Preview

hamlet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
518 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
hamlet
Terry Edmondson
Dr. Ruleman
Comp 2
10/17/13
Is Hamlet a Christian? Any Christian knows that as humans we are all sinners and we are forgiven every day. Hamlet in this story ends up killing two men which are Polonius, and Claudius the present king of Denmark. The act of murdering another human is the ultimate sin to most Christians however, I think hamlet did what he thought was right to avenge his father’s unfair death. Hamlets father comes to him as a ghost asking him to seek revenge. Hamlet is unfairly pressed to a sinful act. Hamlet also has a thought of suicide. Suicide is a sin that will send whomever straight to hell. Hamlet does not act on the thoughts of self-death. The time period and legal aspect of this story also has a little to do with the act of murder. The ghost of hamlets father says to hamlet “so art thou to revenge, when thou shall hear.”(1.5.7) the ghost was asking when hamlet was going to get revenge on Claudius to set him free from purgatory. Hamlet and the spirit of his father are both looking for “seeking the truth and soul in eternity knowing the truth.” (121 Sister Miriam, joseph). Hamlet is seeking revenge which is truth, justice, once he has confirmed that Claudius the king killed hamlets father he knew the truth and took action as any other human would in this time period. “I consider the morality of the ghosts command from three points of view: the moral situation as grounded on custom and reason, the legal aspect and the special command.” (122 sister Miriam, joseph). Hamlet has thoughts of suicide in act three when talking to Ophelia he says, whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer/ the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / or to take arms against a sea of troubles,/ and, by opposing, end them" (3.1.59-62). If Hamlet committed suicide, it would not be a noble act and he would get no credit for revenging his father's death. Hamlet has many chances to act on the killing of the king, but hesitates to act on the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Hamlet seems to be the one who lets things dwell in his mind before taking any action or making an attempt at trying to get on with his life. After the death of his father he becomes depressed and gradually becomes enraged with his mother's immediate marriage to his uncle Claudius. He was lead to believe his father died of natural cause but he became aware of the murderer when his father's ghost appeared to him. When Hamlet learns the truth of his father's murder, he cries, but promises action, though he delivers none. He says "Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge." (Act 1, Sc. 5, 29-31). At the end of the scene he says "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!" (Act 1, Sc. 5, 188-189). This shows that he is no longer in such a rush to avenge his father's death by killing his uncle Claudius.…

    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Throughout Hamlet, many characters develop showing their change of mind and emotions. Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark and Hamlet's mother, is an exception. Throughout the entire play she thinks only of herself. Even when she tries to think of or help others, her final decision revolves around her life and how the situation will affect her. Gertrude's selfishness is displayed in her marriage to Claudius, her forcing Hamlet to accept Claudius as his father, and her betrayal of Hamlet to Claudius after Hamlet sees his father's ghost.…

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet

    • 1435 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Hamlet is one of the most complex characters and stories in western literature. Shakespeare has loaded this play to the brim with philosophy and ideas far beyond his years. Hamlet himself can be dissected and interpreted in thousands of different ways; but most notably he is dramatic. Dramatic in every sense of the word, he enjoys acting and plays and he is extremely animated in all of his interactions. The same drama that impassions him, tortures him; so much so that he often contemplates suicide. Possibly the most significant drama in the play and in Hamlet surrounds the sanctity of the, and specifically, Hamlet’s mind. Hamlet doesn’t allow anyone to intrude his mind for many reason none more important then the other. The reasons that seem the most profound all surround the validity of his own sexuality and the judgments of the gender relationships he is apart of. Hamlet seemingly blames his mother for parts of his fathers death. He knows she didn’t actually kill him but he blames her for her lack of grief and also her marriage to the swine that is Claudius. He even goes as far as to say to her “aye madam, it is common” right after Gertrude told him about how all life ends he basically calls her a hooker. (I, ii, 13) It is peculiar that he has such a reaction to a mother trying to comfort her grieving son. Throughout the play Hamlet comes up against many trials but none greater then the challenge of accepting who he is versus what he is trying to be. All of Hamlet’s greatness and all of his flaws come from the same source his extreme aversion to the gender relationships posed in his world. In order for us to truly understand hamlet we have to penetrate what he so actively tries to protect; which in Hamlet’s case is his mind and his understanding of love, and his own sexuality.…

