come not upon thee, nor thine on me”. (Act V Scene 2 Line 312-313). He is only willing to offer forgiveness in barter with Hamlet to escape hell. The motive reveals the true nature of Laertes and the condition of his heart. On the other hand, Alfred displays the his self-centeredness after his wife states, “What did she expect, then? That I’ll divorce you and let her marry you? Does she think I’m crazy enough for that – after all you’ve made me go through?” (28). Then Alfred cuts his own throat and commits suicide. This is the ultimate act of selfishness. Taking one’s own life displays the logical conclusion “to thine own self be true”. Jesus teaches ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 KJV). This teaches it is not only setting aside your physical life, it is also includes setting personal security aside for the good of another. This requires stepping outside being true to self to be willing to see life through the eyes of another. Hamlet, Laertes, and Alfred left to their own self to decide what is good. This took them down a path without hope, self-serving and motivated to satisfy only themselves. Their failure is because they did not establish moral standards, accountability, or selflessness. The worldview that self is to be satisfied brings with it destruction of society, culture, and worst of all the soul. Throughout the centuries, the philosophy behind “to thine own self be true” is advertised as the way to bring success, happiness, and contentment. It looks good on the surface but lacks the ability to change life. Jesus said it best when he declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6 NKJ). This leaves no guesswork as to the author of truth or how to find happiness and contentment. “Hamlet thus presents a negative typology of redemptio...
