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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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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 […]

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 […]

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Revenge Essay: Example and Tips

Before we proceed to the revenge essay example itself, let us say a couple of words. The topic of revenge can be approached in different ways. If you don’t feel like going deep into your feelings and thoughts on that issue, you might choose analyzing some book, movie or story about revenge. Thus, we can think of several topics for different tastes.

Examples of topics for revenge essay

• Disclosure of the topic of revenge in Hamlet.
• “V for Vendetta”
• Attitude to revenge in different religions and cultures
• Sacred Fire of Revenge – example essay

Template of revenge essay example. Sacred Fire of Revenge

I’m not going to talk about what is right, revenge or forgiving the offenders and enemies, now I want to stop my attention only on consequences of this or that action. I think that in a person who is free in his soul, there must be a choice between revenge and forgiveness. That’s why you decide how you will live, whether you will revenge or forgive, but I will tell you about how both affect your psyche. The Bible teaches us to forgive, extolling it over the desire to take revenge, but does not say that a person who forgave an insult, is mentally suppressed, his inner strength leaves him every time he is forced to forgive because of the inability to do something. Many psychologists advise forgiving their enemies, debtors, abusers, thereby saving a person from the burden on the soul, and it really works, a person really feels easier. But this does not happen because he did something great, forgiving everyone, no, he just stopped looking for an opportunity to take revenge or return his money.

A person experiences anxiety not because he was offended, deceived or humiliated, but because he does not see an opportunity to get even for this, and also because his mind is nailed to the moment when he was “ill”. The sacred fire of vengeance, as far as I remember, these words belong to Al Capone, the Italian mafia, who understood that to forgive is to die slowly. But anxiety disappears with a sense of awareness that your time may come when you will make everyone pay you in full. Any spiritual uneasiness can be removed without any forgiveness, we must only believe in ourselves, and do not put up with defeat. Therefore, I do not support the idea of forgiving everyone for everything. If you approach the question of forgiveness in this way – forgive and you will feel better, then it is better for a person to go not to a psychologist, but to a priest.

Religion is the means that comforts the weak, and the Bible is the only guide to life for them. However, the way of a strong person does not allow forgiveness in any way, because the strength of a person depends, first of all, on the strength of his spirit, which is simply impossible when you constantly give up positions. An elementary example: if you were beaten and you forgave the abusers for this, you will bypass the place where this happened and be afraid of everyone who is trying to beat you. And this is because you do not know how you should behave in such a situation, you did not get revenge, which means you do not know what to do in such a situation. In addition, do not forget the main thing, the person who fucked you with impunity, will necessarily do it again, and will do so until you allow it to him. This is a law of nature, there are no moral aspects, this is our psychology.

Revenge is what allows you to take away from someone who owes you. You just do it and that’s it, you should not have any personal attachments, you regain that inner strength and confidence that you were once deprived of. Here the main thing is not to lose your head, revenge is a dish that is served coldly on the table. It does not matter when and where you get revenge, if you are determined to do it, you will find the opportunity for revenge. Maybe it will not give you anything, maybe you will not return what you lost, but you will regain self-confidence, you will do justice, you will not regret what you did not do, for it is completely pointless to regret what has been done. And in the end, you die a strong man, even if you did not get revenge, but did not accept and did not forgive, you are a strong person. And whether it is right or not, nature has created us so that we just have to correctly understand our essence, and not be guided by the arguments of others, same humans as we are. I do not know how to act properly, I just argue from the point of view of a person who analyzes the behavior and nature of a human being.

I forgave and took revenge in my life, and I do not regret anything. I do what I think is necessary to do, as I am an adult, aware of my actions and ready to bear responsibility for them. I advise you to adhere to the same position. The main thing is not to forgive just because you can not take revenge. And if you do not want to forgive, and do not want to take revenge, then you kill yourself, you paint your own hand in your own impotence, take the position of a weak person, and this will not give you rest all your life. Not taking revenge is just a physical phenomenon, this is the pumping of the psyche, this is a state of mind and soul. A person who committed evil in relation to you, took away your strength given to you by nature, and possibly by God, and you have the right to return it back. I know what a man who has forgiven feels, and he who has a hope of revenge. The latter has much more vitality than the one who has reconciled. Therefore, friends, draw conclusions, if you have big plans for life, you simply can not afford the luxury of forgiveness. Maybe, you find my words unpopular but I’m honest about how I feel.

