Religion

As you can probably tell by now, religion plays a large role in Hamlet, both through the actions of the characters, as well as the way in which Elizabethan beliefs and philosophies influenced Shakespeare’s writing (i.e. in a metatheatrical way). Events such as the Reformation of 1517 would have significantly dictated Hamlet’s storytelling. Most significantly, Shakespeare demonstrates a disparity between King Hamlet and Prince Hamlet’s religious beliefs. It is implied that King Hamlet is Catholic, because he died without being forgiven for his sins, and was sent to purgatory as a consequence. However, with Elizabethan English citizens being mandated to join the Protestant church, we see signs that imply that Prince Hamlet is Protestant (unlike his father). Hamlet actually attends Wittenberg University, which was a real university formed by Martin Luther, a very prominent reformer. As a result of their differing beliefs, some internal and external conflict is created with the appearance of the ghost from purgatory. It is this confusion that fuels Hamlet’s contemplation, madness and his self-perpetuating inaction over the course of the play.