The Tragedy ofThe Tragedy ofHamlet,Hamlet,Prince of Prince of DenmarkDenmark

By William Shakespeare By William Shakespeare

The PlaysThe Plays Early plays, 1590’s, were mainly comedyEarly plays, 1590’s, were mainly comedy

Comedy (and this could be extended to Comedy (and this could be extended to most of Shakespeare's history plays as most of Shakespeare's history plays as well)  is social--leading to a happy well)  is social--leading to a happy resolution (usually a marriage or resolution (usually a marriage or marriages) and social unification. marriages) and social unification. 

Shakespeare began to focus on Shakespeare began to focus on tragedy/dramatic themes in the early tragedy/dramatic themes in the early 1600’s.1600’s. Tragedy is individual, concentrating on Tragedy is individual, concentrating on the suffering of a single, remarkable the suffering of a single, remarkable hero--leading to individual torment, hero--leading to individual torment, waste and deathwaste and death

1608 marks a change in tone from tragedy 1608 marks a change in tone from tragedy to romance, light, magic, and to romance, light, magic, and reconciliationreconciliation

Publishing ShakespearePublishing Shakespeare Despite all the paper and ink, no Despite all the paper and ink, no printed text of any of his plays can printed text of any of his plays can claim to be an exact, word-by-word claim to be an exact, word-by-word copy of what he wrote.copy of what he wrote.

DO YOU KNOW THE HORROR OF LOSING THE DO YOU KNOW THE HORROR OF LOSING THE ONLY COPY OF WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN?ONLY COPY OF WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN? In In Shakespeare’s time, a playwright Shakespeare’s time, a playwright delivered his only handwritten copy delivered his only handwritten copy to the acting company. Then it to the acting company. Then it becomes property of the company, not becomes property of the company, not the writer.the writer.

No copies of Shakespeare’s plays in No copies of Shakespeare’s plays in his own handwriting have survived!his own handwriting have survived!

ActorsActors Only men and boys allowed onstage.Only men and boys allowed onstage. Young boys whose voices had not changed Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles.play women’s roles.

It would have been considered indecent It would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage.for a woman to appear on stage.

The actors in Shakespeare’s plays The actors in Shakespeare’s plays worked very hard and were paid worked very hard and were paid according to the house’s take.according to the house’s take.

More popular actors, in lead roles, had More popular actors, in lead roles, had to deliver as many as 4000 lines in six to deliver as many as 4000 lines in six different plays during a London work different plays during a London work week.week.

When in a play...When in a play...

Only men were permitted Only men were permitted to perform who were to perform who were part of a licensed part of a licensed theater company.theater company.

Boys or effeminate men Boys or effeminate men were used to play the were used to play the women.women.

Costumes were often the Costumes were often the company’s most valuable company’s most valuable asset.asset.

Costumes were made by Costumes were made by the company, bought in the company, bought in London, or donated by London, or donated by courtiers.courtiers.

Elaborate CostumesElaborate Costumes

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

Size and ShapeSize and Shape Opened in 1599; Opened in 1599; Shakespeare's Shakespeare's company regularly company regularly performed there.performed there.

Polygonal shape Polygonal shape with as many as with as many as 20 sides.20 sides.

THE GLOBE THEATERTHE GLOBE THEATER Built in 1599Built in 1599 The most magnificent theater in London The most magnificent theater in London Shakespeare was 1/5 ownerShakespeare was 1/5 owner He earned 10% of the total profit, He earned 10% of the total profit, approximately approximately ££200-250 a year200-250 a year

The Bard retired to Stratford and The Bard retired to Stratford and lived on the profits he earned from the lived on the profits he earned from the GlobeGlobe

June 19, 1613 the Globe burned to the June 19, 1613 the Globe burned to the ground during a performance of ground during a performance of Henry Henry VIIIVIII

The Globe Theater –The Globe Theater – Many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed hereMany of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here The stage was a large, rectangle that jutted The stage was a large, rectangle that jutted out into the yardout into the yard

Held 2,000-3,000 people tightly packedHeld 2,000-3,000 people tightly packed An open playhouse with a wooden structure three An open playhouse with a wooden structure three stories highstories high

It was shaped like a 16 sided polygonIt was shaped like a 16 sided polygon General admission = (a pence) 1 Penny entitled General admission = (a pence) 1 Penny entitled a spectator to be a “groundling”-someone who a spectator to be a “groundling”-someone who could stand in the yard.could stand in the yard.

