The Tragedy of Hamlet

The Tragedy of Hamlet

• This tragedy was written by Shakespeare at an uncertain date between 1599-1602. It was published in 1603, it was named «The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark». The full version of this text appeared in 1604.

1.1.The Sources of story and characters

• Hamlet has a real prototype, it is Danish prince Amleth. He lived in 19 century. His history was written by chronicler Saxo Grammaticus in his work “Gesta Danorum” in 13th-century. “Gesta Danorum” was printed in France in 1514. At the second part of 16 century this story was translated in French by Francois de Belfort.

The treatment of Hamlet`s image

• Writers, critics and scientists have tried to find out Hamlet`s source for few centuries. Tragic heroes like Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth are the titans, they excel their viewers in intellect, will and courage.

The treatment of Hamlet`s image

• But the play was made specially for its viewers. The author let his viewers to know more than his titanic characters. Shakespeare allows his viewers to feel smarter than the titans.

The explanations of Hamlet`s image

• Hamlet finishes his famous monolog «To be, or not to be?» with meaningless words, but the main question is still unanswered. The final Hamlet’s words are «дальнейшее – молчанье». Hamlet was buried with his secret. So the Hamlet`s secret can`t be found out.

The reasons of revenge

• The revenge is one of the most important motive of tragedy.

• Hamlet, Laert and Fortinbras was faced by Shakespeare with the problem of revenge for their father`s death. Laert acts blindly, Fortinbras refuses revenge, Hamlet represents this problem philosophically.

The final part of tragedy

• The secrets of “Hamlet” remain unsolved when the heroes of tragedy died accidentally .

• Fortinbras refuses revenge, so Hamlet wills his crown to him. Hamlet has a philosophical mind.

• Shakespeare made Hamlet to be the greatest secrets of English literarure.