Revenge

Read Stories About Revenge Online

This collection explores the theme of revenge through a diverse set of narratives, each illustrating different ways in which individuals and creatures seek retribution. The stories include both classic tales and lesser-known works, each with its own unique portrayal of vengeance.

One prominent theme is that of personal betrayal and its consequences. In Dracula, Count Dracula seeks revenge on Jonathan Harker and his friends after they thwart his plans, leading to a series of violent confrontations. Similarly, Frankenstein presents the creature, abandoned by its creator, seeking vengeance on Victor Frankenstein for rejecting him and refusing to create a companion. In Hamlet, Prince Hamlet seeks revenge against his uncle Claudius, who has murdered his father, leading to a tragic cycle of death and retribution.

The theme of revenge also appears in works where retribution is sought against a perceived injustice. In The Cask of Amontillado, Montresor meticulously plans and executes a deadly revenge against Fortunato, whom he believes has wronged him. The Mezzotint follows Mr. Williams, who discovers a strange engraving tied to a haunting family tragedy, leading him to uncover the vengeful actions of a past event. The Judgement of Midas shows how Midas’s poor judgment results in divine punishment, turning his ears into those of an ass as revenge for his disrespectful criticism of Apollo’s music.

Another theme explored is the vengeance sought by animals. In The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox, the Lion is sick and is accused by the Wolf of disrespect, leading the Fox to suggest a lethal course of action as revenge. The Flamingos’ Stockings presents flamingos who, out of envy, seek to impress others by wearing coral snake skins, which ultimately results in their punishment. The The Farmer and the Fox shows a farmer who seeks revenge on a fox by setting its tail on fire, only for the fox’s retaliation to destroy his harvest. In The Revenge of the Fireflies, fireflies seek vengeance on goblins for excluding them from a celebration by creating an illusion of fire.

Vengeance can also be found in mythological tales. In Prometheus, the Titan Prometheus seeks revenge against Zeus for his treatment of mankind, only to be punished for his actions in stealing fire for humans. The Deluge recounts Zeus’s decision to destroy humanity with a flood due to their evil ways, though a select few survive to repopulate the Earth. The story of Timon of Athens focuses on the downfall of a wealthy man who, after being abandoned by his friends, turns bitter and isolated, with no one left to take revenge on except himself.

Finally, the theme of poetic justice is prevalent in stories such as The Rose-Tree, where a girl’s death is avenged by a bird, and The White Doe, where a queen’s curse on her daughter is broken through a series of events that lead to the daughter’s marriage and happiness. The Scorpion and the Tortoise presents the scorpion’s attempt to betray the tortoise, only for the tortoise to prevent his treachery, highlighting a natural form of revenge.

This collection, with its range of narratives, offers different perspectives on how vengeance drives characters, from humans to animals, to gods. Each story provides a unique exploration of the consequences of revenge and the lengths to which individuals will go to seek justice or retribution.