Christian Morality

1. Christian Morality in Hamlet

2. Christianity was discovered in the early first century AD with teachings, miracles, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, the son of God. Christianity is the largest religion in the world with over 2 billion followers and believers; it has influenced western culture for centuries and it is the dominant religion in Europe and the Americas. Christian morality is the belief that the best way to live is to follow the virtuous ways and the religious teachings of Jesus Christ. Hamlet’s main theme of the play is tragedy, however it does consist of religious ideologies (Christian morals) and spiritual anxieties of the sixteenth century. Hamlet intertwines Christian behaviours towards murder, suicide, and revenge. This play affects the characters and causes them to realize that Christian ethics are an incredibly significant part of how to live righteously, although many of them only recognize this after they have committed their sins.

3. But he wishes God didn’t forbid suicide so that he could take his life away without worrying that he would go to hell. By acknowledging this, he stayed true to his Christian morals and did not go through with taking his life because he is aware of the consequences that he would face. Hamlet is a firm believer in God“There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all.” (Act 5, sc 2, lines 210-213)God controls everything…Everything will work out as it’s destined…If something is supposed to happen now, it will. If it’s supposed to happen later, it won’t happen now.

4. “Isn’t that what God’s mercy is for? And doesn’t it serve these two purposes – to keep us from sinning and to bring forgiveness when we have sinned? So I’ll pray. I’ve already committed my sin. But oh, what kind of prayer is there for me ‘Dear Lord, forgive me for my horrible murder?’” Although Claudius is the archetypal devil figure, he still shows his belief towards God and asks for forgiveness for committing the murder of his brother. He is aware of his Christian surroundings and the beliefs and morals that they follow, hence the reason why he is repenting for what he has done. Although he cannot take back what he did, he is asking to be forgiven.“God wanted to punish me with this murder and this man with me, so I’m both heaven’s executioner and its minister of justice.” – This quote was said by Hamlet which reveals his thoughts and feelings on his beliefs about how everything happens for a reason, and how it was God's reason to punish him. Act 3, sc3, lines 47-53Where to serves mercyBut to confront the visage of offence?And what’s in prayer but this twofold force,Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up,.My fault is past. But o, what form of prayerCan serve my turn, “Forgive me my fould murder?”Act 3, sc 4, lines 174-177For this same Lord,I do repent. But heaven hath pleased it so,To punish me with this and this with me,That I must be their scourge and minister. QUOTES

5. Act 3, sc 3, lines 61-65 But ’tis not so above.There is no shuffling. There the action liesIn his true nature, and we ourselves compelled,Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults,To give in evidence.“Up in heaven every action is judged for exactly what it’s worth, and we're forced to confront our sins” – The meaning behind this quote is that God will reflect what they’ve done on earth and from those experiences it will determine where their destiny lies. Hamlet also makes people realize their sins, therefore causing them to repent to God and themselves and asking for forgiveness.  Hamlet makes Claudius realize he is guilty by watching the play, and he confronts Gertrude about her own sin; marrying her husband’s brother.

6. Act 3, sc 4, lines 162-16Assume a virtue if you have it not.That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,Of habits devil, is angel yet in this:That to the use of actions fair and good…For use almost can change the stamp of natureAnd either master the devil, or throw him out "Habit is a terrible thing, in that it’s easy to get used to doing evil without feeling bad about it…Habit can change one’s natural instincts, and either reign the devil in us or kick him out.” The meaning behind this quote is that if you continue to engage in bad things it lessens your conscience and expands your unconscious mind. This relates back to Christian morality because it could go against the main beliefs and morals of the religion.

7. Act 5, sc 2, lines 7-11And praised be rases for it: let us knowOur indiscretion sometimes serves us wellWhen out deep plots do pall, and that should teach usThere’s a divinity that shapes our ends,Rough-hew them how we will- In Hamlet it shows Christian Morality because of the way that the main characters show their faith to God. They are aware of religion but it’s hard for them to follow because of all the temptation and drama that surrounds them. “… there’s a God in heaven who’s always guiding us in the right direction, however often we screw up –“

8. Pride: excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity. Claudius depicts this sin throughout the play perfectly because he strongly believes that he has become an iconic, Godlike figure when really, the only figure he reflects is the Devil. Ever since he wiped his brother, King Hamlet off of his throne, he feels as though he has total control over everything that exists and that he possesses never ending power. • Envy: the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation. Claudius shows his envious manners towards his brother because he is a King whom everyone loves and he reigns over Denmark. With this characteristic, Claudius’ true id unleashes and shows us that he a selfish person who only cares about himself; he does not care if he hurts anyone as long as it is benefitting him. • Anger: manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath. Both Hamlet and Claudius show anger throughout the play in different ways. Hamlet portrays anger when the ghost of his father informs him that Claudius kills him. Hamlet is apprehensive at first because he is unsure of what to do or if it’s the truth, so he waits it out. He then hosts a play based on his uncle, Claudius, killing his father, Hamlet. Once he sees Claudius’ reaction after viewing the play, he knows his answer. Claudius shows his anger after he witnesses watching the play because it showed everyone in the room his genuine expression and the true reason as to why King Hamlet died. With all this being exposed, this caused Claudius to portray anger throughout the book. He seeks to kill Prince Hamlet next. • Greed: is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. Claudius is a very greedy person, for him to take his own blood and flesh brother’s life just to hold power over a country. Greed took over the best of Claudius and ended up causing him to murder his own brother in order to take position as the new King of Denmark.

9. The Seven Heavenly Virtues are a combination of the four Cardinal Virtues and the theological virtues. The Cardinal Virtues were discovered by early Christian Church theologians who adopted these virtues and considered them to be equally important to all people, whether they were Christian or not. They were the moral qualities; meanwhile, the theological virtues are essential nature of God, hope and faith. Certain virtues are presented throughout the play. This ties back to the play because it shows how the characters followed Christian morals. Faith: Complete trust or confidence in someone or something; a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. Hamlet shows his faith throughout the play by putting his complete trust within himself. He disregarded the fact of anything getting in his way in attempting to avenge his father’s death by murdering Claudius. Although it is an inhumanely act to murder another person, Hamlet did it out of pure genuine emotion because Claudius took away something extremely important to him. An act within the play that proves this would be when Hamlet has the chance to kill Claudius but he realizes that he is repenting for forgiveness from God; he cannot commit such a crime while Claudius is doing good, so he would wait until he was sinning in order to go through with his plan. Charity: concern for and active helping of others; benevolence. A character in the play that shows this quality would be Horatio, Hamlet’s bestfriend. Reason being is because he was the spiritual guidance and helping hand to Hamlet when he was experiencing all of these mixed emotions. He is Hamlet’s only true confidant and he is a very loyal friend to Hamlet. Horatio was always there to be at Hamlet’s assistance, even if it was just so that he had someone to talk to.

10. Hamlet used to represent as a man of God. He was noble, had “a gentleman’s grace, a scholar’s wit and a soldier’s strength.” By the end, Hamlet was still a firm believer of God and the Christian faith, although the death of his father is what caused Hamlet to go mad. He was very insightful about the morals of religion and how God determined the faith of every individual. Hamlet still does contain all these qualities and characteristics, but they are all covered up by feelings of wrath, revenge, and despise towards his uncle Claudius for murdering his father.