It is known that William Shakespeare did not follow or support any one religion. However, he evidently had a great deal of religious education. In his play, Hamlet, Shakespeare uses his knowledge of religion and culture to manipulate the reactions of the audience for which it was originally intended.
             The beginning of the play reveals that Hamlet has just returned from University in Wittenberg. This is no coincidence being that only several decades before the writing of Hamlet, Martin Luther posted his 95-point thesis at the church of Wittenberg. This thesis that had no doubt changed religious life throughout Europe, and was Christianities most significant reformation in history.
             Hamlet takes on the role of the spiritual reformer of the Castle in Elsinore. King Claudius has corrupted the divine position of the Monarchy. Claudius murdered his own brother King Hamlet, and married his brother's wife Gertrude. Both common and religious law forbids this ring of murder and adultery. Hamlet is the only one in the castle or kingdom that attempts to question the validity of Claudius as king. Everyone else is either apathetic or unaware of the twisted path Claudius took to controlling the thrown.
             Claudius is the antichrist of everything the church stands for. He is deserving of the death penalty for the transgressions he committed. Following the death of Polonius, Laertes states to Claudius " Cut his throat I'th' church!" (4.7.127). He is referring to killing Hamlet even if it were within the building of a church. Laertes wants to avenge the death of his father by murdering Hamlet. Having little or no respect for Christianity, he is willing to commit murder even if it were within the holy confines of a church. This was certainly a shocking statement to be said in the early 1600's in England.
             In contrast, Hamlet refuses to kill Claudius while Claudius is kneeling during prayer.
             " A villain kills my fathe...