HamletWhats rotten in Denmark?

General InfoRegistered in 1602 on the 26th of July as The Revenge of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkA Classic TragedyHamlet is Tragic HeroBut what is his tragic flaw?

SettingThe primary setting is Elsinore Castle in Denmark, which was based on Kronberg Castle.Elsinore is an important port city that got fat based on taxes it charged for passing ships.The setting is seen as rotten or decaying because of political and moral corruption.

CharactersOld Hamlet, murdered King of DenmarkClaudius, Old Hamlets Brother and murder victim, New King of DenmarkGertrude, widow of Old Hamlet, mother of Hamlet, wife of ClaudiusHamlet, son of Old Hamlet and Gertrude, nephew to ClaudiusHoratio, best friend of HamletPolonius, chief advisor to Claudius and father of Laertes and OpheliaLaertes, son of Polonius who travels to FranceOphelia, daughter of Laertes and Hamlets loveReynaldo, Polonius servant Fortinbras, Prince of NorwayRosencrantz and Guildenstern, friends of Hamlet from school

RevengeHamlet is a son bent on revenge as Claudius has murdered his father and married his mother.Fortinbras also seeks revenge for his fathers murder at the hands of Old King Hamlet. Laertes also later seeks revenge.

Sin and CorruptionHamlet reflects humans as fallen beings--full of sin and corruption. Is Claudius the rightful heir to the kingdom if he murdered Old King Hamlet and seduced Gertrude?Is the political Kingdom corrupt or rotten? Or the physical one, full of weeds?Is nobility generally corrupt?Is the ghost the devil in disguise?Did Hamlet and Ophelia have sex?Are women natural temptresses?

DeceptionThe murder was deceptive, but so is Hamlets knowledge of it.The ghosts words to Hamlet.Polonius actions of spying.Rosencrantz and Guildensterns feigned friendship. Hamlets actions throughout the play???

MadnessIs it pretended or real?Must true madness wear the mask of sanity?Was the ghost the devil trying to drive Hamlet mad?What drives Ophelia to her end? Pregnancy or Madness?

HesitationAccording to custom, Hamlet has an obligation to seek revenge for his father. What makes him hesitate? Is it the moral code of thou shalt not kill?Why does he hesitate?

Ambition and LoyaltyDoes Claudius seek the crown or Gertrude?In any case, he kills his brother.Why does Polonius spy?What is the relationship between Horatio and Hamlet?

Religion and EmptinessThe religion of the time is Roman Catholic. There are tons of allusions to The BibleBut all characters seem to have a general spiritual anxiety.Murder, Ghosts, Suicide, Adultery

GenderFrailty thy name is woman What is the role of the woman in this society?