The Implications of Metaphysical "Doubt" in Shakespeare's Hamlet

In his likening of Shakespeare's Hamlet to a sponge which absorbs all the problems our time[i], Polish poet, critic, and Professor Literature Jan Cott implies that will continue be contemporary no matter what time has passed. The timelessness play derives in first place from its liability re-interpretation re-contextualization different political social circles by virtue humanitarian, existential metaphysical implications. skeptical philosophy background "Knowledge suspicion" seems have had profound impact on Shakespeare he can seen more like an ideological thinker philosopher than simply playwright. Bard problematizes philosophical nature human individual puts into question individual's relation matters decision-making, fate willpower. true moral test soul as plot moves action forward, simultaneously reflects questions relevance knowledge doubt. This article seeks explore points intersection between doubt, lingered over Renaissance throughout seventeenth century. Central evoked revolve around two postulations: whether certainty about is reachable, Prince ourselves are ones who choose destinies or fates pre-determined we cannot change anything but yield full subservience. Of Shakeseare's plays Kott wrote particular: "Hamlet’ sponge. Unless it produced stylised antiquarian fashion, immediately time." His chapter focused performance just after end Stalinism (Stalin hated this play, course). wrote, "here public stage was meant 1956, there then: ‘It drama. Everybody, without exception, being consistently watched… unequivocally with terrifying clarity.’