1. Hamlet some background… some background…

2. Time Period Written in 1599 Written in 1599 Six years before Macbeth Six years before Macbeth Queen Elizabeth elderly – succession in question Queen Elizabeth elderly – succession in question Play set in 1000-1100 – around the time Beowulf was written and the same time period of Macbeth Play set in 1000-1100 – around the time Beowulf was written and the same time period of Macbeth

3. International Affairs Campaigns in Ireland Campaigns in Ireland Queen Elizabeths Navy had repelled an Spanish Armada invasion Queen Elizabeths Navy had repelled an Spanish Armada invasion Hamlet set in Denmark who had invaded in the time period off the play Hamlet set in Denmark who had invaded in the time period off the play

4. Background of play… Other less successful versions Other less successful versions Historical basis in Saxo- Grammaticus history for a similar story Historical basis in Saxo- Grammaticus history for a similar story Similar to the story of Edward the Confessor (character in Macbeth) Similar to the story of Edward the Confessor (character in Macbeth)

5. Succession Most of Shakespeares historical plays deal with this issue Most of Shakespeares historical plays deal with this issue Before hierarchical succession Before hierarchical succession Chosen by nobility Chosen by nobility Right person/bloodline Right person/bloodline Quality leader Quality leader Done properly reflecting divine will Done properly reflecting divine will

6. Events before the drama… Elder Hamlet - strong leader Elder Hamlet - strong leader Defeated Elder Fortinbras of Norway Defeated Elder Fortinbras of Norway Popular king Popular king Hamlets son, Hamlet, is away at college Hamlets son, Hamlet, is away at college Elder Hamlet dies, apparently, from a snake bite Elder Hamlet dies, apparently, from a snake bite Within a month Elder Hamlets brother, Claudius, is named king and marries Elder Hamlets wife, Gertrude. Within a month Elder Hamlets brother, Claudius, is named king and marries Elder Hamlets wife, Gertrude. When young Hamlet returns – hes POed. When young Hamlet returns – hes POed.

7. Ghosts… Shakespearian audiences believed in ghosts Shakespearian audiences believed in ghosts However, these were not ghosts of specific people However, these were not ghosts of specific people However…. they could take the shape of different people like in Macbeth However…. they could take the shape of different people like in Macbeth

8. Chivalry vs. Law Avenge your fathers murderer Avenge your fathers murderer Thou shalt not murder Thou shalt not murder No monarch is above the law…?... No monarch is above the law…?...

9. Jungian Connections Characters assume many personas to get what they want Characters assume many personas to get what they want Desires sublimated for other goals and appearances Desires sublimated for other goals and appearances Shadow personalities develop into complexes Shadow personalities develop into complexes To be or not to be - who I am and what Im supposed to do… To be or not to be - who I am and what Im supposed to do…

10. Other interpretations… Medical - melancholy Medical - melancholy Fatal flaw - inaction, hesitation, irresolution Fatal flaw - inaction, hesitation, irresolution Freudian – Hamlet wants to bed his mamma Freudian – Hamlet wants to bed his mamma Feminist – the mans keeping us down… Feminist – the mans keeping us down…

11. Why so important? Very long Very long Never see the same play twice Never see the same play twice Long monologues Long monologues Fortinbras, Rosencrantz and Gildenstern, Osric, The Players Fortinbras, Rosencrantz and Gildenstern, Osric, The Players Many layers, personas, motivations Many layers, personas, motivations

12. The language…"To be, or not to be" To be, or not to beTo be, or not to be Frailty, thy name is woman! Frailty, thy name is woman! Neither a borrower nor a lender be; Neither a borrower nor a lender be; This above all: to thine own self be true, This above all: to thine own self be true, Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Murder most foul,... Murder most foul,......brevity is the soul of wit,...brevity is the soul of wit, Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't. Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. O, woe is me, O, woe is me, The lady doth protest too much, methinks. The lady doth protest too much, methinks.