The Price of Power
Power comes in many different shapes and forms. Whether it is the king of a nation, or a manipulative assassin, or even a pawn granted vengeance, power can be acquired in many ways. This is especially true in Hamlet by Shakespeare, where many different characters acquired their power in many different ways at the detriment of each other and others. In Galatians 5:22, we read about the fruit of the spirit and how God expects humanity to live; in love, peace, goodness, and self control to name a few (Galatians 5:22). In the play, “Hamlet” as Claudius, Hamlet, and Laertes rise to power, it comes at the expense of many others, including themselves, as a consequence for not following the command God has given to humanity.
Claudius is a character driven by greed for power. Being brothers with King Hamlet, Claudius coveted the throne. Eventually his wish comes true, but not without orchestration. Prince Hamlet learns from a
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Laertes returns home on account of his father’s death. Claudius manipulates and deceives Laertes into thinking that it was all Hamlet’s fault and that revenge must be taken. Laertes resolves to do just that by accepting the power Claudius grants him to arrange a sparring match, in which Laertes can poison his sword. Leartes states that all he must do is, “touch my point[on Hamlet] with this contagion, that if I gall him slightly, it may be death” (IV, vii, 147-149). Leartes plans the murder of Hamlet all on account of what Claudius wants him to do. The Bible warns people to protect themselves against such deceit, for John 10:10 states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Laertes dies from the tip of his very sword and in the end, the thief, who is the devil, was successful in instigating the death and destruction of Hamlet and Laertes, for the devil seeks to kill and destroy (John