Christianity in the sixteenth and seventeenth century illuminated new tolerance and deep conflict. The literature published around this time that involved religion and Christianity was generally controversial in nature. This includes Shakespeare 's play Hamlet, which focuses around the title character and his quest to avenge his father’s death. After the wedding between his mother, Queen Gertrude, and his uncle, Claudius, Hamlet soon finds out Claudius murdered his father. He vows to kill Claudius so that his father 's spirit can finally move on. But, Hamlet fears for what is to happen to him in the afterlife if he does commit murder. The play is full of regicide, incest, adultery, and suicide. Due to the nature of this play and historically
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Throughout the play, one of Hamlet’s negative traits is his reluctance to take action. Hamlet is indecisive and encounters many problems whilst seeking revenge. Hamlet takes his time and prefers to thoroughly discuss his method of murder. One of the reasons why Hamlet isn’t quick to action with the plan to kill Claudius is that he fears for the consequences in the afterlife. Murder is a sin, and if he kills his father’s murderer, his soul will be damned to Hell. He is not sure if revenge is worth eternal damnation. Hamlet has to meticulously plan out every detail, constantly on the verge of not following through with his plans due to fear. This is best represented in the “ To be, or not to be, that is the question” ( 3.1.56) soliloquy where he contemplates whether he should seek revenge and kill Claudius or commit suicide. But, he knows with either of those two options, he will be damned to Hell. This soliloquy is one of the many times where Hamlet avoids killing Claudius. Sloth in Hamlet is also exemplified when Claudius is praying and admits to murdering King Hamlet, whilst Hamlet overhears. This gives Hamlet no doubt that Claudius is his father’s murderer, and instead of killing him right there, Hamlet says, “ But in our circumstance and course of thought ‘Tis heavy with him; and am I revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No.” ( 3.3.84-87) This means that Hamlet does not want to kill Claudius right after he has admitted his sins before God in prayer, for if Claudius dies, he may go to Heaven. Once again, Hamlet talks himself from avenging his father, adding on to the sloth within
Throughout the play, one of Hamlet’s negative traits is his reluctance to take action. Hamlet is indecisive and encounters many problems whilst seeking revenge. Hamlet takes his time and prefers to thoroughly discuss his method of murder. One of the reasons why Hamlet isn’t quick to action with the plan to kill Claudius is that he fears for the consequences in the afterlife. Murder is a sin, and if he kills his father’s murderer, his soul will be damned to Hell. He is not sure if revenge is worth eternal damnation. Hamlet has to meticulously plan out every detail, constantly on the verge of not following through with his plans due to fear. This is best represented in the “ To be, or not to be, that is the question” ( 3.1.56) soliloquy where he contemplates whether he should seek revenge and kill Claudius or commit suicide. But, he knows with either of those two options, he will be damned to Hell. This soliloquy is one of the many times where Hamlet avoids killing Claudius. Sloth in Hamlet is also exemplified when Claudius is praying and admits to murdering King Hamlet, whilst Hamlet overhears. This gives Hamlet no doubt that Claudius is his father’s murderer, and instead of killing him right there, Hamlet says, “ But in our circumstance and course of thought ‘Tis heavy with him; and am I revenged to take him in the purging of his soul, when he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No.” ( 3.3.84-87) This means that Hamlet does not want to kill Claudius right after he has admitted his sins before God in prayer, for if Claudius dies, he may go to Heaven. Once again, Hamlet talks himself from avenging his father, adding on to the sloth within