Faith vs. Works in Hamlet: Horatio and Marcellus in 1.4

My last post was on "Works vs. Faith" [1], relating to Hamlet changing the death letter on his ship to England.

Salvation by faith and/or works was a hot topic in Shakespeare’s England, much less so today. But an analogy can be found in economics:
- Some advocate Laissez-faire (or “free-market”) economics with minimal guidelines or interventions, a materialistic parallel of salvation by faith.
- Others advocate managed economics (like democratic socialism). This is like faith plus works: basic faith in the system, but more “works” regulating it, and more social safety net to level the playing field.

Some critics and scholars note a reference to a faith vs. works in Act 1, scene 4, when Hamlet wants to follow the ghost and commands his friends not to stop him:

MARCELLUS: Let’s follow. ’Tis not fit thus to obey him.

HORATIO: Have after. To what issue will this come?

MARCELLUS: Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

HORATIO: Heaven will direct it.

MARCELLUS: Nay, let’s follow him.

(1.4.98-102)

Horatio wants to have faith that heaven will direct things to a good end.

Marcellus, a man of action, does not want to leave things to heaven and faith alone: He says nay, let's not assume heaven will direct things; let’s follow.

Though a military man, Marcellus is willing to disobey his prince out of concern for the prince's safety.

This also illustrates how at times authorities must be disobeyed for the greater good - as Marcellus disobeys Prince Hamlet. This is appropriate in a play involving the execution of a (false) usurper-king by a prince and heir to the throne who - at Ophelia's grave - proclaims himself "Hamlet the Dane," a title usually reserved for the king.

One need not have any institutional-religious allegiance for this to make sense: Some might be passive in believing that all will be well in the universe, cynical that our efforts do not matter. Others might not know if the universe directs things, but human beings need to act nonetheless.


NOTES: All references to Shakespeare plays are to the Folger Shakespeare Library online versions: https://shakespeare.folger.edu

IMAGE:

Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus see the Ghost, from 'The Illustrated Library Shakespeare', published London 1890. English School. https://www.meisterdrucke.uk/kunstwerke/1260px/English_School_-_Hamlet_Horatio_and_Marcellus_see_the_Ghost_from_The_Illustrated_Library_Shakespe_-_%28MeisterDrucke-95118%29.jpg
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Disclaimer: If and when I quote or paraphrase bible passages or mention religion in many of my blog posts, I do not intend to promote any religion over another, nor am I attempting to promote religious belief in general; only to explore how the Bible and religion influenced Shakespeare, his plays, and his age.
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Thanks for reading!
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