1. The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark
By William Shakespeare

2. Hamlet

3. Historical Background
Written by William Shakespeare in 1603 (revised until 1623)
16th/17th century Elizabethans believed in ghosts
Marriage to in-laws was considered incest
Suicide was forbidden; those who killed themselves could not have a holy burial
Most believed in purgatory (work sins off not confessed before death)
Believed God would forgive ALL sins one sincerely repented for

4. Setting
Denmark
A castle in Elsinore
A churchyard

5. Setting
Map of Denmark
Elsinore Castle

6. Characters
Claudius: King of Denmark, married to his late brother’s wife
Hamlet, Sr.: Claudius’ brother
Hamlet: son of the late king, sensitive, indecisive, popular, can be cruel
Gertrude: Hamlet’s mom, Hamlet, Sr.’s wife, Claudius’ wife, concerned about her son

7. Characters
Polonius: father of Laertes and Ophelia, chief advisor to the king; nosy, often foolish
Horatio: Hamlet’s friend; brave and loyal
Laertes: Polonius’ son, Ophelia’s brother, acts before thinking
Ophelia: Polonius’ daughter, Laertes’ sister – is she crazy?

8. Characters The Ghost: ghost of the late king – seeks revenge
Fortinbras: prince of Norway; wants to take over Denmark
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: school friends of Hamlet

9. Motifs Revenge Mortality Appearance vs. Reality Corruption Madness
Sexuality/Incest

10. Literary Elements/Structure
Imagery: esp. w/ disease/decay
Frame story: play within a play
Allusions: Biblical, historical, mythological
Style: blank verse, iambic pentameter w/ end rhymes, mixed with prose (non-poetry) passages
Puns/word play: watch for these!
Soliloquies: long solo speeches
Tragedy: pretty much everyone dies