* The play opens with the ghost of Hamlet's father, who tells Hamlet that he was murdered by his brother, Claudius. This ghost is often interpreted as a symbol of the Christian belief in the afterlife.
* Hamlet's famous soliloquy, "To be or not to be," includes the line, "Conscience does make cowards of us all." This line suggests that Hamlet believes in a moral conscience that comes from God.
* Hamlet also refers to the Christian concept of purgatory when he says, "The undiscovered country from whose bourn/ No traveller returns." This line suggests that Hamlet believes in a place where souls go after death to be cleansed before entering heaven.
* The play also includes several references to the Bible, such as when Hamlet quotes the line, "The Lord thy God is a jealous God."
These religious references reflect the strong influence of Christianity on Elizabethan England. However, Shakespeare also explores the darker side of religion in the play, such as the role of superstition and hypocrisy in driving people to commit evil acts.
Overall, the religious references in Hamlet provide insight into the spiritual beliefs of Shakespeare and his audience. They also contribute to the play's complex and multi-faceted themes of morality, guilt, and redemption.
In terms of opinions on the church during Shakespeare's time, there was a wide range of views. Some people were devoutly religious, while others were more skeptical. There was also a growing movement of Protestantism, which challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Shakespeare's plays reflect the diversity of religious beliefs in Elizabethan England, and they offer a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the role of religion in society.