Tag Archives: Hamlet

In this post, I complete the work begun here. These contextual details involve sanctions and succession. Classical vs. Christian Views of the Afterlife: When Hamlet pictures an actual example of revenge, his image is classical. In his dialogue with the player king, Hamlet remembers Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, who avenges his father’s death byContinue reading “Hamlet: Two Final Contexts”

I continue to follow up my commentary and exploration of symbols with research into Hamlet‘s contexts. Here are the questions I am attempting to answer. Transcendence: Does Roman Catholic or Protestant theology determine how you read the play? Hierarchy: What were the key debates in political theory at the time about how to handle an unjustContinue reading “Hamlet: Contextual Questions”

I am currently reading through Paul Cantor’s short book on Hamlet and finding it illuminating on the subject of ethics/sanctions. Cantor argues that the tension in the play is not primarily between Catholic and Protestant ethics but between Classical and Christian ethics. We can sum up the difference by saying the former encourages revenge while the latter prohibits it.Continue reading “Hamlet: Additional Contexts”

In this earlier post, I surveyed the use of three symbols in Hamlet. I complete that survey by adding animals and spirits/angels in this post.

Here is a quick overview of three critical symbols in Hamlet. I will pay particular attention to metals/stones because they are the symbols most connected with ethics and law.

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”