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Hamlet


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First performed between the years 1600-01, first printed in 1603.

Throughout Shakespeare's plays, the maintenance of identity is a very common conflict, as it was shown in Macbeth and now in Hamlet. In this play Shakespeare has portrayed young Hamlet to convey the two sides to him; one side shows his insane behaviour towards his family, the other side determines his thoughts of either doing right or wrong according to what he has seen. The play trembles with conflicts: one being identity, which shows all the characters in different disputes of their own. We also see the problems of lack of self-confidence, misjudgement, and betrayal.--Submitted by imran.

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First performance at the end of 15th century, ~ timeline, death of Elizabeth I and accession of James VI and I. First printing 1603. One of the more accessible Renaissance/early modern period texts. One constant theme of the English renaissance is the development of personal character and fame. Hamlet is portrayed as being uncertain as to whether he is the prince of the title, or student. Throughout the play Hamlet is presented with choices, of belief, of action, of love, of justice and of conscience. The play is famous for its soliloquies, where Hamlet presents the audience privately with his perceived choices. The results of his limited choices culminate in the tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.--Submitted by Anonymous

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Recent Forum Posts on Hamlet

Why do Claudius and Gert go along with Polonius's spy schemes?

Polonius's theory presented to Claudius and Gert of how Hamlet went mad is easily seen by the audience as an idiotic Rube Goldberg process and a reflection, in reality, of his own obsessions. Claudius at a minimum should be shrewd enough to see that his adviser is off his rocker, and that throwing Ham and Oph together while others watch behind an arras is a preposterous act. It's true Claudius wants to glean whatever intel he can about Hamlet, but this arras business is so crazy it's downright risky. Is it possible that Claudius goes along with Polonius's schemes with the private intention to get rid of the old fool as his next order of business (after he takes care of the Hamlet problem)? Does he refrain from dismissing Polonius right away because Polonius knows too much from his long tenure in Elsinore? I just can't for the life of me imagine someone with a modicum of savvy acceding to Polonius's nutty proposals. I'd look at that guy and say "You're the mad one, not Hamlet."

Posted By Miss Plum at Wed 11 Jan 2012, 2:52 PM in Hamlet || 3 Replies

Why didn't Claudius and Gert hire Horatio instead of R&G?

I want to say Claudius AND Gertrude because she's in on it as much as he is although their motives are slightly different; she wants Hamlet to cheer up while he wants to find out if Hamlet's onto the murder. Anyway, R&G are guys Hamlet presumably hasn't seen in a while, maybe years. Meanwhile, there's Horatio right in the court with Hamlet's full confidence and affection. Do Claudius and Gertrude bypass Horatio because they sense he ain't going to do no undercover work?

Posted By Miss Plum at Wed 11 Jan 2012, 10:24 AM in Hamlet || 2 Replies

Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.

I've never understood what's in their heads as they face each other before that duel begins. Claudius: How the hell did you escape my plot to have you killed? If you're here, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern aren't, then something's radically wrong. What do you know? Hamlet: Why are you smiling at me? You know that I know what you know: you tried to have me killed. (I bet you're wondering where your accomplices are.) And I still know damn well you killed my father. I don't know what you're up to here, but I've already thought about dying. With a subtext like that, the fact that those two would choose a public event for their first meeting after Hamlet's departure for England baffles me. Hamlet maybe -- he's got the upper hand. But Claudius? Is he riding on the crazy hope that Hamlet somehow escaped R&G without discovering his own murder plot? Why didn't he simply show Laertes the way to Hamlet's chamber?

Posted By Miss Plum at Wed 4 Jan 2012, 12:00 PM in Hamlet || 3 Replies

I am in need to it!

Hi Is there a way to see the play Hamlet performed ... a movie or something like so..... send me please the website or tirtle or anything...

Posted By Zemouli Chahra at Sun 25 Dec 2011, 11:12 AM in Hamlet || 9 Replies

Simple help,

In Act I, 1... Shakespeare used Polonius to convey what message as a playwriter? It is all about language the character used and how uncertain he was... thank you all

Posted By Zemouli Chahra at Sun 25 Dec 2011, 11:09 AM in Hamlet || 0 Replies

Can someone help me out with a few Hamlet questions?

Im doing this project, and i'm completely lost on this part! Process of Change (15 Marks) -What are motivating factors? -Who can Hamlet trust? Not trust? -How does he percieve his world? Why? -What conflict(s) emerge(s)? -What/Who must he give up? - Is he changing? From what to what? - What choices does he have to make? - What are his goals? - What is truth? Untruth? I'm really lost on this section, already completed the others. Any help is greatly appreciated! Happy Reading!

