Hamlet BackgroundIntroduction Historical Background Written in 1602 One

Hamlet Background/Introduction

Historical Background • Written in 1602 • One of the earliest tragedies, so lighter in violence than Macbeth • More of a psychological tragedy • One of Shakespeare’s longest plays • A complicated cast of characters

Setting: Denmark • Elsinore = Hamlet’s castle

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark § Kenneth Branagh, 1996 film • His father (Hamlet, Sr. ) has been dead two months • He is home from the university in Germany • Battles depression & anger issues • Hamlet’s is somewhere between 16 -30 yrs old.

Claudius • Hamlet’s uncle • King after his brother’s death • Married to Gertrude

Gertrude • Hamlet’s mother • Married his uncle only one month after Hamlet senior’s death. • Hamlet is very angry at her for this

Polonius • Father of Ophelia and Laertes • Chamberlain to the King • Talkative, kiss-up, nosy

Ophelia • Daughter of Polonius • Sister of Laertes • Hamlet wrote her love letters before. • She is smitten with him. Kate Winslet

Laertes • Ophelia’s brother • Does not want her involved with Hamlet • Foil for Hamlet in many ways

Horatio • Hamlet’s best friend • From Denmark • Also attended college with him in Germany

Rosencratz and Guildenstern • Childhood friends of Hamlet • Summoned to court by the King • Totally overwhelmed by the “honor” of being part of court intrigue

Fortinbras • Prince of Norway, whose father was killed by Hamlet’s father. • Seeking revenge by reclaiming the land that Denmark took during the previous war. • Similar to Hamlet, his uncle is now the King of Norway. • He is also a foil for Hamlet.