There seems to be a theme of how all the characters feel inside. Hamlet obviously is very confused and feels that he has sinned. King Claudius raves about how he is a wretched soul and his sins torture him. Gertrude says that her eyes turn "into [her] very soul and there [she] sees such black and grained spots." Obviously the ghost of King Hamlet is portrayed in like manner by the way he speaks of his future in hell. Interesting theme in the story.
This, in essence goes along with what Latter Day Saints believe. Many, like Nephi in the Book of Mormon, scream "O wretched man that I am!" (see 2 Ne 4:17) But we know that the Lord Jesus Christ has suffered for our sins and sorrows and we can be forgiven. (Hints of this belief is found throughout the play. Hamlet lines 2552-3 and King Claudius)
Good catch! "Confess yourself to heaven;
ReplyDeleteRepent what's past; avoid what is to come;
And do not spread the compost on the weeds
To make them ranker." I didn't notice that religious reference before.