nowadays society that is “revenge”. Bacon starts the essay by calling revenge as animalistic behavior by using the words “wild justice” for it. By such contrast, he describes the whole picture of the animal and human life. The more one’s nature turns toward for taking revenge, the more he is taking the law into his hands. If one commits a crime or does some harm to anybody, he/she is offending and violating the law but when the victim counterattacks, it make the law of no use. The law is useless when a person tries to take revenge himself. Undoubtedly by taking revenge, the wrongdoer and the counter-attacker are equal and at the same level. There is no difference between both, apparently. Bacon highlights the point that revenge is totally against the law. By ignoring or forgiving the wrong done to one by other makes a person superior to other as it is the quality of kings and prince to forgive others. By forbearing others, one makes a respectable place in the society.

A person who is always in sickness to take revenge and searching for a good moment to take will keep his wound evergreen and will never let them cure. In such condition, the only loss is to the sufferer which would otherwise heal and move on and focusing more on his present and future than to remain buried in his past.

Of Revenge by Francis Bacon Literary Analysis

Bacon explains a logical argument for why should one look for to harm others? As one doesn’t go wrong for the wrong sake. To him, one might get some profit by harming others, or some pleasure like a sadist or to achieve some honor. If these could be the reasons to do wrong with others then one should not avenge them as you cannot hate someone because they love themselves more than you. Further, if someone is doing wrong because of their ill-nature then they are just like “thorns and briars that can only cut and scratch”. Forgive them, and move on.

Of Revenge Main Themes

Revenge: a wild justice:, private revenge is useless:, forgive, forget, and move on:, public revenge is fortunate:, more from francis bacon.

Don’t Confuse Revenge With Justice: Five Key Differences

Revenge can masquerade as justice, but it frequently ends up perverting it..

Posted February 6, 2014 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

The terms revenge and justice often get muddled. And that’s hardly surprising. In the course of history, the two have been frequently used interchangeably. You may even be familiar with the phrase “just revenge.” Still, as meanings alter and evolve over time, the connotations of these two words have increasingly diverged. It’s now uncommon to see them used synonymously. And doubtless, revenge has borne the brunt of the various semantic changes that have transpired.

Yet certain overlaps between—and ambiguities within —the two terms do exist. Before delineating the chief distinctions that can usefully be made to separate them, let me at least hint at what some of these inconsistencies might be.

It would be convenient to advance the claim that justice is fair and revenge is not. But as the words “just revenge” suggest, revenge—depending on its underlying conditions, motivations, and execution—might be either just or unjust, fair or (frankly) outrageously out of proportion to the wrong originally done. There seems to be equivocality tightly woven into the term that’s less perceptible in the related concept of justice. All the same, the well-known phrase “ miscarriage of justice” warns us to be careful about distinguishing between concepts that, finally, must be understood as both relative and subjective.

Although I believe that the differences between revenge and justice enumerated below generally hold true, I’d emphasize that they are generalizations, so you’ll probably be able to think of some exceptions. There are instances when revenge can legitimately be understood as a type of justice, and justice a kind of revenge. Moreover, as discrete as I’ve tried to make each of the five categories below, a certain amount of resemblance and repetition has been unavoidable. That is, my “dividing lines” may at times seem a bit arbitrary.

1. Revenge is predominantly emotional; justice primarily rational. Revenge is mostly about “acting out” (typically through violence) markedly negative emotions. At its worst, it expresses a hot, overwhelming desire for bloodshed. As perverse as it may seem, there’s actual pleasure experienced in causing others to suffer for the hurt they’ve caused the avenger, or self-perceived victim (cf. the less personal Schadenfreude).

Justice—as logically, legally, and ethically defined—isn’t really about “getting even” or experiencing a spiteful joy in retaliation. Instead, it’s about righting a wrong that most members of society (as opposed to simply the alleged victim) would agree is morally culpable. And the presumably unbiased (i.e., un emotional) moral rightness of such justice is based on cultural or community standards of fairness and equity. Whereas revenge has a certain selfish quality to it, “cool” justice is selfless in that it relies on non-self-interested, established law.

2. Revenge is, by nature, personal; justice is impersonal, impartial, and both a social and legal phenomenon. The driving impetus behind revenge is to get even, to carry out a private vendetta, or to achieve what, subjectively, might be described as personal justice. If successful, the party perceiving itself as gravely injured experiences considerable gratification: their retaliatory goal has been achieved—the other side vanquished, or brought to its knees. Just or not, the avenger feels justified. Their quest for revenge has “re-empowered” them and, from their biased viewpoint, it’s something they’re fully entitled to.

On the other hand, social justice is impersonal. It revolves around moral correction in situations where certain ethical and culturally vital principles have been violated. When justice is successfully meted out, the particular retribution benefits or protects both the individual and society—which can operate effectively only when certain acceptable behavioral guidelines are followed.

3. Revenge is an act of vindictiveness; justice, of vindication. The intense effort to avenge oneself or others can easily become corrupting, morally reducing the avenger’s status to that of the perpetrator. Two wrongs do not make a right and (ethically speaking) never can. Degrading another only ends up further degrading oneself. Even if a kind of justice might be served through an act of revenge, it could still be argued that there’s nothing particularly admirable or evolved in retaliating against a wrong by committing a “like” wrong. Or to behave vengefully is, at best, to take the low road to justice.

In opposition, justice is grounded in assumptions, conventions, and doctrines having to do with honor, fairness, and virtue. Its purpose really isn’t vindictive. That is, bloodthirstiness has no part—or should have no part—in precepts of justice, at least not in the way the term is presently employed. It’s based on established law, and its proceedings are designed to dispense to individuals precisely what is deserved: nothing more, and nothing less.

