Hamlet
This study guide will help you analyze William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. In addition to help with your analysis, you will also find a summary of the play as well as inspiration for interpreting it and putting it into perspective.
Note: A text version of Hamlet can be found online as well as in various textbooks. While the numbers of acts and scenes are always the same, line numbers may vary depending on the edition.
Presentation of the text
Title: Hamlet (1601/1602)
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Genre: Drama
Hamlet is one of the most famous works of literature. What makes the play so famous is not the revenge story it presents, but the unique character of the protagonist and the depth with which he reflects on human life.
The protagonist’s inner life is accurately portrayed against a backdrop of murderous intrigue, complicated love relationships, and a mystical ghostly apparition. Through the eyes of the prince, we are encouraged to reflect on central themes of human life, such as suicide and death, honor and duty, revenge and conscience, or love and betrayal.
It is therefore not surprising that Hamlet is constantly being remade in both theater and cinema even today.
More help
In our topic guide about William Shakespeare, you can find more information on how to analyze a Shakespeare play, read about the historical context (the Elizabethan era), and learn more about Shakespeare texts in relation to your SRP or exam.