1. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

2. Shakespeare Background Review
(both April 23!)
B. Stratford-upon-Avon
Married Anne Hathaway, 8 years his senior and probably of a lower social class than he
Not a lot is known—he left no diaries or letters
Actor and playwright
Owned part of the Globe Theater

3. Wrote 37 plays, over 150 sonnets
One of the greatest lyric poets
wrote in the language of the ordinary people
characters and situations appeal to all social classes, from illiterate peasants to monarchs

4. Shakespeare’s Genius Displays a keen understanding of human nature
Main characters are complex, often revealing ambiguities and person conflicts common to all people
Able to write tragedies, histories, and comedies, and poetry

5. Hamlet
One of the most popular and frequently performed Shakespearean plays
A tragedy, specifically a “revenge” tragedy
most revenge tragedies share same basic elements:
the murder of a benign character, often a ruler
a hero bent on vengeance for a real or imagined injury
a ghost
a descent in to madness
mayhem and chaos
the death of the hero

6. Centered around the universal theme of good vs
Centered around the universal theme of good vs. evil, Hamlet is inhabited by some of Shakespeare’s most psychologically complex characters.
Characters are motivated by the most basic human emotions: love, anger, grief, and despair.
Nothing is simple for these characters—every decision is fraught with complex emotion.

7. May have been inspired by the story told by Saxo Grammaticus in the 12th century.
Hamlet corresponds to the legendary Danish Prince Amleth (try rearranging the letters of Amleth!).
The story was re-told again in the 16th century by French author Francois de Belleforest.
Either of these could have been Shakespeare’s inspiration, though many scholars choose Belleforest’s version, which had been translated into English.

8. Set in Denmark several hundred years before Shakespeare’s time
Most of the action takes place in and around Denmark’s royal castle, Elsinore.
Prince Hamlet, the protagonist of the play, is bent on avenging his father’s death
Shakespeare’s complex characterization of Hamlet as a conflicted, troubled young man resonates with audiences

9. Characters
King Hamlet—dead before the play starts, still has an integral role in the play
Prince Hamlet—son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude
Queen Gertrude—Hamlet’s mother, past and current queen of Denmark
King Claudius—Hamlet’s uncle, married Gertrude after his brother (King Hamlet) died

10. Polonius—counselor to Claudius, Ophelia’s and Laertes’ father
Horatio—Hamlet’s best friend
Laertes—Polonius’ son
Ophelia—Polonius daughter and Hamlet’s sometime girlfriend
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern—Hamlet’s friends

11. Reynaldo—servant and spy for Polonius
Fortinbras—Prince of Norway
Ghost—appears to Hamlet

12. Themes Good vs. Evil Insanity Revenge Betrayal Appearance vs. Reality
Corruption
Dysfunction