6.2.1

Seneca Tragedy

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The Influence of Senecan Tragedy on Hamlet

Seneca was a Roman playwright who lived between 4 BC and 65 AD. His work had a powerful influence on English drama in the late 16th century.

*Ten Tragedies of Seneca*

Ten Tragedies of Seneca

  • An English translation of the Ten Tragedies of Seneca was published in 1581.
  • These plays were full of dramatic ingredients such as madness, violence and bloodshed which would build to a terrible catastrophe.
  • Key plot features in Hamlet - such as the appearance of a ghost calling for revenge - originated in Senecan tragedy.
Bate's view of Senecan hero

Bate's view of Senecan hero

  • The Shakespearean scholar Jonathan Bate describes the typical Senecan tragic hero as a complex figure (similar to Prince Hamlet) who "cannot easily be labelled either a hero or a villain".
  • This hero would be tormented by conflicting ideas and emotions, sharing his inner turmoil with the audience through a series of monologues.
Philosophy of Stoicism

Philosophy of Stoicism

  • Seneca’s plays also explored the philosophy of Stoicism – the belief that, as human beings are not in control of our destiny, we must learn to control our emotional responses and use our powers of reason to accept this fact.
  • Only through control, reason and acceptance will we find happiness.
  • Senecan tragic heroes fail to achieve this level of acceptance or self-control because their emotional responses to events are too strong.
Hamlet's Stoic frame of mind?

Hamlet's Stoic frame of mind?

  • But you could argue that Hamlet returns from the sea with a Stoic frame of mind in his new-found acceptance of what may befall him.
  • Hamlet tells Horatio that “There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow”, using a biblical reference to a loving God who takes care of all living things to show his acceptance of what is to come, including his own death: “If it be not now, yet it will come”.
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1

Introduction

1.1

Introduction & Background to Hamlet

1.1.1Introduction to Hamlet1.1.2The Literary Tradition of the Hamlet Story1.1.3Introduction to the Settings in Hamlet1.1.4Introduction to Social Issues Raised
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Act 1: Key Events & Ideas

2.1.1Act 1, Scene 12.1.2Act 1, Scene 22.1.3Act 1, Scene 32.1.4Act 1, Scenes 4-5
2.2

Act 2: Key Events & Ideas

2.2.1Act 2, Scene 12.2.2Act 2, Scene 2
2.3

Act 3: Key Events & Ideas

2.3.1Act 3, Scene 1: Key Events2.3.2Act 3, Scene 1: Key Ideas2.3.3Act 3, Scene 22.3.4Act 3, Scene 32.3.5Act 3, Scene 4
2.4

Act 4: Key Events & Ideas

2.4.1Act 4, Scene 12.4.2Act 4, Scenes 2-32.4.3Act 4, Scene 42.4.4Act 4, Scene 5: Key Events2.4.5Act 4, Scene 5: Key Ideas2.4.6Act 4, Scene 62.4.7Act 4, Scene 7
2.5

Act 5: Key Events & Ideas

2.5.1Act 5, Scene 1: Key Events2.5.2Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events2.5.3Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas
3

Character Profiles

3.1

Hamlet

3.1.1Hamlet's Speech & Mind3.1.2Hamlet's Heroic Status3.1.3Hamlet's State of Mind3.1.4Hamlet's Indecision/Action Taking
3.2

Claudius

3.2.1Claudius' Crime3.2.2Changing Impressions of Claudius
3.3

Gertrude

3.3.1Mystery & Hamlet's View of Gertrude3.3.2Gertrude's Character3.3.3Gertrude's Relationship with Hamlet
3.4

Ophelia

3.4.1Ophelia
3.5

Polonius

3.5.1Portrayal of Polonius & Treatment of Ophelia3.5.2Polonius' Spying & Death
3.6

Laertes

3.6.1Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia3.6.2Laertes' Character Traits
4

Key Themes

4.1

Regicide in Hamlet

4.1.1Regicide in Hamlet
4.2

Madness in Hamlet

4.2.1Madness in Hamlet
4.3

Guilt & Punishment in Hamlet

4.3.1Guilt in Hamlet4.3.2Punishment in Hamlet
4.4

Settings in Hamlet

4.4.1Physical Settings & Historical Setting of Hamlet
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure of Hamlet5.1.2'Play Within a Play' Structure5.1.3Play-Acting Motif
5.2

Form

5.2.1Soliloquy5.2.2Comedy
5.3

Imagery

5.3.1Imagery of Corruption & Decay5.3.2Imagery: Healing, Performance & Costume
5.4

Language

5.4.1Word Usage & Hendiadys5.4.2Questions & Classical Allusions
6

Context

6.1

Social & Historical Context

6.1.1Elizabeth I & Succession6.1.2Cosmic & Social Hierarchy6.1.3Renaissance & Emergence of Humanism6.1.4Regicide6.1.5The Reformation
6.2

Literary Context

6.2.1Seneca Tragedy6.2.2The Revenge Tragedy
6.3

Performance & Textual History

6.3.1Performance History of Hamlet6.3.2Textual History of Hamlet
7

Critical Debates

7.1

18-19th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.1.1Introduction to Critical Debates7.1.218th Century Commentary on Hamlet7.1.3Romantic Commentary on Hamlet
7.2

20th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.2.1Freudian Response to Hamlet7.2.2Other Early 20th Century Responses to Hamlet
7.3

Feminist Readings of Hamlet

7.3.1Introduction to Feminist Criticism7.3.2Feminist Readings of Hamlet7.3.3Presentation of Ophelia
7.4

Marxist/Political Readings of Hamlet

7.4.1Introduction to Marxist Criticisms7.4.2Marxist Readings of Hamlet

Practice questions on Seneca Tragedy

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    When does Hamlet arguably develop a Stoic frame on mind?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of these are true of Seneca?True / false
  3. 3
    Which *Hamlet* plot feature originated in Senecan tragedy? Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What are some of the core beliefs of Stoicism? Fill in the list
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The Reformation

The Revenge Tragedy