Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls that must not be saved

Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls that must not be saved

In the works of William Shakespeare, the concept of heaven and salvation is a recurring theme that is often intertwined with the moral dilemmas faced by his characters. The quote "Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls that must not be saved" reflects the complex nature of human existence and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Throughout Shakespeare's plays, characters grapple with questions of morality, redemption, and the afterlife. The idea of heaven as the ultimate reward for a virtuous life is a common motif, as is the fear of damnation for those who commit sinful acts. In many of his tragedies, such as "Macbeth" and "Hamlet," characters are driven to desperate measures in their quest for power and revenge, only to face the consequences of their actions in the form of spiritual damnation.

In "Macbeth," for example, the titular character is consumed by ambition and a thirst for power, leading him to commit regicide and descend into madness. Despite his initial reluctance to murder King Duncan, Macbeth is ultimately swayed by the prophecies of the witches and the manipulations of his wife, Lady Macbeth. As his crimes pile up, Macbeth becomes increasingly isolated and tormented by guilt, ultimately leading to his downfall and death.

Similarly, in "Hamlet," the eponymous prince is haunted by the ghost of his father, who reveals that he was murdered by Hamlet's uncle, Claudius. Hamlet is torn between his duty to avenge his father's death and his own moral qualms about committing murder. As the play unfolds, Hamlet's indecision and internal conflict lead to a tragic chain of events that culminate in the deaths of nearly all the main characters.