Biblical symbols in Hamlet

Shakespeare most often based his plays on a real or imagined person or event in history, which made a good "story" because of a fatal flaw or interesting twist of fate. Yet, especially in some plays, there are an also a number of elements and allusions that refer to the Old or New Testament. As Shakespeare scholar Mabillard relates in her essay "Biblical Imagery in Macbeth": "Shakespeare's debt to Scripture is profound; biblical imagery is woven into every play. No writer has integrated the expressions and themes found in the Bible into his own work more magnificently than Shakespeare." This comes as no surprise considering religion was thought by some to be an important factor in Shakespeare's upbringing and education. Some scholars, in fact, say that he was once seriosuly thinking about training as a priest at a seminary in Douai in northern France where a college was established for English Catholics. Regardless of the validity of this biographical point, Hamlet especially includes a host of religious symbols that lend additional depth to this already xxx play.

What also is not surprising that some of the biblical references have to do with revenge, considering this theme runs through both Hamlet and the Bible. In the Old Testament, for example, "an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth," in Exodous has nearly become a cliche. There were also several areas of the law of Moses where it was written tha vengence was not allowed by humans, only by God: In the New Testament, almost just as cliche is "turn the other cheek." Likewise, in Hamlet the title character continually waivers about whether or not to avenge his father's death with the murder of his uncle of if "tis nobler in the min to suffer / the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune."

In several situations, especially with his father's ghost, the Biblical phrase is providing some hint to a character of what Hamlet should or should not do in terms of revenge of his father. When the ghost speaks to Hamlet for the first time he refers to the Catholic purgatory: "I am thy father's spirit, / Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, / and for the day confined to fast in fires."

Thus, as soon as Hamlet's tragedy begins, he immediately knows something is amiss because the Christian Scriptures forbids it. He says he will still follow the ghost, sinceof it looks like his late father -- even if it "brings blasts from hell" Later, once again, as he weighs what is the right course of action, he recognizes that he could be falling into the trap of the devil, but little cares. He has been tempted to seek revenge and listened to the ghost.

The spirit I have seen

May be a devil; and the devil hath power

T'assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps

Out of my weakness and my melancholy,

As he is very potent with such spirits,

Abuses to damn me.

By saying this, Hamlet is recognizing that he may indeed be following the advice of an evil spirit that plans to do him harm. In fact, he is repeating the warning in the Corinthians: "For Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light. Therefore it is not great thing though his ministers transform themselves, as though they were the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works."

The ghost in Hamlet continues to be this nebulous being, without any true form or identity. Who he is exactly, is never entirely spelled out. However, given the fact that it shuns light and promotes revenge does suggest a devilish being. It is the same in the Bible with the tragedy of King Saul, the first King of Israel. He has turned his back on God, but continues to seek advice before battling against the Philistines. For help, he sees a medium, or witch, and asks her to summon the spirit of the recently deceased prophet-priest Samuel, who used to help Saul he was serving God. In the same way as the ghost wearing the Kingly cloak appears before the prince, a ghost in a priestly robe appears before Saul., and "Saul knew that it was Samuel." Saul asks this spirit for advice, becomes terrified, and takes his own life in the battle the next day. David, the new king, mourns the death of Saul, just as Fortinbras does with Hamlet. Yet, the Geneva Bible adds with the Corinthians: "It was Satan, who to blind his eyes took upon him the form of amuel as he can do of an Angel of light."

Unfortunately, for Hamlet however, he does listen to this ghost -- be this spectral sighting truly his father or some demonical spirit here to cause him harm. Hamlet would most likely had known the story of Saul just as he did know the Corinthian warning that it may not actually be Soloman or his father. He also would know that in the Old Testament revenge is only for God and that a "just" ghost would not have asked him to seek revenge against God's will. Likewise, he would know that in the New Testament Hamlet would know that Jesus tells his followers not to make oaths. "

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is the throne of God: Nor yet by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thine head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.