Protestant Influences In Shakespeare's Hamlet

The historical context of Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is widely debated, with connections being made towards a variety of religious influences. However, due to the plays continuous’ references to the Protestant religion, the play’s message can be traced back to Martin Luther; a disgruntled monk with a desire for change. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet the use of Protestant principles and allusions of Martin Luther’s 95 theses directly influences the character development of Hamlet, and reinforces the rebellious Protestantism versus the Catholic corruption paradigm in the play. The first Protestant element in The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is introduced very early in the play, which is Prince Hamlet’s education at Wittenberg, the supposed birthplace of Protestantism. This element serves as a basis to Hamlet 's progressive connections to Martin Luther, and because of this allusion’s specific nature and

In this soliloquy, the talk of death and decay is prominent, with the occasional hint at suicide thrown in with it. However, hidden in this soliloquy is a familiar “call to arms”, as Hamlet struggles with the decision to fight or flee he gives this statement: “Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer/ The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/ Or to take arms against a sea of troubles” (3. 1. 58-60). Hamlet gives himself the option to fight back against Claudius, and his aggressiveness resembles that of Martin Luther, who gave himself the same option. The third allusion, was the exile of Hamlet from his home Denmark. This took place because of the murder of Laertes, and as a result Claudius decides to baish Hamlet to England. This directly mirrors Luther 's excommunication from the Catholic Church, who like Hamlet, was punished for his rebellious