Redemption in Hamlet

Redemption can be defined religiously as ‘deliverance from sin through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ’ and we can ask whether Shakespeare was in-tern trying to create this sense of religious redemption at the end. Shakespeare has forged deep links with the bible story and Young Hamlets character throughout the play and especially in the closing scene of Act5 scene2 as the final battle draws to a close. The wounding and impending death of Young Hamlet has great similarities as both are betrayed by there closest. The religious connotations continue when Hamlet declares “But I do prophesy th’election lights On Fortinbras; he has my dying voice” This last scene is the pinical of Young Hamlets redemption as it a concept referring to the absolution for past sins and protection from eternal damnation.

The final words of Jesus It is finished and Hamlet The rest is silence are similar, and Horatio beckoning the angels to carry Hamlet to rest reminds us of the links of religion deeply rooted throughout the play. Hamlets character becomes almost Christ-like, only in the very general sense that through his suffering his people are saved.

Although that unlike Jesus, Hamlet's foremost intention was not to save his people; their redemption was an indirect bonus. His unsavory actions throughout the play have made it impossible for Hamlet to be equated with Christ in any more specific way, and, unlike the crucifixion (and, of course, resurrection) of Christ, which is center of Christianity, Hamlet's death is not the center of the play. It is actually anticlimactic - Hamlet becomes one of the "casual slaughters" reported by Horatio.

Another strong religious link in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is the murder of Old Hamlet by his brother Claudius. In the bible the book of genesis through chapter 4 and 5 tell the story of Cain and Abel. They were the first sons of Adam and Eve and Cain committed the first murder when he “slew” his brother Abel out of envy, these links are shown in Act3 Scene3 in Claudius’ soliloquy. When Claudius’s character is discussing the reason for which he completed the murder, “of those effects for which I did the murder, My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.” It describes the jealousy and envy he felt for his older brother, he begins to justify his actions as his want and greed to be King, he believes, is the price of murder and the ‘DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS’  The story of Cain and Abel is also followed when God protects Cain from being slain after he killed his brother, which can have great relevance to Hamlet not killing Claudius following his soliloquy. “Now might I do it pat, now a is a-praying, and now I’ll do’t- and so a goes to heaven, and so I am revenged.” Hamlet refrains from killing Claudius because he is praying, which in-tern brings back to the element of religious aspects in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.