Hamlet

Author: Shakespeare
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Among the tragedies of this great playwright, Hamlet stands out for its mysterious and enigmatic character portrayal, or rather, its philosophical depth, which has led to endless debates among later generations. Key plot elements such as the king being murdered by his evil brother, the throne being usurped, the queen marrying her killer in an incestuous union, and the prince feigning madness to seek revenge are all found in ancient Nordic legends, particularly in the "Amleth" episode from Saxo Grammaticus's Latin historical work, Gesta Danorum. These long-forgotten original sources originally only recorded rough plots and faint names, devoid of character and action; yet, in Shakespeare's hands, readers find themselves immersed in a vivid cast of characters.