HamletHamletbyby

William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareSource: https://www.tes.co.uk/

Somewhat adaptedSomewhat adapted

PublicationPublicationWritten during the first part of the Written during the first part of the

seventeenth century (probably in 1600 or seventeenth century (probably in 1600 or 1601), 1601), HamletHamlet was probably first was probably first performed in July 1602. It was first performed in July 1602. It was first published in printed form in 1603 and published in printed form in 1603 and appeared in an enlarged edition in 1604. appeared in an enlarged edition in 1604.

SettingSetting

The story takes place in The story takes place in

the country of Denmark the country of Denmark

in the medieval period in the medieval period

(1200).(1200).

Literary genre: dramaLiterary genre: dramaType of plot: romantic Type of plot: romantic

tragedytragedyMain Characters: Main Characters:

Claudius, King of Denmark Claudius, King of Denmark Hamelt, son of the late king and Claudius’s Hamelt, son of the late king and Claudius’s

nephewnephewGertrude, Hamlet’s motherGertrude, Hamlet’s motherPolonius , Claudius’s chief counsellorPolonius , Claudius’s chief counsellorLaertes and Ophelia, his childrenLaertes and Ophelia, his childrenFortinbras, Prince of NorwayFortinbras, Prince of NorwayHoratio, friend of HamletHoratio, friend of HamletGhost of Hamlet’s fatherGhost of Hamlet’s father

The StoryThe StoryHamlet's father, the king of Denmark has Hamlet's father, the king of Denmark has

been dead for only two months, when his been dead for only two months, when his mother, queen Gertrude, has married her mother, queen Gertrude, has married her brother in law, Claudius, who has now brother in law, Claudius, who has now become king. A ghost, that looks like the become king. A ghost, that looks like the late king of Denmark, tells Hamlet his late king of Denmark, tells Hamlet his father has been murdered by Claudius father has been murdered by Claudius who poured poison in his ear while he was who poured poison in his ear while he was sleeping in his garden. He asks Hamlet to sleeping in his garden. He asks Hamlet to avenge him, but to leave his mother's avenge him, but to leave his mother's punishment to heaven.punishment to heaven.

First ActFirst Act Act 1 opens “in the middle of the things”. In Act 1 opens “in the middle of the things”. In

Denmark, king Hamlet dies misteriously while Denmark, king Hamlet dies misteriously while his son Hamlet is away, studying at the his son Hamlet is away, studying at the University of Wittenberg. So Claudius, the dead University of Wittenberg. So Claudius, the dead king’s brother, takes over the throne and king’s brother, takes over the throne and marries the newly widow Gertrude. Prince marries the newly widow Gertrude. Prince Hamlet is disgusted to discover his mother’s Hamlet is disgusted to discover his mother’s marriage to a man he considers much less marriage to a man he considers much less worth than his father. A Ghost tells the Prince worth than his father. A Ghost tells the Prince that he has returned to demand revenge for his that he has returned to demand revenge for his death. The Ghost tells the Prince that the death. The Ghost tells the Prince that the murderer is Claudius.murderer is Claudius.

Second ActSecond ActHamlet pretends to be mad so that he Hamlet pretends to be mad so that he

can carry out his plans more easily. can carry out his plans more easily. Hamlet arranges for a troupe of actors, Hamlet arranges for a troupe of actors, who have come to provide entertainment who have come to provide entertainment for the court, to perform "the murder of for the court, to perform "the murder of Gonzago", a play whose story is similar Gonzago", a play whose story is similar to the one revealed by the ghost. Hamlet to the one revealed by the ghost. Hamlet laid this trap for Claudius and to test the laid this trap for Claudius and to test the truth of the Ghost’s accusation.truth of the Ghost’s accusation.

Third ActThird ActThe play is presented: the king rises The play is presented: the king rises

and rushes away. That confirms and rushes away. That confirms Claudius’s guilt! While going to his Claudius’s guilt! While going to his mother's bedroom, Hamlet sees the mother's bedroom, Hamlet sees the king praying, but doesn't kill him, so king praying, but doesn't kill him, so that he will not be saved because in that he will not be saved because in state of grace. During an argument state of grace. During an argument with his mother, Hamlet kills Polonius with his mother, Hamlet kills Polonius who is hiding behind a curtain who is hiding behind a curtain listening to their conversation. listening to their conversation.

