William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Basic Background Information 1600-01 first performed 1603 first printed The plot of the play is not complex. It progresses in a linear fashion, with all events happening in chronological order.

Detailed Background Information Loosely based on Danish history, the play most likely has its origins in Histoires Tragiques, written by Belle-Forest in 1570; much of Belle-Forest's information is drawn from the Historica Danica, written by Saxo Grammaticus in 1208.

The Play

Basic Plot Structure The basic structure of the plot of Hamlet is remarkably simple; a wrong occurs and the hero seeks revenge to make it right. In the process, everyone is destroyed. Shakespeare develops the plot of his "revenge" tragedy in classical form. Act I is largely expository in nature, introducing the main characters and the conflict. Acts II, III, and IV contain the rising action of the plot as the conflict develops, largely in Hamlet's mind. Act V contains the climax, a short period of falling action, and the denouement, or conclusion, in which Fortinbras takes control of Denmark to bring order to the country once again. The genre of "revenge tragedy" was immensely popular among English Elizabethan dramatists. In typical revenge tragedies, such as Hamlet, the plot arises largely out of a situation for which the hero is not responsible. Additionally, even though the hero may have a tragic flaw that contributes to his downfall, he is usually undone by circumstances over which he has no control.

Themes in Hamlet Religion & the Otherworldly Disease and Corruption Fortune, Fate, Providence Impossibility of Certainty Mortality Complexity of Action

Motifs Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text's major themes.

Motifs & Questions: The Theme of Vengeance Appearance vs. Reality Some things to consider: Is Hamlet Crazy? Why does Hamlet Hesitate? Is life worth living? What is love? What is Hamlet’s tragic flaw?

Motif of Misogyny Hamlet becomes extremely cynical, even neurotic, about women in general, showing a particular obsession with what he perceives to be a connection between female sexuality and moral corruption. This motif of misogyny, or hatred of women, occurs only sporadically throughout the play, but it is an important inhibiting factor in Hamlet's relationships with Ophelia and Gertrude.

Motif of Ears and Hearing One facet of Hamlet's exploration of the difficulty of attaining true knowledge is slipperiness of language. Words are used to communicate ideas, but they can also be used to distort the truth, manipulate other people, and serve as tools in corrupt quests for power. The sinister uses of words are represented by images of ears and hearing, from Claudius's murder of the king by pouring poison into his ear to Hamlet's claim to Horatio that "I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb".

Symbols Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Different Aspects of Death Yorick’s Skull Different Aspects of Death Decay of the Human Body

Hamlet Characters

Hamlet The Prince of Denmark, the title character, and the protagonist. About thirty years old at the start of the play, Hamlet is the son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, and the nephew of the present king, Claudius.

Claudius The King of Denmark, Hamlet's uncle, and the play's antagonist. The villain of the play, Claudius is a calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power, but he occasionally shows signs of guilt and human feeling—his love for Gertrude, for instance, seems sincere.

Gertrude The Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, recently married to Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than moral rectitude or truth.

Polonius The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court, a pompous, conniving old man. Polonius is the father of Laertes and Ophelia.

Horatio Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the prince at the university in Wittenberg. Horatio is loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet's death, Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet's story.

Ophelia Polonius's daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Ophelia is a sweet and innocent young girl, who obeys her father and her brother, Laertes.

Laertes Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, a young man who spends much of the play in France. Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil for the reflective Hamlet.

Fortinbras The young Prince of Norway, whose father the king (also named Fortinbras) was killed by Hamlet's father (also named Hamlet). Now Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father's honor, making him another foil for Prince Hamlet.

The Ghost The specter of Hamlet's recently deceased father. The ghost, who claims to have been murdered by Claudius, calls upon Hamlet to avenge him.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Two slightly bumbling courtiers, former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior.

The Acts!

Hamlet, Act I Scene 1: The Ghost, the setting & context Scene 2: Claudius, Gertrude, & Hamlet Scene 3: Laertes, Ophelia, & Polonius Scenes 4 & 5: Hamlet and the Ghost

Hamlet, Act II Scene 1: Polonius and Reynaldo Scene 2: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Polonius, Gertrude, and Claudius Polonius and Hamlet Hamlet and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Hamlet and the Players

Hamlet, Act III Scene 1: The plot thickens; Hamlet and Ophelia Hamlet and the Players Hamlet and Horatio Hamlet and Ophelia The Play within a Play Scene 3: Claudius’s Prayer Scene 4: Hamlet & Gertrude; Polonius slain

Hamlet, Act IV Scene 1: Disposing of the corpse Scene 2: Hamlet and Rosencrantz & Guildlenstern Scene 3: In search of the corpse Hamlet and Cladius Hamlet departs for England

Hamlet, Act IV Scene 4: Fortinbras marches; Hamlet reflects Scene 5: Ophelia’s “madness” Laertes “storms” the castle Laertes and Ophelia Scene 6: Letter from Hamlet re: pirate ship Scene 7: Cladius and Laertes conspire Ophelia dies

Hamlet, Act V Scene 1: Scene 2: Clown and gravedigger Hamlet and Yorick Ophelia’s burial Scene 2: Hamlet explains his trick Osric invites Hamlet to fencing match Madness and mayhem ensue Fortinbras claims Denmark