If I could do this piece over again, I would not make it as hard for myself as I did. I knew what I wanted to say but, I had a hard time getting it to come across correctly. I used the bible as a reference because I thought it would be a good book to use since I chose Hamlet''s faith.
When I think of faith, I think of my faith and my religion. Now that I look back on this, it may not have been such a good idea to spend so much time looking up my references in the bible. I should have just concentrated more on the play.I really enjoyed reading this play so I didn't think that it was going to be this difficult to write this essay.
Alkeisha Davis
Ms. Evelyn Beck
English 102
April 7, 2007
Hamlet’s Faith
In the tragedy of "Hamlet" written by William Shakespeare there are implications regarding religion throughout the entire play. I believe that Hamlet is a smart young man whose opinions are guided by his religious beliefs. These opinions include his anguish regarding the marriage of his mother to his uncle, the type of man he perceives his uncle to be, and, his contemplation of suicide.
The marriage of Hamlet’s mother Queen Gertrude to his Uncle Claudius has really had a negative effect on the prince. He states, “She married. O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets: It is not, nor it cannot come to good, But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue” (I.2.156/159). Hamlet is torn because of this. He is consumed with feelings of hatred toward his uncle but he does not want to disrespect his mother. Hamlet knew that he had to think before he spoke to his mother. Exodus 20:12 states ,“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (NIV). Hamlet is also upset because he feels that his mother has not taken enough time to grieve for his father. Hamlet states,“Within a month, ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears had left the flushing in her galled eyes,” (I.2.154/155). Hamlet knows that it is wrong for his mother to marry his father's brother because the church forbid this.
Hamlet perceives his uncle to be an evil man. He is also displeased with the way his uncle is conducting himself and how it may look to other people. “This heavy-headed revel east and west makes us traduced and taxed of other nations: they clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase soil our addition, and indeed it takes from our achievements, though performed at height the pith and marrow of our attribute”(I.4.18/23). Hamlet is referring to his uncle’s drinking. 1 Corinthians 6:10 states, "nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God” (NIV). Hamlet felt that his uncle was an evil man who consciously did the wrong thing. Hamlet knew when he did something wrong but, he did those things for a good cause.
Hamlet is depressed because of his father’s death and feels as if no one cares about what is going on around him, so he begins to contemplate suicide. This is one aspect of Hamlet’s religious “conscience” coming into play.Hamlet states, ” O that this too too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew, or that the Everlasting had not fixed his cannon ’gainst self-slaughter (I.2.129/132). He seems to be acknowledging that it is sinful to commit suicide. Hamlet knows that God will be displeased with taking one's own life to which he has given. Exodus 20:13 states “Thou shall not murder” (NIV). Leviticus 21:20 also states “whoever kills a man must be put to death” (NIV).Romans 14:7 states “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone”(NIV).
Hamlet’s actions and thoughts reinforced that religion was sacred to him and the people around him. Though some of the things that he did may be seen as crazy, his reasoning was guided by a higher power.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. 8th ed. Ed.
Edgar V. Roberts and Henry E. Jacobs. Upper Saddle River, N.J,:Prentice Hall, 2004.
The Holy Bible. New International Version. Grand Rapids Michigan, The Zondervan
Corporation, 1986