Fourth ActFourth ActOphelia goes mad and drowns Ophelia goes mad and drowns herself. Her brother Laertes wants herself. Her brother Laertes wants revenge and the king plots his death revenge and the king plots his death in a duel with Laertes.in a duel with Laertes.A fencing match is organized by the A fencing match is organized by the king between Hamlet and Ophelia’s king between Hamlet and Ophelia’s brother, Laertes.brother, Laertes.

Fifth ActFifth Act The duel follows. Hamlet is urged to drink a The duel follows. Hamlet is urged to drink a

poisoned drink prepared by Claudius, but he poisoned drink prepared by Claudius, but he does not. The Queen unaware drinks the wine, does not. The Queen unaware drinks the wine, Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poisoned tip of Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poisoned tip of his sword, then the swords are exchanged and his sword, then the swords are exchanged and Hamlet wounds Laertes. The Queen dies, Hamlet wounds Laertes. The Queen dies, Laertes falls and denounces the king who is Laertes falls and denounces the king who is finally stabbed by Hamlet. Both the king and finally stabbed by Hamlet. Both the king and Laertes die. Hamlet asks Horatio to tell his story. Laertes die. Hamlet asks Horatio to tell his story. Fortinbras takes possession of the kingdom after Fortinbras takes possession of the kingdom after having given military honours to Hamlet.having given military honours to Hamlet.

HamletHamlet The Prince of The Prince of

Denmark, the title Denmark, the title character, and the character, and the protagonist. protagonist.

Hamlet is the son of Hamlet is the son of Queen Gertrude and Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, the late King Hamlet, and the nephew of the and the nephew of the present king, present king, Claudius.Claudius.

Hamlet continuedHamlet continuedHamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical,

full of hatred for his uncle's scheming full of hatred for his uncle's scheming and disgust for his mother‘s behaviour. A and disgust for his mother‘s behaviour. A reflective and thoughtful young man who reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of has studied at the University of Wittenberg, Hamlet is sometimes Wittenberg, Hamlet is sometimes indecisive and hesitant, but at other indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash and impulsive acts.times prone to rash and impulsive acts.

ClaudiusClaudius The King of Denmark, The King of Denmark,

Hamlet's uncle, and Hamlet's uncle, and the play's antagonist. the play's antagonist. The villain of the play, The villain of the play, Claudius is a Claudius is a calculating, ambitious calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his politician, driven by his lust for power, but he lust for power, but he occasionally shows occasionally shows signs of guilt and signs of guilt and human feeling—his human feeling—his love for Gertrude, for love for Gertrude, for instance, seems instance, seems sincere.sincere.

GertrudeGertrude The Queen of Denmark, The Queen of Denmark,

Hamlet's mother, Hamlet's mother, recently married to recently married to Claudius. Gertrude loves Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet deeply, but she Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak is a shallow, weak woman who seeks woman who seeks affection and status affection and status more urgently than more urgently than moral rectitude or truth.moral rectitude or truth.

PoloniusPolonius The Lord Chamberlain The Lord Chamberlain

of Claudius's court, a of Claudius's court, a pompous, conniving pompous, conniving /kəˈnaɪvɪŋ//kəˈnaɪvɪŋ/ * * old man. old man. Polonius is the father Polonius is the father of Laertes and of Laertes and Ophelia.Ophelia.

*behaving in a way that secretly hurts others *behaving in a way that secretly hurts others (in Italiano: subdolo, infido)(in Italiano: subdolo, infido)

HoratioHoratio Hamlet's close friend, Hamlet's close friend,

who studied with the who studied with the prince at the university prince at the university in Wittenberg. Horatio in Wittenberg. Horatio is loyal and helpful to is loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet's play. After Hamlet's death, Horatio remains death, Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet's alive to tell Hamlet's story.story.

OpheliaOphelia Polonius's daughter, Polonius's daughter,

a beautiful young a beautiful young woman with whom woman with whom Hamlet has been in Hamlet has been in love. Ophelia is a love. Ophelia is a sweet and innocent sweet and innocent young girl, who young girl, who obeys her father and obeys her father and her brother, Laertes. her brother, Laertes.

