Hamlets Faith Costs Him His Life :: essays research papers

A great chain of events in "crossroads", Shakespeares great revenge tragedy, leads to Hamlets own demise. His necessity for subterfuge allows him to inadvertently neglect is main objective, revenge. So much so that the ghost of his bloodless father appears to stipulate Hamlets reserved behavior towards his fathers revenge. "Do not forget. This bereavement is to whet thy al nigh blunted purpose," (83-84) says the ghost in a motivational manner which almost suggests a lack of corporate trust on Hamlets behalf. Nevertheless, Hamlet is overflowing with faith. Faith in god, faith in himself, even faith in his dead fathers ghost a faith that will comprise him his life. The untimely "Death" of world-beater Hamlet, Hamlets father, has sparked a disturbance in the method of Denmark. Hamlets mother has waited "Not so much, not two" (12) months after the Kings goal to remarry and her new husband, who coincidentally is King Hamlets brother, has swiftly em braced the throne. As the eyepatch unfolds, King Hamlets ghost appears to young Hamlet. He explains the current dilemma and elicits a vengeful feeling from Hamlet, providing young Hamlet with purpose, to "Revenge his foul and most unnatural execution". (25) At first, Hamlet is weary of this appearance, but he compromises his thoughts and put his faith in the ghost. In addition, the ghost even evokes a vow of allegiance from Hamlet. However, at this juncture in time, Hamlet finds himself in a state of disbelief. "And shall I couple hell?" (26) speaks Hamlet one time the ghost has departed, suggesting that Hamlet is very doubtful. However, his doubts are subsequently invalidated at the performance of The Murder of Gonzago where he requests a group of players to enact a similar murder to that of King Hamlets. "Ill have these players play something like the murder of my father before mine uncle.... The plays the thing wherein Ill catch the conscience of the King&q uot. (55) Towards the end of the play, Claudius hastily removes himself from the crowd, verifying Hamlets suspicions. Now, Hamlet not only possesses both reason to believe the ghost, but entrusts his faith in the ghost as well. However, Hamlets faith does not lie solely in the ghost. He has other kind of faith faith in himself. Hamlets belief that he jackpot see through his revenge blatantly exemplifies his faith in himself. In several instances, Hamlet requires himself to act mad "To put an Antic appetency on" (30) if you will.