Paul Adrian Fried / HAMLET'S BIBLE

In the second volume of his 1970 book on Shakespeare, Isaac Asimov has some interesting comments about Hamlet and his thoughts on suicide (considerations others have raised as well), and in particular about his "To be or not to be" speech, often assumed (perhaps incorrectly) to be about suicide. THE EVERLASTING FIXED HIS CANON 'GASINST SELF-SLAUGHTER Before considering Asimov's remarks, let's consider Hamlet's references to suicide in the play: We know that in the second scene of Act One, Hamlet endures the show Claudius puts on justifying his hasty marriage to Gertrude, and when alone, he begins: Oh, that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew! Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! (1.2.313-316) Hamlet is saying: If only God had not made laws that not only prohibited killing others, but also prohibited suicide! At least at this moment of the play, he wishes he could k...

In the fall of 1979, Hamlet Studies published a wonderful essay by William Rossky of Temple University titled, "Hamlet as Jeremiah." You can find it here: look for the October 1979 Volume 1.2 . The list of essays below that October issue seems to have the numbering wrong, as 2.1 instead of 1.2, so look for this: Rossky, William. “Hamlet as Jeremiah.” Hamlet Studies 1.2. (1979): 101-108. I have posted in the past on this blog regarding Jonah ( here and here ), and also  John the Baptist (a prophet figure from the Christian scriptures, or "New Testament"), as well as  the prophet Nathan in the King David stories of the Hebrew scriptures (or "Old Testament"). But Rossky's essay wonderfully makes clear that ideas and language from the Book of Jeremiah also influenced the language and ideas of the play. [The Prophet Jerimiah, painted by Michelangelo, circa 1508-12, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Palace, Vatican City; photo public domain by The Yorck Pro...

Last week I posted about #Shakespeare portraying #Hamlet as conforming to the "threefold office" Christ is said to exemplify, which all Christians are said to share: https://pauladrianfried.blogspot.com/2018/09/hamlet-priest-prophet-king-part-1.html More details: 1. PROPHETS in the biblical sense were not so much fortune-tellers as sent by God to speak against sin, often speaking truth to power. Hamlet condemns Denmark's sins* even as John the Baptist condemned Herod's marriage to his brother's ex-wife. 2. PRIESTS in the bible oversaw ritual sacrifice (a dove, a lamb), the meat later used as food. Jesus is called priest as he freely offers himself as sacrifice on the cross, and in Eucharist, offers body and blood as spiritual food and drink. Similarly, Hamlet freely embraces his fate and the possibility of death. 3. KINGS were seen by many in the Renaissance as ruling by divine right; some argue that Hamlet is rightful king. But only after a Jonah-like ...

HAMLET: PRIEST, PROPHET, & KING (part 1) Shakespeare links Hamlet to an ancient tradition that viewed Jesus as priest, prophet, and king, which all Christians share by baptism. This came to be known as the “threefold office.” PROPHET: Like the prophet Nathan who tries to catch King David's conscience in a story, Hamlet attempts this with Claudius in a play. He later has a Jonah-like sea voyage, and his condemnation of Denmark's sins has been compared to language used by other prophets. Like John the Baptist, he opposes a king's incestuous marriage. KING: “It is I, Hamlet the Dane,” he says in the graveyard, revealing himself to the funeral party. Many believe Hamlet here claims his heritage as rightful king. He comes to terms with death and, after the sea-voyage, thinks Providence is on his side. PRIEST: “Let be.” / “The readiness is all.” In conversation with Horatio who is worried that the sword-duel may be a trap, Hamlet shows that he is ready to offer up his...