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Exploring the Facets of Revenge

Revenge is a complex notion with many facets and not an easy subject to discuss. However, investigating and understanding this challenging topic may prove to be an important endeavor. This book contains the proceedings from a conference on revenge, covering themes that vary from revenge in history and society, to philosophies of revenge, to revenge in literature and many subjects in between. Each one of the authors contributes ideas to the study of revenge, its meaning and its motivations. The papers on the philosophy cover thoughts from Bacon, Nietzsche and Bataille on the concepts of revenge. The papers on the history of revenge showcase prominent wars and legal systems that formed ideas of revenge on a national level. The papers on revenge in society examine how revenge creates social norms, and therefore, influences peoples' behaviour. Finally, the papers on revenge in literature discuss how prominent authors write about revenge, partially as a reflection of their times, and partially as a reaction against their times. Though this study is by no means complete, it forms a solid foundation upon which more research into the topic of revenge may rest.

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Read below our study guide on Of Revenge by Francis Bacon summary and analysis.

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.

By quoting Salomon, a wisest Jewish philosopher, Bacon designates the quality of wise men that a secret of their glory is they always ignore the wrongs from others. To him, wise men don’t think about past. For what is done, is gone that cannot be changed. But the wise men focus on the present and they learn through their previous experiences and apply them in the present. Why should one care about the past as they have much to do about present and future? Forgive, forget, and move on.

Bacon interestingly illustrates that why will a person do wrong to someone? What could be possible reasons behind? Is he/she doing wrong for the sake of wrong? If so, then why? The answer is given by bacon himself. One doesn’t do wrong with others for the sake of wrongs but to gain and acquire himself certain profit ( that could me of money or something else), or a particular pleasure (just like a sadist enjoys sufferings of others), or it might be to avail some respect and honor, or could be anything like that. Bacon, then, argues that why should I become mad at a person who loves himself more than me? This is then not a well-to-do workout to do. And if a person does wrong because it is his nature then these people are like “thorn” and “briar” (bushes) which can only puncture and cut. So, let them do, don’t complain.

Bacon, moreover, points out that if one makes himself engross in revenge that has no legal remedy, “the most tolerable sort of revenge”, then the one looking to avenge should make sure that there is no rule or law to rebuke him. Bacon suggested that the person taking revenge should make his enemies informed as it might make the opposition party repent. It is more delightful to make one repent than to hurt. But if you take revenge silently by not provoking them, you will be a coward which is like an arrow that could hit anyone in the dark.

Bacon extends his argument about the wrongs that cannot be pardoned. These wrongs usually come from our beloved friend, as one can forgive the enemy form whom we can expect such wrongs but these sort of friend are like snakes who stabs at your back and doesn’t give you a moment to understand what they have done to you. The author quoted the Cosmos, the Duke of Florence that we have read that we are commanded to forgive our enemies, but we have never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. But still, bacon says, we should not be so much inclined toward avenging them. As we are satisfied to take all good deeds from God but why are we not happy to take evil from him, too? So, we should forgive even our friends and consider them an evil from the God.

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.

Bacon, lastly, ends the essay by arguing that public revenge, on the most past for bad leader or rules is fortunate. He gives examples of the public death of Caesar, Partinax (a Roman emperor), and Henry the Third of France. In public act of revenge, there is a huge lesson for the public and rest of people as it set an example for other while the private revenge, on the other hand, makes a person, who nourishes evil desires for others, to live a life of witches. Such life is full of rascal so they end, unfortunately.

Of Revenge by Francis Bacon Literary Analysis

In the essay, of Revenge, Bacon presents the extremely reasonable argument contrary to the private revenge and recognizes “public revenge on the most part is fortunate”. He calls revenge a “wild justice”. Such contrast is made by him to show the animalistic nature of revenge. It is characteristic of an animal to avenge not of humans as they are entitled to forgive and show compassion to fellow beings. Bacon’s essays are characterized as brief but highly comprehensible. Just as by a single statement of wild justice, he presents the whole picture of human and animal life.