LaertesLaertes Polonius's son and Polonius's son and

Ophelia's brother, a Ophelia's brother, a young man who spends young man who spends much of the play in much of the play in France. Passionate and France. Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil* for the clearly a foil* for the reflective Hamlet.reflective Hamlet.

**foil (for somebody/something)foil (for somebody/something) a person or  a person or thing that contrasts with, and therefore emphasizes, thing that contrasts with, and therefore emphasizes, the qualities of another person or thing.the qualities of another person or thing.

FortinbrasFortinbras The young Prince of The young Prince of

Norway, whose father Norway, whose father the king (also named the king (also named Fortinbras) was killed by Fortinbras) was killed by Hamlet's father (also Hamlet's father (also named Hamlet). Now named Hamlet). Now Fortinbras wishes to Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark in attack Denmark in revenge for his father's revenge for his father's assassination, making assassination, making him another foil for him another foil for Prince Hamlet.Prince Hamlet.

The GhostThe Ghost The specter of The specter of

Hamlet's recently Hamlet's recently deceased father. deceased father. The ghost, who The ghost, who claims to have been claims to have been murdered by murdered by Claudius, calls upon Claudius, calls upon Hamlet to take Hamlet to take revenge on him.revenge on him.

The Ghost continuedThe Ghost continued It is not entirely certain whether the It is not entirely certain whether the

ghost is what it appears to be, or ghost is what it appears to be, or whether it is something else. Hamlet whether it is something else. Hamlet speculates that the ghost might be a speculates that the ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder, and the question of what into murder, and the question of what the ghost is or where it comes from is the ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved.never definitively resolved.

RosencrantzRosencrantz andand Guildenstern Guildenstern

Two slightly bumbling Two slightly bumbling courtiers, former courtiers, former friends of Hamlet friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who from Wittenberg, who are summoned by are summoned by Claudius and Claudius and Gertrude to discover Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior. strange behavior.

ThemesThemes

Themes are the Themes are the

fundamental and fundamental and

often universal often universal

ideas explored in a ideas explored in a

literary work. literary work.

Theme of CertaintyTheme of CertaintyWhat separates What separates HamletHamlet from other from other

revenge plays (and maybe from every revenge plays (and maybe from every play written before it) is that the action play written before it) is that the action we expect to see, particularly from we expect to see, particularly from Hamlet himself, is continually postponed Hamlet himself, is continually postponed while Hamlet tries to obtain more certain while Hamlet tries to obtain more certain knowledge about what he is doing. This knowledge about what he is doing. This play poses many questions that other play poses many questions that other plays would simply take for granted.plays would simply take for granted.

QuestionsQuestions Can we have Can we have

certain knowledge certain knowledge about ghosts? Is about ghosts? Is the ghost what it the ghost what it appears to be, or is appears to be, or is it really a it really a misleading friend? misleading friend? Does the ghost Does the ghost have reliable have reliable knowledge about knowledge about its own death? its own death?

More QuestionsMore Questions Moving to more earthly matters: How can we Moving to more earthly matters: How can we

know for certain the facts about a crime that know for certain the facts about a crime that has no witnesses? Can Hamlet know the state has no witnesses? Can Hamlet know the state of Claudius's soul by watching his behavior? If of Claudius's soul by watching his behavior? If so, can he know the facts of what Claudius did so, can he know the facts of what Claudius did by observing the state of his soul? Can by observing the state of his soul? Can Claudius (or the audience) know the state of Claudius (or the audience) know the state of Hamlet's mind by observing his behavior and Hamlet's mind by observing his behavior and listening to his speech? Can we know whether listening to his speech? Can we know whether our actions will have the consequences we our actions will have the consequences we want them to have? Can we know anything want them to have? Can we know anything about the afterlife?about the afterlife?

UncertaintyUncertaintyMany people have seen Many people have seen HamletHamlet as a play as a play

about indecisiveness, and thus about about indecisiveness, and thus about Hamlet's failure to act appropriately. It Hamlet's failure to act appropriately. It might be more interesting to consider might be more interesting to consider that the play shows us how many that the play shows us how many uncertainties our lives are built upon, uncertainties our lives are built upon, how many unknown things are taken for how many unknown things are taken for granted when people act or when they granted when people act or when they evaluate one another's actions.evaluate one another's actions.

