Hamlet story

play: Hamlet (1602) · 1602 · William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1602. Set in Denmark, the play depicts Prince Hamlet and his revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father in order to seize his throne and marry Hamlet's mother.

26 total · 4 choice · 12 major · 9 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
courtly intrigues choice The drama took place in the royal court of Denmark as people were jostling for power, marriage, and prestige.
despair choice Hamlet was thought to have gone mad and he was, in fact, brooding over existential matters, suicide, etc.
regicide choice Claudius killed King Hamlet. Hamlet killed King Claudius.
the desire for vengeance choice Hamlet sought revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who had murdered Hamlet's father in order to seize his throne and marry Hamlet's mother Gertrude. Laertes sought vengeance against Hamlet for the killing of Polonius.
acting major There was a theater group and a play within the play. Hamlet was fascinated with the group and modified the play they performed at court.
coping with the death of a parent major Hamlet and Laertes grieved for their respective fathers.
decision making in the face of uncertainty major much of Hamlet's troubles were due to the fact that he strongly suspected murder (on the word of a ghost) yet had no evidence
descent into madness major his father's death and the subsequent revelation that it was murder, seemed to drive Hamlet into something that people around him thought was madness
father and son major Hamlet and late King Hamlet who came back as a ghost briefly
mother and son major Hamlet and Gertrude