Moreover, Bacon argues that the first wrong is overseen by law, but avenging it is out of the law. To avenge is a distortion of the law.

This essay appeals to one’s wisdom of ethical supremacy when the author points out that the wise man is the one who ignores the wrongs of other done to him as he has much more to do in present and future rather than considering his past matters. As wrongs in the past cannot be changed because they are irrevocable, one should move on.

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.

By taking revenge, Bacon argues, one takes the law into his hands. Law becomes useless if one tries to take revenge. But such type of revenge is bearable which has no lawful remedy. One should make sure, Bacon warns, that there is then no law to punish. Along with this, one should make the opposition informed before avenging them. This might make them sorry which is more worth than harming them.

We can forgive the wrongs done by enemies because we expect them to do so, but what about the wrongs that are done to us by our beloved friend, are such wrongs forgivable? Bacon seems to change his opinion against taking revenge by quoting Cosmus, the Duke of Florence, that we are commanded to forgive enemies but we are never commanded to forgive friends. But immediately after this he quotes Job and stands upon his argument that ‘we are satisfied and happy to take all goods from God than why we are not happy to take all evil’? Such friends should be considered as evil from God and shouldn’t be avenged.

Bacon is totally against private revenge but suggests that public act of revenge are for the most part fortunate as it set an example for all. On the other hand, private revenge is unfortunate. The person who takes revenge lives a life of witches and his wound never heals.

Of Revenge Main Themes

Following are the main theme of the essay Of Revenge.

Revenge: A Wild Justice:

“Revenge is a kind of wild justice”, Bacon argues. Wild justice symbolizes animalistic behavior. Animals don’t have any rules and regulation nor do they have any law to maintain order in their society. So they are inclined towards taking revenge. While, on the other hand, human society has a law to regulate human behavior. They shouldn’t be inclined towards avenging others like animals. By doing so they are taking the law into hands and in such cases the law is useless.

Private Revenge is Useless:

Private revenge is unfortunate and useless as by avenging others one takes the law into his hands. One should consult law to take revenge. The revenge for that wrongs is tolerable and fortunate which has no lawful remedy. If there is law then it’s unfortunate. The one who is always in search of the moment to take revenge is the most unfortunate person as his wound are evergreen and lives a life of witches.

Forgive, Forget, and Move on:

Bacon’s argument about revenge highly appeals to one moral and ethical sense of supremacy. According to him, the wise man is the one who forgives others and concentrates on his present and future than on past. Since the wrongs done in past is gone and irrevocable so, it is useless to live in past. Just forgive, forget, and move on.

Public Revenge is Fortunate:

Bacon argues that public act of revenge on the most part are fortunate as they set examples for others. Bad leaders should be punished publically and in the worst way so that other learns a lesson from it and avoid doing such acts.

More From Francis Bacon

• Of Adversity
• Of Ambition
• Of Discourse
• Of Followers and Friends
• Of Friendship
• Of Great Place
• Of Marriage and Single Life
• Of Nobility
• Of Parents and Children
• Of Simulation and Dissimulation
• Of Superstition
• Of Goodness and Goodness of Nature

CBSE Library

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

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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Home / Prose / Francis Bacon / Of Revenge by Sir Francis Bacon | Summary and Critical Analysis

Of Revenge by Sir Francis Bacon | Summary and Critical Analysis

“Of Revenge” as the name suggests is about a revengeful person, who thinks to take revenge from an enemy. Sir Francis Bacon, in a didactic tone, talks about merits and demerits of revenge. The essay is full of wisdom but it is of a strange kind. He gives examples from the past, quotes opinions of philosophers and uses allusions to clear his point of view. This essay although has morality yet it is limited to worldly wisdom. He also uses similes , metaphors , and illustrations so that his readers can better understand his message. He puts the pros and cons of taking revenge. Sir Francis Bacon explains some situations, in which revenge is allowed. He also elucidates why people harm others. Let us see what else he has to say to his readers.