More expensive seats were in the roofed More expensive seats were in the roofed galleries and most expensive seats were chairs galleries and most expensive seats were chairs set right on the stage along its two sidesset right on the stage along its two sides

Rebuilt in 1900’s Rebuilt in 1900’s

English TheaterEnglish Theater

Plays were most often performed Plays were most often performed in outdoor theaters in outdoor theaters

Performances took place during Performances took place during the day so that the stage would the day so that the stage would be illuminated by natural lightbe illuminated by natural light

SpectatorsSpectators Wealthy got benchesWealthy got benches ““GroundlingsGroundlings” or poorer people ” or poorer people stood and watched from the stood and watched from the courtyard (“pit”)courtyard (“pit”)

All but wealthy wereAll but wealthy were

uneducated/illiterateuneducated/illiterate Much more interaction than todayMuch more interaction than today

The groundlingThe groundling

Poor audience Poor audience membermember

Stood around Stood around stage in “the stage in “the pit”pit”

Women not allowed Women not allowed (had to dress up (had to dress up as men to attend)as men to attend)

Threw rotten Threw rotten vegetables at bad vegetables at bad performancesperformances

Queen Elizabeth I – Queen Elizabeth I – ( 1558-1603 )( 1558-1603 )

Ruled England for 45 years.Ruled England for 45 years. Nicknamed “the Virgin Queen”Nicknamed “the Virgin Queen”

and produced no heir to the throneand produced no heir to the throne Restored Protestantism and formalized theRestored Protestantism and formalized the

Church of EnglandChurch of England During her reign, the economy was weakened During her reign, the economy was weakened by inflation, food shortages, and high rent. by inflation, food shortages, and high rent.

Outbreak of the black plague, food riots, Outbreak of the black plague, food riots, Catholic conspiracies, threats of invasion, Catholic conspiracies, threats of invasion, etc.etc.

During the During the Elizabethan PeriodElizabethan Period, hundreds of , hundreds of people were convicted as witches and people were convicted as witches and executedexecuted

King James IKing James I – ( 1603-1628 )– ( 1603-1628 )

Renamed Shakespeare’s acting troupe “The Renamed Shakespeare’s acting troupe “The King’s Men”King’s Men”

Believed in the supernatural and Believed in the supernatural and interested in witchcraftinterested in witchcraft

Religious and believed in the existence of Religious and believed in the existence of supernatural evilsupernatural evil

Commissioned a translation of the Bible Commissioned a translation of the Bible from Latin to Englishfrom Latin to English

Published a book about witchcraft called Published a book about witchcraft called “Demonologie“ in 1597“Demonologie“ in 1597

The Cost of a ShowThe Cost of a Show 1 shilling to stand1 shilling to stand 2 shillings to sit 2 shillings to sit in the balconyin the balcony

1 shilling was 10% 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly of their weekly incomeincome

Broadway Today:Broadway Today: $85 Orchestra$85 Orchestra $60 Balcony$60 Balcony 10% of a teacher’s 10% of a teacher’s weekly salaryweekly salary

ClothesClothes

One set used all One set used all year long, year long, rarely washedrarely washed

Underclothing Underclothing slept in, slept in, infrequently infrequently changedchanged

Clothes handed Clothes handed down from rich down from rich to poorto poor

Conditions in London-Conditions in London-BAD!BAD!

Thames River Thames River polluted with polluted with raw sewageraw sewage

Trees used up Trees used up for fuelfor fuel

PovertyPoverty

Living ConditionsLiving Conditions

No running No running waterwater

Chamber Chamber PotsPots

Open SewersOpen Sewers CrowdedCrowded

                  

Personal hygiene/healthPersonal hygiene/health

Bathing considered dangerousBathing considered dangerous Body odor strongBody odor strong Childhood diseasesChildhood diseases Children often died before 5 Children often died before 5 yearsyears

Small PoxSmall Pox Bubonic PlagueBubonic Plague

The Man That Would Be The Man That Would Be ShakespeareShakespeare

1564-16161564-1616 Stratford-on-Avon, Stratford-on-Avon, EnglandEngland

He wrote 37 plays & He wrote 37 plays & 154 sonnets154 sonnets He started out as an He started out as an actoractor

No records document No records document his life from 1585-his life from 1585-1592, when he was 1592, when he was between the ages of 21 between the ages of 21 and 28.and 28.

The Man That Would Be The Man That Would Be ShakespeareShakespeare There is little known There is little known

about his domestic life about his domestic life after moving permanently after moving permanently to Stratford around to Stratford around 1611-16121611-1612

There is no “tell-all” There is no “tell-all” biography to reveal his biography to reveal his intimate life.intimate life.

