The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of

Denmark

By William Shakespeare

Hamlet

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

Setting

Denmark A castle in Elsinore A churchyard

Setting

Map of Denmark Elsinore Castle

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

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?

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

Motifs

Revenge Mortality Appearance vs.

Reality Corruption Madness Sexuality/Incest

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