Redemption Themes In Hamlet

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Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. It has been studied by many people throughout the ages. Hamlet touches on many different themes: suicide, fratricide, and revenge are the ones most studied. There are, however, many other themes that are not often discussed. Three of these themes are: redemption, moral truth, and a just society. Redemption is seen throughout the play on different levels. Hamlet has been asked by the ghost of his father to avenge his father’s murder at the hand of his uncle, Claudius. His spirit is unable to rest because he hasn’t been given the opportunity to make amends for his sins. Perhaps the most powerful display of redemption is when Claudius is praying for forgiveness. After his prayer is over, Claudius stands up and says: “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” (Act 3, Scene 3) Claudius understands that he cannot find redemption while he is still committing the sins he is trying to repent of. He cannot ask to be
Many of them are hidden in the rich language. One of the most famous moral truths in the play is spoken by Polonius in his advice to his son Laertes. Polonius tells Laertes, “above all, to thine own self be true, but it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” (Act 1, Scene 3) This quote says a lot about integrity and the kind of people we should be. Polonius is encouraging his son to refrain from putting up fronts with people. He is telling him that he should be the same toward every person he meets. Another moral truth that has powerful impact in the play is when Ophelia, after going insane, tells Claudius “we know what we are, but know not what we may be.” (Act 4, Scene 5) This moment of sanity from the insane Ophelia teaches us about our potential. Every person that comes to earth has the potential to be anything they can dream of, as long as they are unafraid to

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