Posted By ConnorHD3 at Tue 20 Dec 2011, 6:35 PM in Hamlet || 4 Replies

Trifling question about Polonius, R&G

Act II, scene 2, line 210 -- Polonius: You go to seek the Lord Hamlet. There he is. Why does Polonius usher Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in to Hamlet? Why don't they enter unassisted, or guided by some unnamed Attendant? How does Polonius know that R&G are looking for Hamlet? Pol wasn't present when Gertrude and Claudius received R&G. Also, would he be jealous of the R&G scheme? He wants to advance himself by being the one to discover the cause of Hamlet's odd behavior, but they're on the case, too. Maybe that's why he amped up his efforts and hid behind the arras in Gertrude's room?

Posted By Miss Plum at Sun 18 Dec 2011, 12:51 PM in Hamlet || 2 Replies

Polonius and Ophelia - relationship

I had to write an essay on the relationship between Polonius and Ophelia based on Act I scene 3. Here it is. Please make any comments you want and give it a mark out of 20 if you like. (please think high school when you mark :-)) P.S. If you would like to write about the quality of Polonius' advice to Ophelia, do you assess the consequences that follow from it and whether it benefiited Ophelia? Although Polonius’ stakes in the Danish court are of prime importance to him, his actions reveal that he is also protective of her daughter Ophelia. Ophelia in turn is equally subservient to her father’s wishes. This indicates a strong bond in the father-daughter relationship. At the start of the passage, Polonius mentions that he does not approve of the ‘private time’ Hamlet has spent on Ophelia. He explains to Ophelia: ‘You do not understand yourself so clearly As it behooves my daughter and your honor’ - Polonius states that Ophelia is unaware how much her ‘free and bounteous’ attention to Hamlet is wrecking the social reputation of their family. Clearly, Polonius’ reputation in the court is one of his primary concerns. However, this does not imply that he has any less concern for the well-being of her daughter. When Ophelia discloses the nature of their relationship – that Hamlet has ‘made many tenders of his affection’ to her – he ridicules her revelation: ‘Affection! Pooh! You speak like a green girl’ and ‘think yourself a baby’. Evidently, Polonius considers her grown-up daughter to be immature and naïve. Polonius advises Ophelia to ‘tender’ herself ‘more dearly’ or else that she will ‘tender’ him ‘a fool’. Clearly, Polonius is simultaneously protective of her daughter and concerned about his status in the Danish court. This scornful attitude makes Ophelia defend her relationship: ‘he hath importuned me with love In honourable fashion and And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, With almost all the holy vows of heaven.’ Although Ophelia fights to keep her relationship alive, she does so with the utmost politeness and respect for his father. His father however continues in his scornful tone and advises her ‘to be somewhat scanter of’ her ‘maiden presence ’ and to ‘set’ her ‘entreatments at a higher rate than a command to parle’ because Hamlet ‘is young and with a larger tether he may walk than may be given to’ Ophelia. This explanation demonstrates her genuine concern for Ophelia future well-being. Ophelia, in spite of her earlier strong but polite defence, has decided ‘to obey’ Polonius’ advice. All in all, Polonius considers her daughter immature and therefore is very protective of her. Ophelia herself is very loyal to her father and is willing to sacrifice even her love for the prince of Denmark to sustain that loyalty.

Posted By failexam at Sun 4 Dec 2011, 1:10 PM in Hamlet || 7 Replies

Hamlet's first soliloquy

"Oh, that this too too sullied flesh would melt ... But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue." I need to submit two essays on the soliloquy. 1. How does the imagery of this passage serve the overall themes of the play? 2. How does the diction of this passage underscore tension in the play? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted By failexam at Thu 1 Dec 2011, 1:20 PM in Hamlet || 1 Reply

hamlet not insane thesis help

hi guys i got a paper coming up and im wigging out about it. i was wondering if anyone can give me some feedback and help me with it. here is my thesis One of the most debated themes in Shakespearean literature is the interpretation of Hamlet’s character. Of the most intriguing aspects is the status of his sanity throughout the play. The role of Hamlet as a tragic hero is very complex, enduring many struggles throughout his life from experiencing his father’s death, witnessing his mother’s remarriage, and even the appearance of his father’s ghost in which he must carry out his bidding. While there is reason to believe that many of these hardships could have driven him to the point of insanity, but not Hamlet because of his display of intelligence and rational thinking all throughout the play. What we do have is Hamlet feigning madness in order to accomplish his master plan while also acting out on the behalf of his natural human instincts to survive. ---- is my thesis okay? is it clear. if anyone can help me please do! my email is nhoj_eod43@yahoo.com so you can email me there to as well. thanks in advance

Posted By jj cathers at Wed 30 Nov 2011, 3:16 PM in Hamlet || 1 Reply

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