Tag Archives: Covenantal Shakespeare

Over the past several posts, I have commented on the dimensions of ethics and law addressed in Hamlet. At the level of plot, the play is about whether or not a son should avenge his father. Hamlet’s decision has ramifications for society’s three institutions: family, church, and state. Hamlet feels bound to handle his father’s murderContinue reading “Hamlet: Theme”

I am investigating how Shakespeare represents the law and ethics in Hamlet. Here are eight observations from Act 5. The act opens with a legal dilemma: where should Ophelia be buried? This question represents the overlap of religious and common law. That is, the Bible won’t directly answer the question about where to bury Ophelia. YouContinue reading “Hamlet: Act 5 Commentary”

I am investigating how Shakespeare represents the law and ethics in Hamlet. Here are five observations from Act 4. Gertrude identifies Hamlet’s attack on Polonius as a “lawless fit.” If that’s the case, it’s instructive to see how the kingdom handles his case. Claudius reveals that he’s underhanded, even with the open and shut case ofContinue reading “Hamlet: Act 4 Commentary”

At the end of my last post, I indicated that Hamlet has a biblical precedent for his play ploy: Nathan’s story about the sheep when confronting David in II Samuel. Hamlet doesn’t handle this prophetic office as well as he should, but it made me think about Hamlet’s role as a prophet. Meditating on HamletContinue reading “Hamlet: Act 3 Commentary”

I am investigating how Shakespeare represents the law and ethics in Hamlet. Here are nine observations from Act 2. The kingdom is full of hypocrites. Claudius, the new king, got his throne by murdering his brother. His chief advisor, Polonius, reveals himself as a spymaster in Act 2 Scene 1. He doesn’t trust Laertes in Paris,Continue reading “Hamlet: Act 2 Commentary”

I am investigating how Shakespeare represents the law and ethics in Hamlet. Here are nine observations from Act 1. Denmark is preparing for war, and Horatio, the “scholar,” connects war with law. Hamlet Sr., the dead Danish king, fought the Norwegian king in a duel for the right to both kingdoms. Because Hamlet Sr. won inContinue reading “Hamlet: Act 1 Commentary”

These are three contexts I’ll need to consider as I offer a covenantal interpretation of Hamlet. The Protestant Reformation. The play has clear Protestant elements: the setting in a traditionally Protestant country, Denmark; the school that Hamlet, Horatio, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern attend in Wittenburg, the Reformation’s birthplace; and the focus on the individual’s salvation or damnationContinue reading “Hamlet: Contexts”

I began working on the third play in my Covenantal Shakespeare e-course this week: Hamlet. The play is primarily about ethics, namely the law regarding revenge. Here’s the plot. The ghost of Hamlet’s father charges Prince Hamlet to revenge his murder by killing Claudius, Hamlet Sr.’s brother and the current king. Hamlet feigns madness causing variousContinue reading “Hamlet: A Covenantal Plot”