Theme of ActionTheme of Action Directly related to the Directly related to the

theme of certainty is theme of certainty is the theme of action. the theme of action. How is it possible to How is it possible to take reasonable, take reasonable, effective, purposeful effective, purposeful action? In action? In Hamlet,Hamlet, the the question of how to act question of how to act is affected not only by is affected not only by rational considerations, rational considerations, such as the need for such as the need for certainty, but also by certainty, but also by emotional, ethical, and emotional, ethical, and psychological factors. psychological factors.

Acting Recklessly*Acting Recklessly**in a way that shows a lack of care about danger and the possible results of *in a way that shows a lack of care about danger and the possible results of

your actionsyour actions

Hamlet himself appears to distrust the Hamlet himself appears to distrust the idea that it's even possible to act in a idea that it's even possible to act in a controlled, purposeful way. When he does controlled, purposeful way. When he does act, he prefers to do it blindly, recklessly, act, he prefers to do it blindly, recklessly, and violently. The other characters and violently. The other characters obviously think much less about "action" obviously think much less about "action" in the abstract than Hamlet does, and are in the abstract than Hamlet does, and are therefore less troubled about the therefore less troubled about the possibility of acting effectively. They possibility of acting effectively. They simply act as they feel is appropriate. simply act as they feel is appropriate.

Acting Foolishly* Acting Foolishly* (*synonym: stupidly)(*synonym: stupidly)

Claudius marries the queen and has got the Claudius marries the queen and has got the crown but his conscience torments him crown but his conscience torments him (and, of course, he dies). (and, of course, he dies).

Laertes resolves that nothing will distract Laertes resolves that nothing will distract him from acting out his revenge, but he is him from acting out his revenge, but he is easily influenced and manipulated into easily influenced and manipulated into serving Claudius's ends, and his poisoned serving Claudius's ends, and his poisoned sword is turned back upon himself.sword is turned back upon himself.

DeathDeath Hamlet is obsessed Hamlet is obsessed

with the idea of with the idea of death, and over death, and over the course of the the course of the play he considers play he considers death from many death from many perspectives. perspectives.

Aftermath of DeathAftermath of Death Hamlet ponders both the spiritual aftermath Hamlet ponders both the spiritual aftermath

of death, embodied in the ghost, and the of death, embodied in the ghost, and the physical remainders of the dead, such as by physical remainders of the dead, such as by Yorick's skull and the decaying corpses in the Yorick's skull and the decaying corpses in the cemetery. Throughout, the idea of death is cemetery. Throughout, the idea of death is closely tied to the themes of spirituality, closely tied to the themes of spirituality, truth, and uncertainty in that death may truth, and uncertainty in that death may bring the answers to Hamlet's deepest bring the answers to Hamlet's deepest questions, ending once and for all the questions, ending once and for all the problem of trying to determine truth in an problem of trying to determine truth in an ambiguous world. ambiguous world.

RevengeRevenge Since death is both the Since death is both the

cause and the cause and the consequence of consequence of revenge, it is intimately revenge, it is intimately tied to the theme of tied to the theme of revenge and justice—revenge and justice—Claudius's murder of Claudius's murder of King Hamlet initiates King Hamlet initiates Hamlet's quest for Hamlet's quest for revenge, and Claudius's revenge, and Claudius's death is the end of that death is the end of that quest.quest.

SuicideSuicideThe question of his own death plagues The question of his own death plagues

Hamlet as well, as he repeatedly Hamlet as well, as he repeatedly contemplates whether or not suicide contemplates whether or not suicide is a morally legitimate action in an is a morally legitimate action in an unbearably painful world. Hamlet's unbearably painful world. Hamlet's grief and misery is such that he grief and misery is such that he frequently longs for death to end to frequently longs for death to end to his suffering, but he fears that if he his suffering, but he fears that if he commits suicide, he will be consigned commits suicide, he will be consigned to eternal suffering in hell, according to eternal suffering in hell, according to his religion.to his religion.

““To be or not to be”To be or not to be” In his famous "To be or In his famous "To be or

not to be" soliloquy, not to be" soliloquy, Hamlet philosophically Hamlet philosophically concludes that no one concludes that no one would choose to would choose to endure the pain of life endure the pain of life if he or she were not if he or she were not afraid of what will afraid of what will come after death, and come after death, and that it is this fear that it is this fear which causes complex which causes complex moral considerations moral considerations to interfere with the to interfere with the capacity for action.capacity for action.

