In addition to the other themes, the theme of revenge is enhanced by the allusion made to both the Bible and Hamlet. Both Absalom and Hamlet seek revenge for the wrongdoings that have been committed against their family members. This novel is also about revenge that asserts the necessity for responsibility in human affairs (Marowski and Matuz 104). For part of Charles Bon?s life and his mother?s life also, they have been waiting to seek revenge on Thomas Sutpen because he has abandoned them. The time finally comes for Charles to seek revenge when he takes part in an incestuous relationship with Sutpen?s daughter Judith. Not only can he disgrace the family, but also he can and does take part in the downfall of Sutpen. Henry Sutpen also seeks revenge for the relationship that has developed between Charles and Judith. Realizing that the two lovers are related, he immediately puts the relationship to an end and kills Charles for knowingly doing it. Revenge is very evident in this novel as a majority of the characters are seeking it for one reason or the other. Through the allusion to the Biblical story of Absalom and the play Hamlet, Faulkner allows the theme of revenge to be dominant in the story and easy to comprehend.
In the novel Absalom, Absalom!, William Faulkner?s characters are developed by his allusions to the Bible and the classical play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, which aids in portraying the conflicts and defining the central themes. By alluding to both the Biblical story of King David and the play Hamlet, Faulkner enhances the quality of his character?s personality and the events that take place in their lives. Thomas Sutpen?s character is greatly expanded as a result of the detailed parallels to King David. Along with Sutpen, the character of Charles Bon is expounded upon because of his likeness to Amnon, King David?s son. Henry Sutpen and Thomas Sutpen are given an in depth description through the comparison between themselves and Hamlet. Their characters represent instability and blind psychological forces. Directly related to the conflicts found in the Biblical account of King David and his family are those conflicts in Faulkner?s novel. Family members are no longer treated as family as they turn against each other in a series of events. Moreover, the two allusions are also used to make the thematic ideas stand out throughout the novel. These ideas are the failure of love, the search for truth, and the need to seek revenge on those who have done wrong in the eyes of the characters. Through the allusions of the Bible and Shakespeare?s Hamlet, Faulkner?s novel Absalom, Absalom! is much better portrayed and easier to comprehend.