Shakespeare's Hamlet

     Hamlet (1603) written by Shakespeare, is one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. The play is a tragedy and drama, that takes place in the late middle ages in Denmark. Hamlet was originally targeted towards the Elizabethan audience. Although the play is quite old, many people today read and study it, including many of Shakespeare's other works. Hamlet revolves around the main character, Hamlet, as he tries to seek the truth and avenge his murdered father. "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder," (Act I, Scene V, line 25). As Hamlet journeys to accomplish his goals, he along with the other characters, are faced with difficulties. The play is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, different themes, and realization. One thing to know if you have never read one of Shakespeare's tragedies, is that there are a lot of deaths involved. Brace yourself before reading the play!

Hamlet
William Shakespeare
    The play has multiple different themes that can apply to real life and lessons and motifs that can be interpreted in different ways by the readers and viewers. Some themes that can be analyzed and looked for in the play are: threat to security, authority out of order, betrayal, and sickness/disease. One important theme that occurred throughout the play that I will be discussing is "question of identity." 

    Starting from the beginning of the play, a mysterious ghost appears. Soldiers Marcellus, Bernardo, and Horatio are unsure of the identity of the ghost but suspect it to be the spirit of Hamlet's father. Hamlet soon speaks to the ghost and it is revealed to be his father, but he is still unsure of who the ghost truly is and what the ghost's motives are. When Hamlet hears that the new king, Claudius (also known as his uncle) has killed his father, he starts to plan out his revenge. The characters in the story see Hamlet as someone who has suddenly become mad. The audience knows that it is just an act but the King was unsure of what drove Hamlet to become "mad" and tries to find out more about him and his identity. It is later assumed that what drove him to act the way he was, was because of his love for Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius. Ophelia's identity also got quickly changed to someone who had also gone mad towards the end of the play, "She is importunate, indeed distract: Her mood will needs be pitied," (Act IV, Scene V, lines 2-3). Another example of the theme "question of identity" was Hamlet's first plan at getting revenge. Hamlet planned to arrange a play that exposes King Claudius' true identity and even invited the king to watch. When it came to the death scene, the king became nervous and ordered for the play to end, "give me some light: away!" (Act III, Scene II, line 272). Hamlet has also questioned his own identity and whether living with the disasters happening in Denmark would be worth it, "To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer," (Act III, Scene I, lines 56-57).

    When thinking about the theme, I can see myself applying it to real life situations. Rather than the question of identity of others, I question the identity of myself. Seeing the theme applied in Hamlet allows me to see how Shakespeare represents identity and the ways he chooses to display and question it through his characters, 

William Shakespeare
The Chandos Portrait
    After reading Shakespeare's Hamlet, it taught me lessons and themes that I have not particularly thought about before reading the play. It also has taught me more about Shakespeare as a person and playwright, and more about how life was like for the royalty in the late middle ages in Denmark. I would recommend reading Hamlet because of the many lessons that the audience can relate to and learn from. The play is entertaining as well with a complex plot and unexpected turns. For example, who ended up becoming the King of Denmark, "On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice," (Act V, Scene II, line 360). Although the play is entertaining, it can be a little difficult to read, so for new readers I recommend to search up helpful summaries and unknown words or to purchase an edition that has helpful outlines and notes for you as you read. Happy reading! 

Here is a two hour and forty minute play of Hamlet, directed by Paul Radford!


Works Cited


Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Terri Mategrano and Sidney Lamb, New York: Hungry Minds, 2000.

“Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 1.” The Folger SHAKESPEARE, 12 Nov. 2019, https://shakespeare.folger.edu/shakespeares-works/hamlet/act-1-scene-1/.

“William Shakespeare.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Oct. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare.

“Prince Hamlet.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Oct. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Hamlet.


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