This is an extensive groups of summaries of critical interpretations that can be used. They are broken down into Author and theme. They give a brief description of what the interpretation is about and some have quotes as well.
Hamlet changes upon his return from England, more accepting and decisive. Ever since the ghost
asked him to revenge him Hamlet was preoccupied with his mother’s hasty marriage and his own
self-contempt at not carrying out his purpose, this leads to violent behaviour towards Ophelia and
his mother. Audience also feels frustration that Hamlet has done so much planning and acting but
accomplished very little. Hamlet is never alone after his return from England, no longer isolating
himself, “fighting inside his head has been replaced with real fighting” . Hamlet doesn’t need to
create an opportunity to kill Claudius but to be ready for it when it comes. Hamlet goes forward with
a clear purpose
Anne Barton
Comedy insists that life must go on, that the dead must be forgotten, and the means is always the
same: sexual love. The heroine, strong independent character is instrumental in bring about the
ending, Ophelia is this potential heroine. But Ophelia is “naïve, passive and dependent” and accepts
the patriarchal dominance in her life as she has “childish obedience”. Hamlet is Shakespeare’s only
tragic hero who is unmarried and eligible. Hamlet tried to use Ophelia’s youth and beauty to
supresses the constant memories of death and loss, she allows her self to be used as a pawn” and
this prevents her from being loyal to Hamlet.
John Hudson
Hamlet, like a clown character, exists half within the paly and half with the audience commenting on
it. Hamlet doesn’t act as Claudius would like him to, he is not fulfilling his role as a representative of
masculinity particularly in act 1 scene 2. Hamlet is miscast in his roles “he is unable to perform as
part of the world in which he lives or as the genre of revenge tragedy. His difference from the other
character in the play is accentuated by the special relationship Hamlet builds with the audience
through soliloquies. He will often turn to the audience to express what he cannot reveal to others on
stage. We are told of his suidical longing, her anguish over his mother’s quick marriage etc. post Act
5, his return from England, there are no more soliloquies as he adopts the behaviour of a revenge
hero. Almost not the same character after Act 5. Hamlet occupies a liminal position between the
stage and the audience.
Gabriel Josipovici
Hamlet all about performance, contains a play within a play but also contains a mime to which
Hamlet acts as chorus. Argues that Hamlet fulfils role as a clown as he acts as a link between the
audience and the play through soliloquies. A clown is in opposition to power, and stands with the
audience. The clown’s role is to question authority and to ensure that those in power do not take
themselves too seriously, just as Hamlet questions those in power. Comedy cures Hamlet through
the gravediggers who are also clowns, they allow Hamlet to be more accepting and show him some
perspective.
Rebecca Smith
Gertrude is a sensual and deceitful women. Gertrude caught between the two might opposites of
Claudius and Hamlet. While she is depicted as vain and self-serving she is in fact obedient, simple,
oft, and dependent.
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