Religion In Hamlet Essay

The importance of religion in Hamlet by William Shakespeare hinders the decision of committing a murder and also causes people to reflect on the crimes that they have done. Throughout the play, Hamlet yearns to avenge his father’s death by attempting to murder his uncle. Hamlet’s spiritual uncertainty causes him to become indecisive on committing a crime. The idea of an eye for an eye is also seen in the play and goes against biblical ideals and morals of forgiving, which explains why Hamlet wants to kill his uncle. Reflecting on a crime once created also shows signs of repentment, maybe not at the moment but in the future.
While Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, is alone trying to repent for what he has done, Hamlet secretly stands nearby. Overhearing the new King’s prayer , Hamlet says
“Now might I do it pat, now he is a-praying,/ And now I’ll do’t./ And so he goes to heaven,/ And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd:/ A villain kills my father, and for that, /I , his sole son, do this same villain send./ To heaven/ Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge./He took my father grossly, full bread,/ with all crimes
As Claudius gets up, he says “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; / Words without thoughts never to heaven go”( 3.4. 103-104). In not truly repenting for the sin that he has done, demonstrates how religion did not hinder his initial crime of killing his brother like the biblical story of Abel and Cain. But this quote demonstrates how he has reflected on the crime that he has done. When Claudius says “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below”(3.4.103-104) We can infer that Claudius is aware of his wrong doings, because he took the courage to pray for his sins, although not heartly we are aware that he did. This supports the idea that religion influenced Claudius to try to