    • 1435 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Throughout different contexts, perspectives change. With these changing perspectives, composers collaborate with one another in order to attain a heightened understanding of the context. The enduring quality of Hamlet arises from its textual integrity, and its exploration of universal themes relating to the human condition. As such, the cohesive nature of Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1601) is enhanced through Gregory Doran’s’ film interpretation Hamlet BBC (2009). An analysis of this contemporary production elucidates the concepts from the original play, exploring the deceptive facades of the protagonist and antagonist. Further we can observe the inter-play of duty on identity and judge the notions of mortality in order to realise the fragility of life. Both texts remain relevant in relating with the modern audience and more specifically, the symbolisation of the ‘mouse trap.’…

    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    hamlet

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the protagonist of the story Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, gives a soliloquy, expressing his deepest emotions through grieving, anger and resentment of his own mere existence. The universe is both an intricate and unique creature; built with a suitable and decent amount of its ups and downs of fortune. Prince Hamlet is conflicted and dazed upon the overall position he has come to in his life, mourning for his royal father's death, King Hamlet, and unable to bear the deception and betrayal of his mother’s hasty marriage.…

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Literary Theories

    • 1555 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In Hamlet, revenge is a very big theme. Hamlet seeks revenge for his father’s death which is against Christian teaching. At the beginning, Hamlet’s father appears as a ghost and orders Hamlet to get revenge by killing the new King Claudius (his murderer). Hamlet had to choose between following his father’s orders and going against the Christian ways and committing a sin or to dismiss his father’s ghost’s wishes and go with the Christian ways. At the time, Christianity and…

    • 1555 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 938 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why does Hamlet delay Killing Claudius? What is stopping him. How valid are his reasons for his hesitation. How many times does he have the opportunity to attack and kill Claudius but hesitates and does not go through with it. What do these hesitations and delays say about Hamlet’s character. Hamlet is a very intriguing character with a lot of different morals, ethics, and principles. Hamlet’s morals, ethics, and principles are more on a subconscious level and sometimes Hamlet does not even realize they are there. He has plenty of opportunities to kill Claudius but does not, which says a lot about how strong these morals are.…

    • 938 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages

    This is before Hamlet knows that the man he must kill is Claudius. He is very enthusiastic and motivated to kill whoever killed his father, but that is not biblically justifiable. Romans 12:19 says, Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. This is very clear by saying that the Lord will avenge it is not our duty. Even if Claudius is above the law it is still unjustifiable because God is above everybody. God also commands us to honor our parents and Claudius is technically Hamlets father. Ephesians 6:2 says, 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. God promises us a long life if we honor our parents and Hamlet ends up killing his father-in-law and Hamlet dies right after.…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet’s battle with his own beliefs engenders his major moral crises. Growing up in a strictly Christian household, Hamlet’s religious indoctrination has programmed him to believe that Thou must not kill – a fundamental religious commandment which he wholeheartedly follows. However, when Hamlet finds out that Claudius murdered his father, he begins to feel incredibly conflicted between his religious beliefs and his need to abide by his “filial obligations,” thus avenging his father. This conflict between religious sentiment and filial duty becomes all the more difficult to resolve when Hamlet stumbles upon Claudius praying. Hamlet, realising that his entry is unbeknownst to Claudius, initially sees this as an opportune moment to kill his uncle. However, Hamlet pauses, thinking that to kill Claudius whilst he is in prayer would be “hire and salary, not revenge,” and would send him straight to heaven, thus doing him a grave service. Hamlet believes this to be an injustice since his father is suffering in Purgatory, and so resolves to wait in the hope of catching Claudius in the act of sin, thereby ensuring his passage to hell.…

    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 625 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the play Hamlet it is obvious that there is a story about a boy who lost his father, but the main climax comes from how he takes his revenge. Hamlet theoretically could have received evidence of his father’s death by different means but did so by revealing his madness to others. Hamlet sees more benefit by pretending he is mad as he can take revenge and there are less suspicions of the killing. Hamlet is only feigning madness at this point of the play for simple and successful vengeance as he uses several action, his own words and others opinions to find answers.…