Some believe the sonnets Some believe the sonnets published in 1609 tell published in 1609 tell of his real-life of his real-life relationships with a relationships with a young man, a “Dark young man, a “Dark Lady”.Lady”.

Well-known Facts about Well-known Facts about WillWill

Great writer of Great writer of EnglandEngland

Plays translated Plays translated into all languages, into all languages, musicals, balletsmusicals, ballets

Born Stratford-upon-Born Stratford-upon-AvonAvon

Well-to-do, affluent Well-to-do, affluent while alivewhile alive

Most quoted, other Most quoted, other than the Biblethan the Bible

Lesser-known FactsLesser-known Facts Teen father: married Teen father: married pregnant 26 year old pregnant 26 year old Anne Hathaway when Anne Hathaway when he was 18he was 18

Deadbeat dad: Left Deadbeat dad: Left wife and children wife and children for London stage for London stage careercareer

Father of twinsFather of twins Elizabethan rapper: Elizabethan rapper: uses rhythm and uses rhythm and rhymerhyme

““Plagiarism” ?Plagiarism” ?

Book SizesBook Sizes

1. Folio: Sheet folded in half to 1. Folio: Sheet folded in half to make 4 sidesmake 4 sides

2. Quarto: Sheet folded twice so as 2. Quarto: Sheet folded twice so as to make 4 leaves or 8 pages, (9 to make 4 leaves or 8 pages, (9 1/2" x 12") 1/2" x 12")

3. Octavo: Sheet folded so as to 3. Octavo: Sheet folded so as to make 8 leaves or 16 pages (6 x 9" )make 8 leaves or 16 pages (6 x 9" )

4. Duodecimo: Sheet folded so as to 4. Duodecimo: Sheet folded so as to make 12 leaves or 24 pages (about 5 make 12 leaves or 24 pages (about 5 xx 7") 7")

Early Editions of Early Editions of HamletHamlet

First Quarto (1603) First Quarto (1603) For Hamlet, the First Quarto presents a For Hamlet, the First Quarto presents a "bad" or memorially reconstructed text."bad" or memorially reconstructed text.

Some scholars believe that these came Some scholars believe that these came from minor players remembering and from minor players remembering and dictating the play, although others dictating the play, although others have discredited this theory. In have discredited this theory. In HamletHamlet, they believe that the actor , they believe that the actor

playing Marcellus does this.playing Marcellus does this. It is considered “bad” folio because it It is considered “bad” folio because it was recreated from the actors’ was recreated from the actors’ memories.memories.

Early Editions of Early Editions of HamletHamlet

The First Quarto text of Hamlet The First Quarto text of Hamlet presents a much more sympathetic presents a much more sympathetic version of Gertrude; she swears to version of Gertrude; she swears to assist Hamlet in his revenge, for assist Hamlet in his revenge, for example.example.

A scene between Gertrude and A scene between Gertrude and Horatio exists in this version and Horatio exists in this version and disappears in later ones. Gertrude disappears in later ones. Gertrude is told the news that Hamlet tells is told the news that Hamlet tells in his letter to Horatio, thus in his letter to Horatio, thus establishing her as Hamlet’s ally.establishing her as Hamlet’s ally.

Early Editions of Early Editions of HamletHamlet

Second Quarto (1604).Second Quarto (1604). J. D. Wilson showed in 1934 J. D. Wilson showed in 1934 that this quarto was prepared that this quarto was prepared from Shakespeare’s original from Shakespeare’s original manuscript or possibly from a manuscript or possibly from a corrected edition of the corrected edition of the First Quarto.First Quarto.

The Second Quarto has about The Second Quarto has about 200 lines not in the Folio. 200 lines not in the Folio.

Early Editions of Early Editions of HamletHamlet

First Folio (1623) First Folio (1623) Contains 16 plays Contains 16 plays previously previously printed in quarto printed in quarto editions and 18 editions and 18 others that would others that would not otherwise not otherwise have survived.have survived.

Early Editions of Early Editions of HamletHamlet

The Folio The Folio edition has edition has stage stage directions. directions.

The Folio The Folio edition edition includes about includes about 90 lines not in 90 lines not in the Second the Second quarto. quarto.

Introduction to the Introduction to the PlayPlay HamletHamlet is is

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s most famous most famous tragedy.tragedy.

However, why However, why might it have might it have been considered a been considered a mystery?mystery?

When audiences When audiences try to “solve” try to “solve” the play’s the play’s mysteries, they mysteries, they often look inside often look inside their own hearts their own hearts and minds.and minds.

It’s easy to It’s easy to understand why so understand why so many actors (and many actors (and some actresses) some actresses) have longed to have longed to play Prince play Prince Hamlet.Hamlet.

