Eucharistic Allusions in Hamlet
UPDATED 1 April, 2026: In Shakespeare’s time as now, the Thursday before Easter (2 April 2026 this year) commemorates the Last Supper [1]. There are many references in Hamlet to the stuff of Eucharist services, or echoes of the Catholic and Protestant ritual commemoration of the Last Supper. These include the following: After Barnardo asks “is Horatio there?” Horatio replies, "A piece of him." Elizabethan Protestants satirized Catholic Eucharist in similar terms: Which piece of Jesus did you get? [2]). The ghost says he died “Unhous'led,” not having received Eucharist in the Last Rites [3]. He says “Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me.” Jesus at the Last Supper: “Do this in memory of me.” [4] Polonius curses (“by the Mass”). This would have been considered blasphemous [5]. When Polonius is inclined to be ungenerous with the players, Hamlet replies, “God’s bodykins, man! Much better!” Some claim that “God’s bodykins” means “Christ’s little bodies,” Eucharist, or all who rece...