Hamlet 7 Deadly Sins Analysis

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the seven deadly sins are shown throughout the play often in the form of symbolism and wordplay. Shakespeare seems to have intentionally added this into the play as an underlying theme. He uses a play on words many times to show the true intentions of the character to the audience but still keep it hidden from another character in the play. Original sin describes man’s tendency to do what is evil. Because the world is fallen, man and woman alike have an innate sin nature that drives them to do the opposite of the Lord’s will. These sins include envy, pride/vainglory, sloth, greed, anger, gluttony and lust, all of which are shown quite vividly throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Envy describes the feeling of wanting something that someone else has (DeYoung 43). Envy is not wanting something like someone else has, rather it is wanting exactly that specific thing they own, a want to take away something from someone else (DeYoung
“The inner condition of the heart is what gives rise to greed’s outer manifestations, which are typically categorized as excessive acquisition and excessive retaining of money or possessions” (DeYoung 100). The figures that most accuracy portray greed are Polonius and Claudius. Polonius constantly tries to gain the kings favor, he craves it and will do almost anything to achieve it. Polonius does not seem to care what the consequences of his quest for kingly favor will bring. He spies on Hamlet and even tells King Claudius information about Hamlet that sounds good but has not been confirmed, though he acts as if he is certain it is. His want for kingly favor leads him to his death when he decides to hide and spy on Hamlet and Gertrude. Claudius’ greed shows through his stolen kingdom. He wanted to be ruler so passionately that he killed his own brother in cold blood, not only that but he also stole his wife. His greed, along with vainglory and envy led him to