Hamlet

Background written sometime between 1598 and 1602 –probably roughly midpoint in Shakespeare's career

Revenge Tragedy derived from ancient Roman tragedies of Seneca (4 b.c.e.—65 c.e.) drama in which dominant motive is revenge for real or imagined injury

Basic Elements of Senecan Revenge Tragedy a wronged hero detailed accounts of horrible deeds long reflective soliloquies the gods rarely appear

ghosts and witches abound the corpse-strewn climax favorite form in Elizabethan and Jacobean eras

Basic Elements of English Revenge Tragedy hero violently wronged justified in seeking revenge revenge aimed at opponent equal in power and cunning

action conducted in atmosphere of gloom and terror supernatural elements beloved of hero involved is an innocent obstacle to his revenge

a counterplot (or subplot) –started by the antagonist to defend himself –engulfs the hero just as his vengeance was accomplished

outcome for the hero –hero would achieve “poetic justice” on earth –hero would also be punished by Heaven for sin of murder

Elements in Hamlet Derived from Senecan Revenge Tragedy the murdered father the ghostly apparitions the mad scene the bloody finale

Hamlet

Prince of Denmark Son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet. The model courtier, sensitive, intelligent. Enjoys popularity. Believed to be mad in order to conceal his real plans

Is enigmatic in his doubts and delayed revenge. Ghost of his father asks him to avenge him Shows himself at last as courageous and decisive in dealing with his enemies. Upset by his mother’s marriage to his uncle.

The Ghost Late King Hamlet, doomed to walk the earth by night

Queen Gertrude

Mother of Prince Hamlet Widow of King Hamlet Now married to her husbands brother Portrayed as weak, guilt- ridden, and concerned about her son.

Brother of King Hamlet and is King of Denmark Married his sister-in- law. Plots to kill Hamlet King Claudius

Is clever, hypocritical and gifted at dissembling. Appears majestic and commanding. Suffers occasional pangs of guilt for his crime, but can’t bring himself to repent.

Ophelia

Daughter of Polonius, and sister of Laertes. Portrayed as sweet, innocent and obedient. Love interest to Hamlet. Goes mad

Laertes

Polonius’ son, and Ophelia’s Brother. Manipulated by Claudius into exacting revenge on Hamlet for Polonius’ death Foil character to Hamlet

Polonius

Father of Laertes and Ophelia. Lord Chamberlain and Advisor to king Claudius. Is moralistic and meddlesome.

Frequently spies on people, either directly or indirectly Believes Hamlet’s madness is caused by his love for Ophelia.

Horatio

Friend of Hamlet and schoolmate at Wittenberg. Respected as a scholar, and is called upon to banish the ghost. Brave, and loyal Tells the events of the ending

Rosencrantz and Gildenstern

Childhood friends of Hamlet. Recruited by Claudius to discover cause of Hamlet’s madness Ordered to escort Hamlet to England

Fortinbras

Prince of Norway Father conquered by king Hamlet and seeks revenge. Named heir to the throne of Denmark

Francisco, Marcellus and Bernardo Danish soldiers who first spot the ghost.

Osric Young, foppish courtier who is mocked by Hamlet and Horatio for his affections.

Polonius’ servant who has been sent to spy on Laertes in France Reynaldo

Voltemand and Cornelius Danish courtires who serve as Claudius’ ambassadors to old Norway.

Player King and Player Queen Act the part of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude in the play-within-a-play

Themes

Revenge Ghost of King Hamlet introduces the theme. He also spurs it on for Hamlet Prominent in Hamlet’s hesitation to kill Claudius at his prayers and in his bitter reproaches of his mother.

Theme serves to undermine the plots of Claudius and Laertes in Act IV.

Mortality Hamlet grapples with mortality. His first and third soliloquy touch on this theme in his contemplation of suicide. Hamlet comes to term with it in Act V, scene ii, when he tells Horatio “the readiness is all.”

Appearance and Reality Paradoxically, Hamlet’s dislike of outward show and his pretense of madness combine to develop this theme.

Theme is highlighted by Claudius’s habitual dissembling, the hypocrisy and flattery of the courtiers, and the numerous scenes of spying and eaves dropping Hamlet’s instructions to the players and the presentation of the play-within-a-play.

Linguistic variations of the theme recur in numerous puns, especially in scenes involving Hamlet.

Corruption Shown through Claudiu’s guilt and Hamlet’s perception of Gertrude’s lust. Hamlet generalizes corruption to include the moral flaws at court.

The theme is underscored in images of disease and poison. Emphasis on the body’s decay after death in V, I. Reinforces the theme on a biological level

Madness Introduced with Hamlet’s “antic” behavior after he sees the ghost Hemlet’s pretense of madness dominates his public behavior. Hamlet’s feigned madness is poignantly juxtaposed to Ophelia’s true insanity.

Doubt Especially prominent in the soliloquies of Hamlet. Related to the issue of decisiveness versus cowardice in Hamlet’s character

Mystery and Intrigue A play of questions Mystery of the ghost Is Hamlet crazy Who killed King Hamlet? When will Hamlet get his revenge

Several Characters spy on each other –Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spy on Hamlet for Claudius –Hamlet has actors perform a murder play so he can spy on Claudius

Philosophy How does moral man live in a corrupt world? How does intelligence and sensitivity co-exist with pain and suffering in the world? What is the meaning of death?