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A very difficult play to date
It was entered in the Stationers’ Register in July
1602, and printed in quarto form in 1603 as The
Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
It seems very likely that Shakespeare wrote
Hamlet in 1600 (the ‘good’ quarto), but had
revised it by 1602 to produce the acted version
which was printed in the Folio (believed to be
compiled by a group of actors)
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Main source : Norse folk tale (Scandinavian
legend)of Amleth, written down in Latin by the
Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus and
expanded by a French writer, Belleforest in his
Histoires tragiques (1559-80), though it is
possible that Shakespeare knew the story only
at second hand
Belleforest’s version was translated into
English in 1608 in a version, The Historie of
Hamblet, which itself incorporates phrases from
Shakespeare’s play
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Nevertheless in both stories, no ghost has to
return to demand vengeance (Shakespeare
genius)
To have a supernatural character in a
Renaissance drama is not a weird thing to do
(theological influence)
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Hamlet is also characterised by an
unprecedented range of dramatic techniques
and styles, but the most central is the soliloquy
This dramatic technique is the most famous
opportunities in the world’s theatrical
repertoire for an actor to exhibit consciousness
in action
Most actors look forward to have these
soliloquies in order to show case their talents
and skill as actors
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A monologue
- an extended speech uttered by one
speaker, either to other or as if alone
A soliloquy
- a dramatic speech uttered by one character
speaking aloud while alone on the stage (or
while under the impression of being alone)
- soliloquist thus reveals inner thought in
feelings to the audience
1.
Hamlet in Mourning (I.2.129-57)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hamlet Swears to Revenge (I.5.96-115)
Hamlet with Hecuba (II.2.534-91)
Hamlet Contemplates with Suicide (III.1.64-96)
Claudius at Prayer (III.3.39-75)
Hamlet Attempts to Kill Claudius (III.3.75-98)
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No. 4 in the list – “To be or not to be, that is the
question”
What is the soliloquy about?
Reveals the suffering and torture in Hamlet’s
mind. It is too painful the endure the torture of
fortune and also it feels like there is no way out
of the problem. The only to get rid of this
intense feeling is to die. Sleeping/dying will
solve the suffering of a tortured soul
http://www.pathguy.com/hamlet.htm