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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help


III.iv.Enter Ghost

When Hamlet confronts his mother and lectures her, he receives
a warning from the ghost about his actions. So on one level, yes
you are correct.
On another level, how can Hamlet be expected to kill Claude
knowing full well he will go to heaven? I don't think Ham
was usurping God's authority because in Elizabethan society,
that simply was not possible. Eventually, when Claude dies,
god *will* have the ultimate decision of where he does or doesn't
go.
The ghost comes in a few times to remind Ham of his
responsibilities and to warn him of his actions. I'm not so
sure that in waiting until AFTER the prayer Hamlet is any
*more* of a sinner than he would be upon MURDERING someone,
deserved or not.

Posted by Todd on April 06, 1997 at 12:17:29
In Reply to "Hamlet's sin" posted by Florence Amit on April 03, 1997 at 22:59:17


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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help