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John Alvis suggests that in Hamlet, Shakespeare alligns himself with Machiavelli at least to the extent that he sees Christianity (or certain forms of Christianity) as a comfort to tyrants. Christians, Machiavelli says, are unresistant to tyranny because they have been taught to wait for the justice of God, to endure evil patiently, and to seek reward in a heavenly kingdom. For Alvis, Hamlet fails to shoulder his responsibilities as prince - overthrowing the usurper the chief among them - because he is of a Christian faith that weakens his resolve. Ultimately, Alvis thinks that Shakespeare parts ways with Machiavelli, pointing not to pagan political strength but to a more politically robust form of Christianity.
An interesting argument, spoiled, however, by Alvis' suggestion that Hamlet is operating by "a Calvinistic insistence upon total depravity resulting from original sin." But the "faith" that Alvis actually sees in Hamlet (hostility to body, sex, and materiality) has more to do with gnosticism than Calvinism.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Monday, August 29, 2005 at 04:58 PM
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