Hamlet

The shock Hamlet received causes him to regard himself not just as a believer, but also as a savior. There are many Christian ideas hidden in the play and it’s the reason why prince hamlet decides to seek revenge on king Claudius for what he did to his father. Through the aspects of the story Cain and Abel story in the Bible and the verses from the Bible all show religious backgrounds and Christianity ideas in the story. Through these examples it shows how Shakespeare use religion in his writing and how closely you have to look at his work to understand it. By dissecting words and thoughts in the play you will come to a conclusion that he is a religious person.

Faith plays a large role in how one lives their life. Christianity plays a strong role throughout Hamlet by William Shakespeare. When reading the play one must think of the controversies of the time when Shakespeare writes the play. Reformation and Renaissance opinions are reflected throughout. Shakespeare deals with very controversial attitudes and religious questions dealing with death, the existence of purgatory, morality, murder, suicide and marriage in his play Hamlet.

After Grendel’s mother kills a warrior to avenge her son’s death, Beowulf says to the mourning King that “It is always better / to avenge one’s friend than to mourn overmuch” (Liuzza 1384-5). When Beowulf finished speaking, “The old man leapt up, thanked the Lord, / the mighty God, for that man’s speech “(Liuzza 1398-9). These lines are both ironic and representative of the melting pot of Pagan and Christian ideas. It’s ironic because vengeance is forbidden in the bible, yet the old man thanks God for Beowulf’s intent to murder Grendel’s Mother. The bible says to “never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good” (New Revised Standard Version, Romans 12:19-21).

The time period in which Hamlet was written was greatly influenced by the Protestant religion. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet during the encroachment of the Spanish. The “ghost” who tells Hamlet the truth about his father’s death,

Each one of the eldest sons in the family had one thing in common, they wanted revenge for a slaughtered father. Hamlet’s main goal was to make his uncle suffer more than his father, so that his revenge would be complete. In Act 3, Scene 3, Hamlet had the perfect opportunity to kill Claudius, but because of Hamlet’s religious beliefs, he hesitated. Since Claudius was praying, Hamlet decided to wait for a time when Claudius was committing a sin to execute him instead. Hamlet believed that the action you were committing right before death, would determine if you entered heaven or hell.

And the Lord said unto him, Therefore, whoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken in him sevenfold.’ (King James Version) In this passage, ‘God cursed Cain for the murder and sent him to wander the earth. God put a mark on Cain’s body, so that nobody who saw him would be motivated to kill him. If anyone killed Cain for the murder of his brother, they would be severely punished’ (‘Conflicting Penalties’). This states that banishment and exile are the proper forms of punishment for murder. But, contradicting itself the Bible then goes on in Genesis 9:6 to say, ‘Whoso      shedeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God      made he man.’ (KJV) What this passage tells is that death is an okay punishment for murder, because murder is a personal offense to God.

Hamlet, the tragic hero of the play, and is influenced by the encounter with whom he believes to be his late father, the ghost. Hamlet was both horror-struck and mortified to hear of his father's betrayal. He immediately felt that he must avenge his father and this reveals the role of the ghost, who is able to affect the protagonist. Hamlet is instructed to punish Claudius, the late King Hamlet's brother and murderer. The ghost reveals that Claudius, by killing his own brother, has committed a, "murder most foul," and deserves to die.

When Hamlet finds out that his uncle murdered his father, who stole his wife and his crown, he has an instant urge to get revenge for the murderer who committed this foul act; “ Haste me to know’t, that meditation or the thoughts of love/ may sweep to my revenge” (1.5.30-32). This justified Hamlet’s feelings. One would agree that his revenge is morally right, although murder is wrong. The seriousness of Claudius’ crime grows when one contemplates that all deaths throughout the play would not have happened if Claudius did not kill his brother. Although the act of murdering someone is wrong; the seriousness of Claudius crime grows when one contemplates that all the deaths would not have happened if Claudius did not kill the king.

“Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (Act I.V), this is the rising action of the play, for the reason that Hamlet suspected his father died of natural causes. Hamlet is given opportunities to murder Claudius “now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven” (Act III.III). Hamlet must kill Claudius, but he’s praying being forgiven for all his sins and will go to heaven. Going to heaven isn’t suffering, but more of a promise land, Hamlet wants Claudius to suffer, by using his rational decision making, he prolongs the revenge towards Claudius.

Harry Potter died for the wizarding world much like Jesus Christ died willingly for our sins. After they died, they were resurrected by a father figure. Harry was resurrected by Albus Dumbledore in a way. After Voldemort tried to murder him a second time using the killing curse Harry went into a dream state where he met with Dumbledore who gave him a choice to live or die. Jesus and Harry are more alike than people think.