Elizabethen era Essay Example

can be summarized by this line, which reveals his materialistic nature: "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: / Words without thoughts never to heaven go" (3.3 98-99). Although he prays and claims remorse for his actions, he acknowledges the insincerity of his prayer, knowing that God is aware of his true intentions. He has come to accept his inevitable fate. Later, when Laertes storms the castle with a mob, blaming Claudius for his father's death, the King calmly defends his innocence: "We will our kingdom give, / Our crown, our life, and all that we call ours," he promises in an attempt to demonstrate his sincerity in the matter, "To you in satisfaction" (4.5 204-206). Claudius relies on material possessions as he tries to convince Laertes that he is not responsible for Polonius' death. He believes that by offering such valuable and meaningful things, Laertes will instantly perceive the truth in his words.

Ultimately, all that Claudius possesses is his kingdom, crown, and lifestyle. Recognizing that Laertes is furious about his father's death, Claudius realizes that he can manipulate him. To initiate this manipulation, he questions Laertes about the extent of his love for his father and speculates how time can diminish that love: "And nothing is at a like goodness still, / For goodness, growing to a pleurisy," warns Claudius, "Dies in his own too-much" (4.7 117-118). Ironically, Claudius fails to heed his own advice. Even something virtuous can become excessive and perish from its own abundance. During Hamlet's subsequent duel with Laertes, Claudius demonstrates his craving for adulation by ostentatiously toasting to Hamlet's health and dropping a poisonous pearl into the goblet.

Gertrude also drinks to Hamlet's well-being from the same cup, disregarding Claudius's warning against doing so.

Despite being aware of Gertrude's death and pretending she has merely fainted, Claudius demonstrates no regret for his deeds. He proclaims his affection for her, though it seems that he is primarily concerned with protecting his own image. Hamlet, in anger towards Claudius, forces him to consume the tainted wine, leading to Claudius getting the retribution he rightly merits. After the demise of Gertrude, Claudius, Laertes and Hamlet himself; Horatio remembers Hamlet's last request to tell his tale. Upon Fortinbras' and the ambassadors' arrival, Horatio narrates to them "so shall you hear / Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts..."

Horatio implies that Claudius' relentless quest for physical gratification and authority results in his eventual ruin. Shakespeare utilizes Claudius' character to depict the ramifications of an excessive focus on carnal instincts. Conversely, Hamlet's extreme spiritual nature also causes him to lose his way. At the start of the play, Claudius denies Hamlet's plea to return to Wittenberg, which triggers Hamlet's animosity towards Gertrude and Claudius. In anger and frustration, Hamlet voices his desire that suicide was not proscribed by religious teachings.

Hamlet's decision not to commit suicide is influenced by his belief that it goes against God's desires (2 131-32). He demonstrates a concern for his own soul and worries about the afterlife. Upon encountering the ghost of his deceased father, Hamlet ponders if it is a messenger from heaven or hell. In learning about the existence of purgatory, he exclaims, "O all you host of heaven! O earth!", and questions whether he should associate it with hell (1.5 93-94). When explaining the

concept of purgatory to Horatio, Hamlet declares, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, / Than are dreamt of in our philosophy" (1.

Hamlet undergoes a transformation in his thought process, realizing he still has a great deal to comprehend about life and the afterlife (4 167-68). It's fascinating how he shifts from being philosophical to becoming more spiritual, acknowledging the presence of hidden elements. He comes to accept that there is more to existence than what is taught in the Bible. As the play progresses, Hamlet becomes aware of the significant amount of time passed and his lack of action towards avenging his father's death. Reflecting on this, he asserts that both divine and demonic forces drove him towards revenge; now he feels a need to articulate his feelings verbally - a comparison drawn to a prostitute spilling her heart out (2.2 281-83). In the end, all Hamlet does is remain inactive.

Hamlet acknowledges his past passivity, expressing regret. However, when he finally resolves to act, he discovers Claudius in solitude and prayer. Fully geared up to react, Hamlet silently advances towards Claudius. Yet, on the brink of executing him, Hamlet pauses and contemplates if it is right to murder him at that moment - a time when Claudius is spiritually purifying himself and prepared for death. His hesitation is underscored by his resolute "No" (3.3 86-88) accompanied by a groan. These personal religious struggles cause Hamlet to retreat further into himself. He fears that Claudius might ascend to heaven before his father, who was murdered by Claudius himself. The supreme irony lies in the fact that had Hamlet slain Claudius then; it would

have ironically been his salvation.

