The greatest play that has ever been written. Hamlet tells the story of the young prince of Denmark whose father has been murdered by someone within his own family. The prince wants revenge. What's taking him so long to extract it?
At Elsinore, a ghost appears. This is the spirit of the murdered King, who charges his son with avenging his death. The killer is Hamlet's own uncle, Claudius, who has married the Queen and usurped the throne.
At Elsinore, a ghost appears. This is the spirit of the murdered King, who charges his son with avenging his death. The killer is Hamlet's own uncle, Claudius, who has married the Queen and usurped the throne.
Hamlet is among the most analysed characters in theatrical history. His many soliloquies offer insights into the complex workings of his mind. His procrastination is the engine that drives the play. Consider also Claudius, Gertrude and Ophelia's roles.
Over the years, Hamlet has been the subject of endless critical appraisals. Here are some of the notable lines delivered by the audience of the world's most famous play.
Shakespeare's plays are dense forests of meaning. This mind map attempts to untangle the many strands of Hamlet. Appearance v Reality, Death, the Afterlife and a number of other themes are discussed here.
There are a number of speeches within the play where the audience can directly witness the thought process of the principal characters. Though Hamlets are the most famous, Claudius also has his moment of reflection.
Here is a short test to see if you have been paying attention. There are twelve questions relating to Shakespeare and the great Danish Prince. Aim for 80% or higher. Good luck!
It may come as no surprise to learn that Shakespeare - if he were alive today - would be very, very old. But how old would he be? Learn some interesting trivia and great conversation starters about the world's greatest ever playwright.
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