The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.2015 Wednesday, 7 December 2005
From: Bill Arnold <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Tuesday, 6 Dec 2005 18:50:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Celtic or English Folklore Purgatory
Thanks to Peter Bridgman, perhaps the premise of Shakespeare's Hamlet
might be brought into a more proper focus. Note online, the Celtic or
English Folklore Purgatory which Prince Hamlet refers to in Act One,
Scene 5, lines 136-143:
Hamlet:
Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio,
And much offence too. Touching this vision here,
It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you:
For your desire to know what is between us,
O'ermaster 't as you may. and now, good friends,
As you are friends, scholars and soldiers,
Give me one poor request...
Never make know what you have seen to-night.
If Peter is correct, that this is a direct reference to the Celtic
Purgatory aka Folklore Afterworld Beliefs, then Shakespeare's Hamlet
rests on the Ancient Greek Mysteries which long predate Christian
doctrine on the subject. These ancient mysteries were taught in caves,
hence underground, and all participants were sworn to secrecy.
Certainly, this puts a whole new spin of interpretation upon
Shakespeare's Hamlet.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/ffcc/ffcc310.htm
Bill Arnold
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