First off, I hate explaining poetry. But I realize that this is somewhat obscure. That is–I didn’t think it was obscure, but the general public seems to think it is. What I’m asking of you, the lovely reader, as you read this poem, is that you comment on the content, not the form. (Well, if the form is really egregious, you may comment on it.) I know that this is not one of my better poems formwise. But it’s not really about the form (it was originally a rhyming poem–ugh), it’s about a phenomenon that I can’t really explain in prose.
I have written the following essay as both a Christian and an observer of politics in the Middle East. The political and the religious in this article, therefore, are tied together in the persona of this author. Inasmuch as my belief in the truth of Christianity colors my observations of the world, politics and religion are inseparable for me. However, when contemplating political actions or policy, I make observations and recommendations that I consider discrete to each arena. Some observations apply only to the Church – they should not form a political movement, designed to change the way humans are governed. Some recommendations apply only to the political fields – they involve religion only insofar as I believe they must be in accordance with Biblical values and Christian conscience. The concrescence of the two goes this far. Faith cannot be separated from political actors who hold to it; the actions of the state should, however, not mirror the actions of the Church.
Note: Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 Hamlet is the only unabridged film version of this Shakespeare play. Rated PG-13, it shows several split-second clips of nudity and other sexually implicit scenes, as well as a disturbing amount of blood. As with all films, please use your own judgment in viewing.
In almost any piece of literature, whether sacred or secular, religion and faith are portrayed in some way by the story. Sometimes it is a particular religion; other times, it is merely providence or fate, or even the goodness of man. Shakespeare’s Hamlet has many religious themes, as it is set in a Roman Catholic society. Already in the first scene, Marcellus says:
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For Nick, as he turns seventeen.
Noctivagus
Nimble no-one-knowledge needs
Imminent intervention if
Creating, causing cursed cogitation
Kills compassions, contests candidness.
If insidious isn’t in it,
Slavèd souls, stop senseless saving!
So! Seven Sundays saw such shift:
Even entered envy’s ebb.
Voices vilified: Verboten!
Entered every end of Eden.
Not navigated, nothing’s not new,
Try to touch the tired
Ember. Every effortless entreaty
Ever estimates ennui
Now Nicholas knows: Noctivagus.