He is fatally He is fatally attractive and attractive and romantically romantically doomed. He’s doomed. He’s brilliant, thinks brilliant, thinks complexly, and complexly, and ironically up-to-ironically up-to-date.date.

Introduction ContinuedIntroduction Continued Hamlet is fond of Hamlet is fond of asking difficult asking difficult questions, like questions, like his famous “To be his famous “To be or not to be” or not to be” soliloquy.soliloquy.

HamletHamlet contains contains philosophical philosophical depth and is depth and is everything everything opposite of a opposite of a dull lecture on dull lecture on the meaning of the meaning of life.life.

HamletHamlet is a is a tragedy, a tragedy, a mystery, a revenge mystery, a revenge story, a ghost story, a ghost story, and a story, and a political thriller political thriller – with some good – with some good jokes thrown in.jokes thrown in.

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s powerful images of powerful images of disease, poison disease, poison and nature gone and nature gone wrong create a wrong create a perilous and perilous and paranoid paranoid environmentenvironment

““To be or not to be” in the To be or not to be” in the Folio (III.i.63-97)Folio (III.i.63-97)

To be, or not to be, that is the question:To be, or not to be, that is the question:Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to sufferWhether ‘tis nobler in the mind to sufferThe slings and arrows of outrageous The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,And by opposing, end them. To die, to And by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep—sleep—

No more, and by a sleep to say we endNo more, and by a sleep to say we endThe heart-ache and the thousand natural The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocksshocks

That flesh is heir to . . . That flesh is heir to . . .

““To be or not to be” in the To be or not to be” in the QuartoQuarto

To be or not to be, ay there’s the point;To be or not to be, ay there’s the point;

To die, to sleep, is that all? Ay, all.To die, to sleep, is that all? Ay, all.

No, to sleep, to dream; ay marry, there No, to sleep, to dream; ay marry, there it goes.it goes.

For in that dream of death, when we awakeFor in that dream of death, when we awake

And borne before an everlasting judge,And borne before an everlasting judge,

From whence no passenger ever returned,From whence no passenger ever returned,

The undiscovered country, at whose sightThe undiscovered country, at whose sight

The happy smile, and the accursed The happy smile, and the accursed damned . . damned . .

SourcesSources

Thomas Kyd's Thomas Kyd's HamletHamlet in the in the 1580s (now 1580s (now lost); this is lost); this is referred to as referred to as the “Ur-the “Ur-Hamlet.” Hamlet.”

Thomas Kyd's Thomas Kyd's Spanish TragedySpanish Tragedy (1587) (Revenge (1587) (Revenge tragedy)tragedy)

SourcesSources Hamlet’s origin Hamlet’s origin is said to come is said to come from Danish from Danish legends from 16legends from 16thth century tales of century tales of a young noble a young noble named Amleth named Amleth (meaning fool or (meaning fool or one who feigns one who feigns madness in madness in Danish). Danish). Collected by Collected by Saxo Grammaticus Saxo Grammaticus (historian).(historian).

SourcesSources

In the In the original, original, Amleth feigns Amleth feigns madness to madness to keep away keep away from his from his murderous murderous uncle.uncle.

SourcesSources

The ghost in the The ghost in the original play by original play by Belleforest said Belleforest said "Hamlet! "Hamlet! Revenge!" Revenge!" frequently, frequently, which must have which must have been a joke by been a joke by the time of the the time of the Hamlet.Hamlet.

SourcesSources

The Ghost The Ghost (which (which Shakespeare Shakespeare probably probably played) is played) is less prominent less prominent in the version in the version of of HamletHamlet that that we know. we know.

Sources Sources

From Harold Bloom, From Harold Bloom, Shakespeare: The Shakespeare: The Invention of the Invention of the HumanHuman

Bloom believes Bloom believes that Shakespeare that Shakespeare himself wrote the himself wrote the ur-Hamlet play ur-Hamlet play from 1589 and that from 1589 and that he made several he made several changes in this changes in this version. version.

Hamlet’s SourcesHamlet’s Sources

Readers who are Readers who are troubled by troubled by Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s borrowing habits borrowing habits might think about might think about their favorite their favorite movies or songs. movies or songs. How many movies How many movies have wholly have wholly “original” plots?“original” plots?

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s originality originality doe not lie in doe not lie in whatwhat plot plot elements he elements he used, but in used, but in howhow he used he used these these materials.materials.

Hamlet SitesHamlet Sites

The Enfolded Hamlet Hamlet on the Ramparts Shakespeare Quartos Online The Authorship Debate