Origins of Origins of HamletHamlet

HendersonHenderson

It is widely accepted It is widely accepted that that HamletHamlet was the was the play that ensured play that ensured Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s immortality.immortality.

The play has become The play has become synonymous with synonymous with REVENGE, but that REVENGE, but that totally totally doesn’t do it doesn’t do it justice!justice!

HamletHamlet was NOT was NOT Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s invention.invention.

Much of his audience Much of his audience would already have would already have been familiar with been familiar with the story.the story.

Shakespeare makes Shakespeare makes the plot subordinate the plot subordinate to character to character development and development and theme.theme.

Ur-HamletUr-Hamlet

Title refers to all Title refers to all previous previous incarnations of incarnations of HamletHamlet, and also to , and also to Francois Francois Belleforest’s Belleforest’s rendition of the rendition of the story.story.

HamletHamlet does have does have Scandinavian Scandinavian origins.origins.

HamletHamlet timeline timeline 1111thth century – earliest known refence to century – earliest known refence to

the the HamletHamlet legend, in an Icelandic poem legend, in an Icelandic poem 1212thth century – century – Historiae DanicaeHistoriae Danicae by by

historian Saxo Grammaticus. Hamlet was historian Saxo Grammaticus. Hamlet was called Amleth.called Amleth.

1570 – Belleforest’s version appears in 1570 – Belleforest’s version appears in his collection his collection Histoires Tragiques.Histoires Tragiques.

1590 – Thomas Kyd’s production of 1590 – Thomas Kyd’s production of HamletHamlet is popular in England. is popular in England.

1603 – First production of Shakespeare’s 1603 – First production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkHamlet, Prince of Denmark..

Evolution of the storyEvolution of the story

In the Norse legend, Hamlet, or In the Norse legend, Hamlet, or Amlothi, translates to “desperate in Amlothi, translates to “desperate in battle” or “simpleton”, indicating that battle” or “simpleton”, indicating that a motif of madness was already in a motif of madness was already in place.place.

Saxo’s version includes feigned Saxo’s version includes feigned madness, the pursuit of a courtesan madness, the pursuit of a courtesan (early Ophelia), and Hamlet kills the (early Ophelia), and Hamlet kills the king of Norway in single combat.king of Norway in single combat.

Further evolution…Further evolution…

Belleforest’s Belleforest’s Ur-HamletUr-Hamlet includes the includes the dumb show (Act III), the fencing dumb show (Act III), the fencing match, incest, and the ghost.match, incest, and the ghost.

However, all the earlier incarnations However, all the earlier incarnations focus rather simply on revenge and focus rather simply on revenge and bloodlust. Even Belleforest’s ghost is bloodlust. Even Belleforest’s ghost is a simple figure, causing none of the a simple figure, causing none of the metaphysical angst that we see in metaphysical angst that we see in Billy Shakes’ play.Billy Shakes’ play.

Food for thought…Food for thought…

So! If the plot So! If the plot wasn’t fresh or wasn’t fresh or new, what new, what dramatic element dramatic element should require the should require the most most consideration from consideration from the audience?the audience?

Keep the question of Keep the question of HamletHamlet’s ’s legacy in the back of your mind, as legacy in the back of your mind, as this will be the subject of your final this will be the subject of your final

analytical essay for this unit!analytical essay for this unit!

(Shoulda seen it coming…)(Shoulda seen it coming…)

The end. Hootie says hi.The end. Hootie says hi.