HamletHamlet

some background…some background…

Time PeriodTime Period►Written in 1599Written in 1599

►Six years before Six years before MacbethMacbeth

►Queen Elizabeth elderly – succession Queen Elizabeth elderly – succession in questionin question

►Play set in 1000-1100 – around the Play set in 1000-1100 – around the time time BeowulfBeowulf was written and the was written and the same time period of same time period of MacbethMacbeth

International AffairsInternational Affairs►Campaigns in Campaigns in

IrelandIreland

►Queen Elizabeth’s Queen Elizabeth’s Navy had repelled Navy had repelled an Spanish Armada an Spanish Armada invasioninvasion

►HamletHamlet set in set in Denmark who had Denmark who had invaded in the time invaded in the time period off the playperiod off the play

Background of play…Background of play…

►Other less successful Other less successful versionsversions

►Historical basis in Saxo-Historical basis in Saxo-Grammaticus history Grammaticus history for a similar storyfor a similar story

►Similar to the story of Similar to the story of Edward the Confessor Edward the Confessor (character in (character in MacbethMacbeth))

SuccessionSuccession

►Most of Shakespeare’s historical plays deal Most of Shakespeare’s historical plays deal with this issuewith this issue

► Before hierarchical successionBefore hierarchical succession

► Chosen by nobilityChosen by nobility Right person/bloodlineRight person/bloodline Quality leaderQuality leader Done properly reflecting divine willDone properly reflecting divine will

Events before the Events before the drama…drama…

►Elder Hamlet - strong leaderElder Hamlet - strong leader Defeated Elder Fortinbras of Norway Defeated Elder Fortinbras of Norway Popular kingPopular king

►Hamlet’s son, Hamlet, is away at collegeHamlet’s son, Hamlet, is away at college►Elder Hamlet dies, apparently, from a Elder Hamlet dies, apparently, from a

snake bitesnake bite►Within a month Elder Hamlet’s brother, Within a month Elder Hamlet’s brother,

Claudius, is named king and marries Claudius, is named king and marries Elder Hamlet’s wife, Gertrude.Elder Hamlet’s wife, Gertrude.

►When young Hamlet returns – he’s When young Hamlet returns – he’s PO’ed.PO’ed.

Ghosts…Ghosts…

►Shakespearian audiences believed in Shakespearian audiences believed in ghosts ghosts

►However, these were not ghosts of However, these were not ghosts of specific peoplespecific people

►However…. they could take the shape However…. they could take the shape of different people like in of different people like in MacbethMacbeth

Chivalry vs. LawChivalry vs. Law

►Avenge your father’s murdererAvenge your father’s murderer

►Thou shalt not murderThou shalt not murder

►No monarch is above the law…?...No monarch is above the law…?...

Jungian Jungian ConnectionsConnections

►Characters assume many personas to Characters assume many personas to get what they wantget what they want

►Desires sublimated for other goals and Desires sublimated for other goals and appearancesappearances

►Shadow personalities develop into Shadow personalities develop into complexes complexes

► ‘‘To be or not to be’ - who I am and To be or not to be’ - who I am and what I’m supposed to do…what I’m supposed to do…

Other interpretations…Other interpretations…

►Medical - melancholyMedical - melancholy

►Fatal flaw - inaction, hesitation, Fatal flaw - inaction, hesitation, irresolutionirresolution

►Freudian – Hamlet wants to bed his Freudian – Hamlet wants to bed his mammamamma

►Feminist – the man’s keeping us down…Feminist – the man’s keeping us down…

Why so important?Why so important?

►VeryVery long long►Never see the same play twiceNever see the same play twice►Long monologuesLong monologues►Fortinbras, Rosencrantz and Fortinbras, Rosencrantz and

Gildenstern, Osric, The PlayersGildenstern, Osric, The Players►Many layers, personas, motivationsMany layers, personas, motivations

The language…"To be, or not to The language…"To be, or not to be" 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 Though this be madness, yet there is

method in 't.method in 't. ► There is nothing either good or bad but There is nothing either good or bad but

thinking makes it so.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.