MotifsMotifs Motifs are recurring Motifs are recurring

structures, structures, contrasts, or contrasts, or literary devices literary devices that can help to that can help to develop the text's develop the text's major themes. major themes.

Motif of MisogynyMotif of MisogynyShattered by his mother's repugnant Shattered by his mother's repugnant

decision to marry Claudius so soon decision to marry Claudius so soon after her husband's death, Hamlet after her husband's death, Hamlet becomes extremely cynical, even becomes extremely cynical, even neurotic, about women in general, neurotic, about women in general, showing a particular obsession with showing a particular obsession with what he perceives to be a connection what he perceives to be a connection between females and moral corruption. between females and moral corruption.

““Frailty, thy name is woman”Frailty, thy name is woman”This motif of misogyny, or hatred of This motif of misogyny, or hatred of

women, occurs only sporadically women, occurs only sporadically throughout the play, but it is an throughout the play, but it is an important inhibiting factor in important inhibiting factor in Hamlet's relationships with Ophelia Hamlet's relationships with Ophelia and Gertrude. He urges Ophelia to go and Gertrude. He urges Ophelia to go to a nunnery and exclaims of to a nunnery and exclaims of Gertrude, "Frailty, thy name is Gertrude, "Frailty, thy name is woman"woman"

Motif of Ears and HearingMotif of Ears and Hearing One facet of One facet of HamletHamlet's 's

exploration of the difficulty exploration of the difficulty of attaining true of attaining true knowledge is slipperiness knowledge is slipperiness of language. Words are of language. Words are used to communicate used to communicate ideas, but they can also be ideas, but they can also be used to distort the truth, used to distort the truth, manipulate other people, manipulate other people, and serve as tools in and serve as tools in corrupt quests for power. corrupt quests for power. Claudius, the shrewd Claudius, the shrewd politician, is the most politician, is the most obvious example of a man obvious example of a man who manipulates words to who manipulates words to enhance his own power. enhance his own power.

Use of WordsUse of Words The sinister uses of words are represented The sinister uses of words are represented

by images of ears and hearing, from by images of ears and hearing, from Claudius's murder of the king by pouring Claudius's murder of the king by pouring poison into his ear to Hamlet's claim to poison into his ear to Hamlet's claim to Horatio that "I have words to speak in thine Horatio that "I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb". The poison ear will make thee dumb". The poison poured in the king's ear by Claudius is used poured in the king's ear by Claudius is used by the ghost to symbolize the corrosive by the ghost to symbolize the corrosive effect of Claudius's dishonesty on the health effect of Claudius's dishonesty on the health of Denmark. Declaring that the story that he of Denmark. Declaring that the story that he was killed by a snake is a lie, he says that was killed by a snake is a lie, he says that "the whole ear of Denmark is abused….". "the whole ear of Denmark is abused….".

SymbolsSymbols

Symbols are objects, Symbols are objects,

characters, figures, characters, figures,

or colors used to or colors used to

represent abstract represent abstract

ideas or concepts. ideas or concepts.

Yorick’s SkullYorick’s Skull HamletHamlet is not a is not a

particularly symbolic particularly symbolic play, at least in the play, at least in the sense that physical sense that physical objects are rarely objects are rarely used to represent used to represent thematic ideas. One thematic ideas. One important exception is important exception is Yorick's skull, which Yorick's skull, which Hamlet discovers in Hamlet discovers in the graveyard in the the graveyard in the first scene of Act V. first scene of Act V.

Different Aspects of DeathDifferent Aspects of DeathAs Hamlet speaks to and about As Hamlet speaks to and about

the skull of the king's former the skull of the king's former jester, it becomes a symbol of jester, it becomes a symbol of several different aspects of several different aspects of death, including its inevitability death, including its inevitability and its disintegration of the and its disintegration of the body. body.

Decay of the Human BodyDecay of the Human BodyThis idea is an important motif This idea is an important motif

throughout the play, as Hamlet throughout the play, as Hamlet frequently makes comments frequently makes comments referring to every human body's referring to every human body's eventual decay, noting that eventual decay, noting that Polonius will be eaten by worms, Polonius will be eaten by worms, that even kings are eaten by that even kings are eaten by worms.worms.

The EndThe End