Of Fear and Faith

“There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow.”

~Hamlet

It’s been awhile since I have read or seen Hamlet, but if memory serves, the titular character makes this statement deciding to enter a “friendly” contest. He’s troubled with foreboding regarding the matter, but sees that this may be the way to avenge his father. The contest is all a guise to murder the hero: Hamlet’s instinct is true, and yet on a deeper level than a gut feeling, he sees providence behind it all, that this may be his chance. He faces the trap, and though it takes his life, the wicked are ensnared by their own devices.

In general, Hamlet decides to be ready: if this is a sign from heaven, he will adhere to what destiny lays out, for what shall be shall be, not later but now. And so seems to be the conclusion to the matter of the play: Hamlet has made his decision, and embraces the opportunity presented to him. If this is the answer though, what was the problem? Hamlet has before missed opportunities, and taken false ones, but now, where he has questioned the revelation of the spiritual, he now rightly judges between fear, what paralyzes, and faith, which he places in God, and in his ability to face the coming trial.