God's Laws In Hamlet

Elizabethan law is based on perception and appearing respectable establishes order and an honorable reputation and in Hamlet, the self interest of particular characters strays them away from honorable conduct. The selfish fulfillment of personal gain invokes havoc and total disorder within the royal kingdom causing, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”(1.4.100). Although social rules of Elizabethan society are major factors in determining a person’s worth, these rules are outweighed by the highest law of the land, the Protestant church. The goal of all citizens in Elizabethan society is to make it to heaven, so following God’s law. Throughout the play, Shakespeare inserts many different biblical allusions reminding the audience of
its duties as servants to God, but the most significant biblical theme utilized is the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are essential biblical principles that serves as a guideline to all that follow and if broken, the perpetrators face major consequences. In Act One of Hamlet, many of the Ten Commandments are broken by the royal family, who are supposed possess the qualities of God. Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude compromise their religious integrities for personal reasons and in the end, will face consequences.
King Claudius is an example that breaking one of the ten commandment causes a ripple effect. Claudius’ quest for taking the throne begins with the tenth commandment: “Thou shall not covet your neighbor's wife.” Claudius’ envy of his brother’s power and relationship with his wife fills him with corrupt and ungodly ideas.The eighth commandment: Thou shall not steal, is broken when he inherits the crown from Old Hamlet. Traditionally, the son of the king becomes the heir to the throne, after the present king’s death; however, Claudius robs Hamlet of this opportunity to carry out his own undertaking. In result of this envy, breaches the sixth commandment: “Thou shall not murder”, as he kills his own brother to take the throne and fulfills his lustful antics by marrying Queen Gertrude. Although it is not a commandment, incest is considered a deplorable act and Gertrude and Claudius’ marriage is viewed as a sin to Elizabethan society. Claudius puts on the facade of a caring, trustworthy king by dishonoring the ninth commandment: “Thou shall not bear false witness”. Lies and deception are what drive the power hungry Claudius to commit such crimes; however, Hamlet’s premeditated plans are driven by depression, betrayal, and even madness.
The fifth commandment: “Honor thy father and thy mother” is neglected by Hamlet.
He is unable to fully mourn his father’s death as his recently widowed mother marries his own uncle and in result, begins to lose a will to live. Hamlet is disgusted by his mother’s incestous hasty relationship with King Claudius; however, the ghost of Old Hamlet advises Hamlet to “ Leave her to heaven and those to thorns that in her bosom lodge to prick and sting her” (1.5.93-94). Overwhelmed with rage and excitement, Hamlet disregards his father’s wise words and proceeds to curse his mother by crying, “ O Most pernicious woman!” (1.5.112). Hamlet defies the requests of his father as his overall emotions shift from melancholy to excitement. Hamlet’s disdain for his mother will cause him to become irrational and may lead him to murder his own mother, breaking another commandment.
Old Hamlet serves as a lesson to those who have neglected godly commands. Prior to his untimely death, Old Hamlet did not make confessions to the church, leaving him, “Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled, no reckoning made…” (1.5.84). Without having a chance to confess his sins, Old Hamlet is subjected to purgatory, where he suffers unimaginable pain and torture. Old Hamlet’s testimonies acts as a warning those who commit sinful acts and foreshadows the misfortune certain characters may have after they
die.