"In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps"-proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 16:9
"I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I most leave them to the one who comes after me, /...someone who has not worked for it."-words of Solomon
Ecc.2:18, 21
It's difficult to say whether Hamlet's fate was shaped by a "divinity" but there are moments in the play that may lead one to think or argue that is was. For starters, the fact that his father's ghost appears to him, to tell him what had happened in hopes for his him to avenge his death is one factor which leans towards the idea of a "divinity" attempting to shape his fate. There is also the time Hamlet returns from England alive (when in fact Claudius arranged with the King of England to have him killed) to then die by Laertes poisoned sword in the last scene of the play, is another factor which one can argue about regarding his destiny being orchestrated. Later on there was the moment in which Hamlet spoke with a gravedigger who was tossing skulls out of a grave in order to make room for Ophelia's corpse. It was then that Hamlet holds up a skull and realizes how worthless humans really are. This understanding helped him to face life but most of all, death, without any fear. In reading about this, it can be said that perhaps a "divinity" was preparing him for his death which was soon to happen. Finally at the end of the play when everyone is found dead (Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet) young Fortinbras (who has been trying to recapture the land his father forfeited to Hamlet Sr.) is crowned the new King of Denmark without having to battle for it. After looking at the evidence shown throughout the play, I would agree that God did determine Hamlet's course.
I personally believe that God determines where my life will end up. Sure he gives us options to choose from but his choices co inside with his plan. For example, let's say you work as a host for a restaurant and there are four sections of tables in it (each having five). Each section is overseen by a server and each one wants to make money. What do you do? You try your best to seat each section evenly. Problem is, people are going to sit where they want to be not necessarily where you want them to. So, what do you do then? You give people the option to sit where they would like to but your options are restricted to the section you're trying to fill up. You see what I mean? You give people options only to make them think they have the freedom to choose but little do they know that in the grand scheme of things, it's only to suit your purpose. That brings me to this:
"The Lord works out everything for his own ends-even the wicked for a day of disaster"-proverbs of Solomon, Proverbs 16:4
Hamlet said, "There's a divinity that shapes our ends, /Rough-hew them how we will," which may or may not represent a development in his character but if you recall the events which occur later on after saying this, you would think it probably did. Throughout the play I clearly see a development in Hamlet's character from his encounter with his father's ghost to his conversation with a gravedigger. I see Hamlet as a play of one's man journey to reunite with his father and a father who longed to be with his son. In the process of the play, Hamlet learns about the value of man's life on earth, and God. That is probably why the play is entitled "Hamlet." M
Monday, November 17, 2008
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5 comments:
Interesting--Hamlet does seem to want to think his father represents a better world than the one Hamlet lives in...
I do believe that providence shapes our ends but where lies human's hard work, dedication, commitment etc. Hamlet often depended too much on divinity.
Our choices are limited but that's always relative to how many paths a disciplined mind is able to reveal. Hamlet seems to have been more of a tainted martyr.
I don't think Hamlets actions were caused by divine intervention. I just don't think evil acts would come from God. I think it was more of a combination of Hamlet's troubled mind or the ghosts inability to rest in peace.
loved the blog, interesting POV and opened my eyes a bit but i agree with the others in that Hamlets seemed to limit his options and simply choose to follow a "concrete" sort of path,
hope i made sense to you?
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