In this essay I will discuss the historical and mythical sources of Shakespeare's Hamlet, and briefly their relationship among one another. Although it is difficult to separate these into clearly distinguishable and exclusive categories, and perhaps even misleading to do so, I will, for getting the main facts in, try to bring them into a logical context. It will be seen that they will overlap.
When we talk about Shakespeare's sources for Hamlet, we are talking about Lucius Junius Brutus, who tries to save himself by feigning stupidity to his uncle, the king. About Nero, the insane murderer of his mother, of whom Uncle Claudius feigns in his youth stupidity as well for escaping being murdered and finally about Orestas, who becomes mad after his mother was murdered.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the Sources of Hamlet
2. Analysis of the Ur-Hamlet Theory
3. Historical and Mythical Parallels
4. Conclusion and Modern Interpretation
Objectives and Research Themes
This essay explores the historical and mythical origins of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," analyzing how various classical figures and earlier narrative traditions were synthesized into a complex, modern hero. The research aims to determine the extent of Shakespeare's creative transformation of these sources.
- Historical and mythical sources (Brutus, Nero, Orestes)
- The "Ur-Hamlet" theory and early performance history
- Comparative analysis of the Amlethus-saga
- The development of the character of Ophelia
- Modern moral relevance of the protagonist
Excerpt from the Book
When we talk about Shakespeare's sources for Hamlet, we are talking about Lucius Junius Brutus, who tries to save himself by feigning stupidity to his uncle, the king. About Nero, the insane murderer of his mother, of whom Uncle Claudius feigns in his youth stupidity as well for escaping being murdered and finally about Orestas, who becomes mad after his mother was murdered. Shakespeare recorded the relationships between these characters and combines them to a new hero. This hero of a new type has since then taken a special position in the consciousness of the people. For putting the drama in balance and to provide essential elements of human being for discussion, Shakespeare created Ophelia, a young woman, maybe a heroine. Ophelia is not modelled on other characters, but this is a discussed thesis. A few scientists on literature think, by creating Ophelia, in Shakespeare's mind was presumable the fate of the first wife of Amlethus, a nameless English princess. He discerns furthermore her relationship to the daughter of the judge Jephta and to Orestes 'sister, the unfortunate Iphigenia. Furthermore Shakespeare used the dramatic methods of the successful "Spanish Tragedy". In this revenge drama were the figures putted in a similar set of difficulties between madness and normality by Thomas Kyd, a contemporary of Shakespeare. If you focus on Shakespeare's sources and their development in "Hamlet", there are clear indications to his creative abilities and intentions.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to the Sources of Hamlet: This section identifies the key historical and mythical figures that influenced Shakespeare’s character construction.
2. Analysis of the Ur-Hamlet Theory: This chapter investigates the contested existence of an "Ur-Hamlet" and evaluates the impact of early quarto editions on our understanding of the play's development.
3. Historical and Mythical Parallels: This part examines the influence of the Amlethus-saga and the works of Saxo Grammaticus and Belleforest on the narrative structure of the play.
4. Conclusion and Modern Interpretation: The final section synthesizes the author's findings and reflects on the enduring moral relevance of the character Hamlet in contemporary society.
Keywords
Hamlet, Shakespeare, Ur-Hamlet, Amlethus-saga, Saxo Grammaticus, Belleforest, Literary sources, Mythical origins, Revenge drama, Historical parallels, Ophelia, Moral dilemma, Dramatic development, Elizabethan theater, Character analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay explores the diverse historical and mythical sources that Shakespeare utilized to craft his play "Hamlet," including figures from antiquity and earlier sagas.
Which central thematic fields are covered?
Key themes include the transformation of mythological archetypes, the textual history of the early quarto editions, and the evolution of the revenge drama genre.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to understand how Shakespeare synthesized disparate sources into a unique, modern character and to clarify the creative intentions behind these borrowings.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a comparative literary approach, examining parallels between "Hamlet" and classical literature, as well as an analysis of contemporary historical records regarding performance history.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The body analyzes the "Ur-Hamlet" theory, the historical lineage of the Amlethus-saga through Saxo Grammaticus and Belleforest, and the specific influences of figures like Nero and Orestes.
How would you describe the work with key terms?
The work is characterized by terms such as literary synthesis, textual criticism, character archetype, and historical contextualization.
Is there any evidence for the existence of an "Ur-Hamlet"?
The essay concludes that while theories of an "Ur-Hamlet" exist, evidence remains speculative and poorly proven, suggesting Shakespeare's version is a distinct creation.
How does the author characterize Ophelia's role?
Ophelia is presented as a crucial addition by Shakespeare to provide dramatic balance, with potential roots in the legend of the first wife of Amlethus and other tragic classical figures.
Why does the author consider Hamlet a "man for all ages"?
The author argues that Hamlet’s struggle to maintain moral integrity within a corrupt world transcends the Elizabethan era, making his dilemma universally relatable.
What role does the "Spanish Tragedy" play in the essay?
It is cited as a key reference for dramatic methods that influenced how Shakespeare depicted the intersection of madness and normality in "Hamlet."
- Quote paper
- Christopher Hohlbaum (Author), 2003, The historical and mythical sources of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/89398
