a word from our sponsors
See the new shakespeare.com. This feature, while it still provides useful information, is no longer maintained.
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help
Hamlet is a sinner. We all are sinners. The problem had been for Hamlet that he wanted to be of the "elect", Calvin's elect and so to stain himself for partisan revenge seemed to him a sure way to fall into temptation and lose the election. However as someone who had to take charge in this world, in his father's kingdom, his understanding of motivation should have been much simpler. He should have been content with one of the ten commandments. (Ex. 21.12.14) " But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to sly him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die." Hamlet was not aware of how faulty his religious posture had become until he did the accidental killing of Polonious for which it was easy to ask forgiveness. It was then that his sinfullness is accepted and he can be cleansed. He even asks forgiveness of Gertrude. From that moment Hamlet is a changed man and can act resolutely.You seem to miscomprehend the implications of usurping God's authority. Obviously a human being cannot judge in God's place, but Hamlet was seriously trying to weigh the scales, instead of fulfilling his specifically human task as laid down in scripture. Now what kind of a God would it be if Tom, Dick or Harry could cheat at the weighing out of Devine Justice? Is God then just a boobey? What do you suppose are the implications? Isn't this a kind of infraction on the first commandment? "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Ex. 20.7
Posted by Florence Amit on April 06, 1997 at 22:57:59
In Reply to "III.iv.Enter Ghost" posted by Todd on April 06, 1997 at 12:17:29
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help