7.1.2

18th Century Commentary on Hamlet

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18th-Century Responses to Hamlet

18th-century commentators recognised the power of Shakespeare’s play but were also not afraid to criticise aspects of the play and its hero.

Hammer on Hamlet's character

Hammer on Hamlet's character

  • Thomas Hammer published the first critical study of play in 1736.
    • Hammer complained about certain aspects of Hamlet’s behaviour in the play, in particular what he considered to be Hamlet’s cruelty in not killing Claudius when at prayer because he wants to send him to Hell.
    • For Hammer, such an attitude was un-Christian and such behaviour was unworthy of a hero.
Hammer on Hamlet's delay

Hammer on Hamlet's delay

  • Hammer raises the issue of Hamlet’s delay but does not make it a point of controversy or debate.
  • He simply makes the point that, had Hamlet killed Claudius sooner, “there would have been an End of our Play”.
  • For Hammer, Hamlet’s delay was a necessary plot device rather than a problem.
Johnson on Hamlet's behaviour

Johnson on Hamlet's behaviour

  • Dr Samuel Johnson is perhaps the leading literary figure of the age.
  • He was also critical of Hamlet’s behaviour, complaining that he “treats Ophelia with so much rudeness… useless and wanton cruelty”.
  • Again, the complaint is rooted in the idea that, in behaving like this, Hamlet’s stature as a tragic hero is diminished.
Johnson on Hamlet's delay

Johnson on Hamlet's delay

  • Johnson touches on the problem of Hamlet’s delay and criticises Hamlet for his passivity.
  • For Johnson, Hamlet is “an instrument” rather than “an agent”. This means that, rather than actively pursuing revenge, he allows himself to be swayed by circumstance.
  • Hamlet “makes no attempt to punish” Claudius and ultimately “has no part” in planning the fencing match which will lead to Claudius’ death.
Johnson on Shakespeare's plot

Johnson on Shakespeare's plot

  • Johnson also criticised aspects of Shakespeare’s plotting.
  • He could find “no adequate cause” for Hamlet’s pretend madness “for he does nothing which he might not have done with the reputation of sanity”.
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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 18th Century Commentary on Hamlet

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  1. 1
    According to Hammer, if Hamlet had killed Claudius sooner... Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Why was Hammer critical of Hamlet's desire to send Claudius to Hell?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What were Dr Samuel Johnson's criticisms of *Hamlet*?True / false
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Introduction to Critical Debates

Romantic Commentary on Hamlet