Revenge and its Cons: Views of Sir Francis Bacon:

He starts his essay while saying, “Revenge is a kind of wild justice”. He believes that revenge comes in the category of justice but it is certainly rough kind of justice. Firstly, Sir Francis Bacon tries to convince every revengeful person not to take revenge but if someone has decided to take it then he should adopt a legal method. In his eyes, breaking the law is not a rational act. Moreover, a person should do his best to forget the bad deeds of his enemy; by doing so, he will get two benefits; one of them is moral superiority. Forgiveness makes a person noble. He quotes the wise words of Solomon, who said, “It is the glory of a man to pass by an offence.” Secondly, a loss is loss forever. Revenge cannot recover a loss.

Moreover, wise men do not think about past; they concentrate on the present and future. Sir Francis Bacon considers a person unwise if he remembers worst days of the past to take revenge. Moreover, it is a fruitless effort.

Why People Harm Others?

There are certain reasons due to which people harm others; “profit”, “pleasure”, “honour”, “or the like”. Some people harm others to make financial gain; some do it to pleasure themselves or their near and dear ones; whereas some do it to get the honour. All these acts show the selfishness of a person. If a person is selfish then not everyone should follow him. Sir Francis Bacon here suggests that a revengeful person should ignore him. He does not need to keep a selfish person in his mind for the whole life as by doing so, he just wastes his time. There is also another reason due to which people harm others; “ill-nature”. If a person is of ill-nature, then it is better to ignore him. Bacon calls him “thorn or briar, which [only] prick[s] and scratch[s]”. He cannot damage a person at the largest level; therefore, there is no need to think about an ill-natured person.

In Which Situation, a Person Can Take Revenge?

There is a situation when a person can take revenge from his enemy. Where the law does not provide any remedy a person can take revenge. However, precautions should be kept in mind. Firstly, he should keep in mind that law does not go against him. Otherwise, he will still be at disadvantage as compared to his enemy. Moreover, identity should be revealed while doing any harm to an enemy. The true meaning of revenge lies in seeing the miserable condition of the victim. Revenge completes only in case the enemy repents on his wrongdoings. He should know that why harm is being done to him; and it is possible only if the revengeful person has revealed his identity to his enemy. A person who does not reveal his identity while taking revenge is a coward in the eyes of Sir Francis Bacon.

Anyone Is Pardonable but Not friends:

Francis Bacon has deeply studied “Cosmus, Duke of Florence” and “Job”. He quotes their words. Dosimo de Medici (Cosmus) has said that anyone is forgivable but a traitorous friend. It is unwise to pardon treacherous and unfaithful friends. Job, on the other hand, thinks the opposite. He has said that if a person obtains benefits from friends then he should forgive them for their misconducts. Bacon supports Job in this regard while saying that “But yet the spirit of Job was in a better tune”. Here too, readers can witness the worldly wisdom of Sir Francis Bacon. If a person gets favours from his friends then it is necessary for him to ignore the disloyalty of his friends.

Why Revenge is Harmful?

First of all, it wastes time. Secondly, it keeps vengeful person’s wounds fresh. Thirdly, it mentally tortures him as he always thinks of doing harm to his enemy; therefore, he lives a miserable life. Bacon calls this kind of life “the life of witches”. However, there are some revenges, which are necessary to be taken. Sir Francis Bacon named them “public revenge s”. He supports his assertions by referring a “public revenge” from Roman history. Julius Caesar was assassinated for the murder of “Pertinax, and “Henry III of France”. Another kind of revenge is “private revenges”. “Public revenges are for the most part fortunate….. But in private revenges it is not”.

The conclusion of “Of Revenge” By Sir Francis Bacon:

Sir Francis Bacon highly criticizes a revengeful person. He suggests that he should either forget his past or ignore his enemy. Otherwise, he is going to live a miserable life. Nevertheless, we see Bacon’s worldly approach. The essay is moral in nature but nowhere in the essay is morality related to spirituality. This essay is only thoughtful from worldly perspectives rather than religious perspectives. Bacon adds relevant quotations of ancient philosophers and makes his essay rich. The advice of not taking revenge, which Sir Francis Bacon gives to his readers, is not new, but his arguments and references makes it fresh. Indeed, this essay is worth reading especially it is dedicated to those persons, who are living an unhappy life while having revenge in their minds.

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