Archetypes In Hamlet Research Paper

Authors often reference the Bible in their works. The play Hamlet, written by Shakespeare, is set in Denmark where a prince is forced to avenge his father’s death after his father's ghost tells him his death was not of natural causes. Prince Hamlet is also forced to accept that his mother is marrying her brother in law,his father’s killer, so quickly after the funeral. Shakespeare uses archetypes from “The Book of Genesis” found in the Bible to show that human nature never changes even if people know what the outcome will be. Two themes demonstrated in Hamlet are jealousy and corruption by using symbolism that refers to the Bible.

King Claudius who murders his brother shares the actions that Cain did to Abel because of jealous. In the Bible, Cain becomes jealous of his brother when realized that God was not pleased with his

sacrifice but accepted Abel's. He was angry and jealous of his brother and killed him out of envy.
“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground on offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door: and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass , when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”( Genesis 3-5)
This passage relates to Claudius because like Cain he kills his brother because he is jealous of the respect the LORD gave Abel. Claudius admits that he feels guilty after he realizes what he has done and that he can’t take it back. Cain also felt guilty about his actions. Claudius says “A brother’s murderer! ….. What if this cursed hand were thicker than itself with brother’s blood, Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow( lll.iii. 42, 46-49). Both Claudius and Cain knew they had committed a sin that they could not escape. Claudius and Cain relate to the theme jealousy. Cain and Claudius wanted what their brothers had so they killed them and understood they could not be forgiven for their corruption, which is another archetype found in Hamlet and the Bible.
The theme of corruption is also found in the play Hamlet when Hamlet begins to speak about his home, Denmark.

Denmark symbolizes the Garden of Eden found in “The Book of Genesis”. In the Bible the Garden of Eden is a beautiful place that sustained life and had everything needed in order to survive, but is cursed because of disobedience and sins.

“The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of knowledge of good and evil…. “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”...The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”... “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals!””

This passage relates to the land of Denmark because in Hamlet’s eyes Denmark was similar to Eden in the way that Denmark was a peaceful, honest and clean until sins were committed and the land became tainted and corrupt. Hamlet believes the present Denmark is just a ruin of the past since his father’s murder. He

says,
“Tis an unweeded garden, That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature, possess it merely,” (l.ii.38-40). The ghost also speaks abouts what has happened to Denmark that has caused it to become corrupt saying “ Tis given out that sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark is by a forged process of my death, Rankly abused, But know thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.”(I.V. 40-45).
Claudius becomes corrupt when he craves his brother’s crown, wife, and power so intensely that he kills him which leads to creating lies in order to hide what he has done. The need for power has made Claudius crooked.
The character Claudius and the land of Denmark from Shakespeare's Hamlet symbolizes the biblical archetypes Cain and The Garden of Eden from The Book of Genesis. The actions of Claudius have corrupted the garden just like how the actions committed in the garden cursed the garden. Claudius, just like Cain, was jealous of his brother and in order to obtain his power and financial status, he murders him. Cain and Claudius both realize they can’t be completely forgiven for what they have done. Shakespeare’s use of biblical archetypes in Hamlet demonstrates that human nature will not change even though times change.