4. Revenge is about cycles; justice is about closure. Revenge has a way of relentlessly repeating itself (as in interminable feuds, such as the Hatfields and McCoys)—and ever more maliciously. Revenge typically begets more revenge. Whether it’s an individual or an entire nation, it takes place within a closed system that seems able to feed on itself indefinitely. Unlike tic-tac-toe, tit for tat is a game without end. One side gets satisfaction, then the other is driven to get its satisfaction, and then, theoretically, ad infinitum. There can be no resolution, no compromise. Each faction (say, Israel and Palestine) has its own agenda, its own sense of right and wrong. And the righteous rigidity of each side usually demands that some trusted outsider intervene if matters are ever to be settled.

Justice, in contrast, is designed (by individuals or officials generally not linked to the two opposing camps) to offer a resolution far more likely to eventuate in closure—especially if, in fact, it is just (equitable). And when justice is done so is the conflict that led up to it. Beyond that, punishments for wrongdoing carry an agreed-upon authority lacking in personal vengeful acts, which are calculated solely to “get back” at the assumed perpetrator. Technically speaking, so-called “vigilante justice” isn’t really justice, or social justice, at all—though at times it may appear to be. Taking matters into one’s own hands may sometimes seem justified, but it hardly meets the more rigorous criteria for consensual, or community, justice.

5. Revenge is about retaliation; justice is about restoring balance. The motive of revenge has mostly to do with expressing rage , hatred, or spite. It’s a protest or payback, and its foremost intent is to harm. In and of itself, it’s not primarily about justice but about victims’ affirming their inborn (but non-legal) right to retaliate against some wrong done to them.

And because it’s so impassioned, it’s typically disproportionate to the original injury—meaning that it usually can’t be viewed as just. The punishment may fit the crime , but it’s often an exaggerated response to another’s perceived offense.

On the contrary, justice is concerned with dispassionately restoring balance by bringing about equality—or better, equity. It centers on proportion as it equates to fairness. Not driven by emotion , restorative justice—meted out by a court of law—seeks to be as objective and evenhanded as possible. It’s not, as is so much of revenge, about doing the other side “one better” but about equitably—or properly—punishing wrongdoing. In fact, the ancient “law of the ‘talion’” (an ethical standard originating in Babylonian law and present as well in the Bible and early Roman law) focuses on what is commonly known (but, hopefully, only metaphorically!) as the “eye for an eye” conception of justice. In brief, the kind or magnitude of justice meted out is contrived to “correspond” as exactly as possible to the gravity of the original injury.

© 2014 Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.

NOTE 1: This post was designed to complement, or complete, my earlier post, "5 Biggest Problems with Revenge—and Its 3 Best Remedies."

Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. , is the author of Paradoxical Strategies in Psychotherapy and The Vision of Melville and Conrad . He holds doctorates in English and Psychology. As of mid-July 2024, Dr. Seltzer has published some 590 posts, which have received over 54 million views.

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Revenge and Social Conflict

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Book description

Revenge has been a subject of concern in most intellectual traditions throughout history, and even when social norms regard it as permissible or even obligatory, it is commonly recognised as being more counterproductive than beneficial. In this book, Kit R. Christensen explores this provocative issue, offering an in-depth account of both the nature of revenge and the causes and consequences of the desire for this kind of retaliatory violence. He then develops a version of eudaimonistic consequentialism to argue that vengeance is never morally justified, and applies this to cases of intergroup violence where the lust for revenge against a vilified 'Them' is easily incited and often exploited. His study will interest a wide range of readers in moral philosophy as well as social philosophers, legal theorists, and social/behavioural scientists.

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Revenge and Social Conflict pp i-ii

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Revenge and Social Conflict - Title page pp iii-iii

Copyright page pp iv-iv, contents pp v-vi, acknowledgements pp vii-viii, introduction pp 1-10, part i - the nature of revenge pp 11-118, 1 - revenge pp 13-27.

• What It Is and What It Isn’t

2 - A Little Natural History pp 28-49

3 - interpretations of harm, norms of personal response pp 50-88, 4 - groups as victims and avengers pp 89-118, part ii - the morality of revenge pp 119-269, 5 - revenge, punishment, and the state pp 121-151, 6 - the immorality of revenge, considering the consequences pp 152-175, 7 - some nonconsequentialist responses pp 176-206, 8 - war and vengeance pp 207-234, 9 - undermining vengeance, building sustainable peace pp 235-269, bibliography pp 270-279, index pp 280-290, bibliography, full text views.

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Definition of revenge

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

Definition of revenge  (Entry 2 of 2)

• venge [ archaic ]
• retaliation
• retribution

Examples of revenge in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'revenge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English, from Anglo-French revenger, revengier , from re- + venger to avenge — more at vengeance

Middle French revenge, revenche , from revengier, revenchier to revenge

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revenge

• Montezuma's revenge
• revenge oneself on
• seek revenge for
• take (one's) revenge

Dictionary Entries Near revenge

Cite this entry.

“Revenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenge. Accessed 22 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of revenge.

Kids Definition of revenge  (Entry 2 of 2)

More from Merriam-Webster on revenge

Nglish: Translation of revenge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of revenge for Arabic Speakers

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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Revenge — The Importance Of Revenge Unjustified

The Importance of Revenge Unjustified

• Categories: Revenge

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Words: 682 |

Published: Mar 14, 2024

Words: 682 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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