Subsequent to the previous event, Hamlet seeks out Gertrude in her private quarters. His attitude is charged with animosity as he confronts his mother, implicating her in incest and complicity in regicide. Gertrude passionately refutes these charges, insisting that she is unaware of any such actions occurring. Hamlet proceeds to illustrate the severe repercussions of such deeds, declaring emphatically "Such an act... renders marital vows as dishonest as gamblers' promises: Oh, what a deed," he declares with rage, "That tears the very soul from the body's contract and turns sweet religion into a meaningless jumble of words" (3.4 42-50).

In the play, Hamlet speaks about his father's murder and the incestuous affair between Claudius and his mother. He feels this incident has desecrated the sanctity of matrimony and made spirituality irrelevant. Hamlet implores his mother to admit her wrongdoings before God and repent for her actions. He counsels her against making more errors in the future. This scene demonstrates that Hamlet regains his belief in God, hoping for his mother's absolution. He shows worry over her spiritual wellbeing and pleads with her to abstain from sinning further. Despite killing Polonius, he stays in his mother's room declaring himself as a tool of divine punishment from God. He embraces this role earnestly, knowing fully well that he will meet his downfall to restore balance in society according to God's holy decree.

Upon his eventual dispatch to England, Hamlet is once again struck by the minimal progress he has achieved in seeking vengeance for his father's demise and the glaring lack of opportunities. Regardless of a sense of defeat, Hamlet possesses unwavering faith in God's

master plan for him and embarks on his journey. Having surmounted various hurdles, Hamlet makes his way back home with an undeterred resolve to complete his mission. He narrates to Horatio how he managed to elude capture, stating "A divine force steers our deeds" (5.2 10). In Hamlet’s belief system, every event leading up to this juncture was preordained by God - from sleep deprivation and stumbling upon the death warrant in Rosencrantz's sack, possessing his father's signet ring, running into pirates - "Even under those circumstances, it was heaven’s decree," Hamlet quips in jest (5.2 48).

According to Shakespeare, Hamlet recognizes that in order to restore order, he must accept his own death as God's will. This realization highlights Hamlet's excessive spirituality, which ultimately leads to his downfall. In contrast, Horatio maintains a balanced perspective between worldly and spiritual values. In the beginning of the play, after witnessing the ghost, Hamlet's close friend Horatio is unsure of how to respond. "Before my God, I might not this believe," Horatio admits, "Without the sensible and true avouch / Of mine own eyes" (1.1 56-58). He approaches things from a philosophical standpoint, placing more faith in evidence and science rather than religion. When the ghost appears again in Hamlet's presence, Horatio advises him not to pursue it.

Horatio expresses his concern that the ghost, possibly from hell, will try to take Hamlet's soul (1.4 69). This displays his belief in heaven and hell and his worry for his friend's spiritual well-being. As the play progresses, Horatio becomes anxious when Hamlet agrees to duel with Laertes. He tries to convince Hamlet to reconsider: "If you're mind dislike anything, obey

it" (5.2 208). In this moment, Horatio appeals to Hamlet's instincts and urges him to listen to his own thoughts. However, Hamlet ignores this advice and ultimately suffers defeat and poisoning during the duel with Laertes.

After Hamlet's death, Horatio implores God: "Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" (5.2 353). Horatio's plea showcases his spiritual nature and his hope for Hamlet to find eternal peace in heaven. Shakespeare uses Horatio's character to illustrate the importance of striking a balance between earthly and spiritual pursuits. The playwright excellently depicts how excessive emotions can lead astray and how equilibrium is the key to success. In the play "Hamlet," Shakespeare underscores the need for balance not only in matters of the flesh and soul but also in other domains such as passion and reason, youth and authority, duty and personal agenda, and so on. Through the characters' trials and tribulations, we witness the consequences of extremes. Can one truly achieve a harmonious equilibrium amidst these considerations? As Hamlet reflects, "What a piece of work is a man!" (2.

2 303). Shakespeare's work serves as a reminder that no one in the world is perfect; everyone possesses flaws. However, those who triumph are the ones who manage to conquer their imperfections.