Hamlet Introduction

Hamlet was written around the year 1600, towards the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Being the “Virgin Queen,” many were concerned about the shift in power when she died; as the only rightful heir to the throne was King James VI of Scotland. He was the daughter of Mary, Queen of Scots, and represented a different political faction which went against much of what Elizabeth had established. Thus, much of Shakespeare’s work around this time centered on the concept of the problems that came with the loss of a monarch including uncertainties, betrayals and upheavals.

This play is one of the most hotly discussed pieces in all of literature when it comes to how it ought to be interpreted. But, due to intentional fallacy (the concept that because Shakespeare is dead we cannot actually learn his true intentions), we as readers are left to discuss. This is probably why the play still holds so much power today as people continue to discuss and argue what should be seen within it.

So, what’s the problem? Hamlet is a revenge play, which means that one character is driven to avenge the death of another. In this case, the play begins soon after the death of Hamlet – a greatly beloved king of Denmark and his brother, rather than his son has become the new king. Young Hamlet (our hero) is asked early on to destroy his father’s murderer, but he delays throughout the play. Most of the discussions on the play focus on just that, Hamlet’s procrastination in this area. Other characters: Fortinbras, Laertes and (I would argue) Ophelia also face the issue of revenge for violations to their families, yet they act almost immediately and show that Hamlet’s postponements are unusual. Therefore, the play turns into a character study of the Prince and why he must wait.

Themes:

Impossibility of Certainty – pointing to how many things are unsure in our lives and those of the characters

The Complexity of action – directly related to the prior, to be able to act rightly and purposefully in the light of the dilemma characters face (specifically Hamlet)

Mysteries of Death – both characters themselves and the thoughts of others question eternity

The Nation as a Diseased Body – the state of the country both physically and politically are unequivocally connected throughout

Motifs: support the concepts of the themes

Incest & Incestuous Desire
Misogyny (hatred of women)
Ears & Hearing – specifically their fallibility with language