    • 625 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 688 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Throughout history it has been an inherent part of the human condition to try and define ones role in society, whether by simply reflecting the role that is expected of them or by actively seeking to redefine this role in order to better fit ones self perception. Shakespeare explores both these paths to self-definition through the characters of Hamlet and Laertes, who both play the role of avenger, though they each carry out their role in a different way. Shakespeare explores these ideas with a number of dramatic and literary techniques, including revenge conventions, the use of soliloquy and the recurring theme of appearance versus reality.…

    • 688 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet

    • 1015 Words
    • 3 Pages

    “No nation will run away from corruption when the devil is the kingmaker” (Onyejnduakg, E.O.). Pastor Chukwuemeka examines a wide variety of wise sayings about life and temptations in his self-entitled book. He tries to warn, instruct, and advice mankind on what is right. Chukwuemeka explores the idea that when a person in a position of power is treacherous and tainted, all of his followers will be equally as corrupted. A society cannot function properly when their king is evil. The only way to reinstate balance and peace in their land is to send the devil back to hell. Comparatively, in Shakespeare’s brilliant play Hamlet, he illustrates how corruption will spread like an incurable disease when the king is full of falsehood and evil. In Hamlet, corruption spreads like a disease that can only be cured by killing the cancer. Claudius is the source of the evil. He triggers the growth of the cancerous corruption when he embarks on his deceitful path to becoming king. Hamlet cannot help but be polluted with the disease as well, infecting his mind and causing the poor prince to turn mad. Finally, Laertes also falls victim to the corruption, losing his honor and ethics.…

    • 1015 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    hamlet

    • 1086 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A dystopian fiction is a futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society.In Elysium written by Neill Blomkampand and The Handmaids Tale written by Margaret Atwood, these two dystopian fiction focus on how society in the future has altered drastically because how society has became. In both fiction the authors focus on how both society failed and collapsed. Elysium and the handmaids tale show very similar characteristics of dystopian fiction, in both Elysium and The Handmaids Tale you can see that in there society that there is dehumanization, and also propaganda.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet

    • 1258 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet exacts on his uncle Claudius for murdering King Hamlet, Claudius's brother and Prince Hamlet's father, and then succeeding to the throne and taking as his wife Gertrude, the old king's widow and Prince Hamlet's mother. Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare between 1601 and 1603. Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest play and among the most powerful and influential tragedies in all literature. The play was one of Shakespeare's most popular works during his lifetime[2] and still ranks among his most-performed. The play explores themes of madness, revenge, mortality, religion, art and culture, lies and deceit, sex, gender and family. Madness – both real and feigned – is at the heart of the play. At times Hamlet pretends to be mad and at other times behaves in ways that suggest that he really is mentally unstable. The complexity and sheer ambiguity of Hamlet's mental state and erratic behavior is compelling and seems to speak to the play's overall atmosphere of uncertainty and doubt. The concept of revenge is present from the very start. Mortality is also present in the play. Hamlet's musings on suicide, especially the "to be or not to be" speech, are legendary and continue to direct discussions of the value of life and the mystery of death. Hamlet registers many of religious ideologies and spiritual anxieties of the 16th century. Christian ideas about "Mortality" and the afterlife have been explored. The play weaves together Christian attitudes toward murder, suicide, and revenge. Hamlet, more than almost any character in literature, hates deception and craves honesty.However he is trapped in a political world where Deception is necessary for and used by every character for various purposes. In the play, sexuality is frequently associated with deception, sin, and a seemingly fallen world. The young…

    • 1258 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet

    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Psychoanalytical criticism, the field of literary criticism most notably developed by Sigmund Freud’s psychological theories, reached its peak in the 1940’s and 1950’s. His widespread recognition stemmed from Freudian concepts such as the Oedipal complex, which came from his book An Interpretation of Dreams written in 1899. This theory developed by Freud says that at a very young age a child can generate an intense feeling of love for the parent of opposite sex, and an almost extreme dislike for the other parent. Freud had a great interest in literature which he often to create a much more clear picture of his theories. His greatest attachment through literature was by reading and analyzing the tragedy Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Here he explained the attachment of the theories of Oedipus complex, and Hamlets character in the story.…

    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays