The intention of this work was to analyse William Shakespeare's opinion about evil by linking his religious background and biblical quotations to deeds which appear throughout Shakespeare's plays.
Maybe such a great playwright as Shakespeare knew more about the meaning of the word "evil" as we do.
Table of Contents
Evil – a Word so Difficult to Define
1 Shakespeare’s Source of Inspiration
2 Appearance of Evil in Shakespeare’s Plays
2.1 Incest
2.1.1 “Hamlet”: Claudius and Gertrude
2.1.2 “Pericles”: Antiochus and His Daughter
2.1.3 Summary
2.2 Pessimism
2.2.1 “Hamlet”: The Prince Himself
2.2.2 Summary
2.3 Murder
2.3.1 “Hamlet”: Claudius
2.3.2 “Macbeth”: Macbeth and His Lady
2.3.3 Summary
3 Conclusion
Not even Shakespeare Knew more about It
Objectives and Themes
This work explores the nature of evil in selected plays by William Shakespeare, investigating how the playwright's religious background and his era's moral conventions influenced his portrayal of villainous characters and sinful acts. The central research aim is to determine whether Shakespeare's depictions of evil reflect his personal convictions or merely serve as plot devices.
- The influence of Protestant and Christian ethics on Shakespeare's writing.
- Categorical analysis of evil deeds: Incest, Pessimism, and Murder.
- The recurring motif of divine retribution and heavenly justice.
- The specific case studies of Hamlet, Pericles, and Macbeth.
- The societal and religious significance of regicide in the Elizabethan era.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1 “Hamlet”: Claudius and Gertrude
“[…] father and mother is man and wife; man and wife is one flesh […].” This is a quote from one of the greatest and best-known Shakespearean plays, “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”. This play deals with the topic of the young Prince of Denmark, whose father Old Hamlet has just passed away. After Old Hamlet’s death, his brother Claudius almost immediately marries Gertrude, Old Hamlet’s widow, supposedly to keep the Danish Empire strong against attacks from foreign countries, particularly the Norwegian forces under Fortinbras. However, during the play, Young Hamlet discovers that his father did not die a natural death, but has been killed scrupulously by Claudius, who wanted to seize power in the empire. Later on Young Hamlet decides to take revenge on his father’s murderer, but has to face many more displeasures until he succeeds.
Roughly knowing the plot of the play, at first glance, one would not say this is a play about incest, and it certainly is true that it was not Shakespeare’s intention to write a play about incest, but there are some scenes in which incest appears and is strongly criticised within the play.
Summary of Chapters
Evil – a Word so Difficult to Define: This chapter introduces the philosophical challenge of defining evil, relating common perceptions to moral conventions and religious guidelines like the Ten Commandments.
1 Shakespeare’s Source of Inspiration: This section examines Shakespeare's background as a religious, Protestant man and how his familiarity with the Bible informs his characterizations of evil.
2 Appearance of Evil in Shakespeare’s Plays: This chapter provides a systematic analysis of evil through specific categories: incest, pessimism, and murder, using selected plays as evidence.
2.1 Incest: An analysis of how incestuous relationships are portrayed as sinful and subject to divine punishment in "Hamlet" and "Pericles".
2.2 Pessimism: This chapter investigates suicidal thoughts and pessimism in "Hamlet," questioning if they represent blasphemy against God-given life.
2.3 Murder: An examination of murder as a pattern of evil, focusing on the distinction between regular homicide and the blasphemous act of regicide in "Hamlet" and "Macbeth".
3 Conclusion: The author summarizes the findings, concluding that Shakespearean evil is deeply rooted in Christian theology and essentially linked to the concept of blasphemy.
Not even Shakespeare Knew more about It: This final reflection suggests that Shakespeare's work reflects a shared human understanding of morality, potentially governed by divine influence.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Evil, Christian belief, Protestantism, Hamlet, Macbeth, Pericles, Incest, Pessimism, Murder, Regicide, Blasphemy, Divine retribution, Moral conventions, Sin
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on identifying and analyzing the patterns of evil depicted in William Shakespeare’s plays through the lens of Christian ethics and religious beliefs prevalent in his time.
Which thematic categories are central to the analysis?
The central thematic categories are incest, pessimism (including suicidal tendencies), and murder, which are analyzed as manifestations of evil.
What is the main research question of this study?
The study aims to determine whether the depictions of evil in Shakespeare's works represent the playwright's personal moral stance or if they are purely functional tools to advance the plot.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a literary analysis method, examining text passages, biblical allusions, and character arcs to draw conclusions about recurring patterns of evil.
What content is covered in the main body?
The main body performs a detailed examination of "Hamlet," "Pericles," and "Macbeth," classifying the actions of characters such as Claudius, Gertrude, Antiochus, and Macbeth as evil or sinful based on religious doctrines.
How would you characterize the keywords of this work?
The keywords highlight the intersection of classical literature and theology, focusing on Shakespearean drama, the nature of sin, and the historical religious context of the works.
Why does the author consider regicide to be a special category of evil?
The author argues that killing a king is not just murder, but an act of blasphemy, as sovereigns were considered direct representatives of God on earth.
What is the significance of the "fire from heaven" in the analysis of "Pericles"?
The author interprets this event as an example of heavenly vengeance, underscoring the idea that sinful behavior in Shakespeare's plays inevitably leads to divine retribution.
Does the author conclude that Hamlet is an evil character?
No, the author suggests that while Hamlet exhibits symptoms of pessimism and commits killings, his actions are complex and often linked to the pursuit of justice, leaving his moral classification debatable.
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- Marco Schönberger (Autor:in), 2011, The Demonic Nature of Evil in Shakespeare's Plays, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/265676
