Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-3-2-textual-history-of-hamlet [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [OCR](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr.md) › [English Lit: OCR A Level - Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet.md) › Textual History of Hamlet # Textual History of Hamlet English Lit: OCR A Level - Hamlet, topic 6.3.2 ## Textual History of *Hamlet* Confusing as it may seem, there are 3 different versions of Shakespeare’s play: the first and second quartos and the first folio. ### The First Quarto (Q1) ![The First Quarto (Q1)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-06/c1d1c9a1-ce98-4906-9b4a-763357951d14/step1-1.jpg) - The First Quarto (Q1) was published in 1603 (although not discovered until 1823). It is about half the length of the version of the play you will be studying. - Q1 is generally considered to be a ‘bad copy’ of Shakespeare’s play. Many scholars believe it is a pirated version of the play, using a minor actor’s memory of each character’s lines and then rushed to print by a publisher trying to cash in on the success of the play. ### Usefulness of the First Quarto ![Usefulness of the First Quarto](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/5.2.3%20Radioactive%20decay/time-430625_640.jpg) - Q1 is useful to scholars for 2 main reasons: - With a running time between 2 and 2 ½ hours, this ‘short’ version of *Hamlet* may be closer to what Elizabethan audiences would have seen on stage. Some scholars have proposed that it may be a script based on a ‘touring’ version of the play. - Its helpful stage directions tell us how the play may have looked on stage. - E.g. Ophelia entering with her **“hair down”** in Act 4 Scene 5 signalling her descent into madness. ### The Second Quarto (Q2) ![The Second Quarto (Q2)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-06/2852a728-a8f9-4d18-8531-8ade4688f9ba/2-step-2.jpg) - The Second Quarto (Q2) was published in 1604. - This version of the play is generally believed to be the closest to what Shakespeare wrote in 1599. - It is the longest version (4,000 lines long) and, as a result, would have been too long to perform on the Elizabethan stage, taking 4 hours + even at top speed. - It has been suggested (e.g. by Giorgio Melchiori in 1992) that this version of play was meant to be read, rather than performed. ### The First Folio (F1) ![The First Folio (F1)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/bd2500fa-24d7-437b-933e-cc075d598c6c/Shakespeare-.jpg) - The First Folio (F1) appeared in the *Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies* published seven years after Shakespeare’s death (1623). - It omits roughly 230 words from Q2 but adds 70 more which are not found in Q2. Most modern editions use F1 to ‘correct’ what are believed to be errors in Q2. ## Test yourself on Textual History of Hamlet - Which of these are true of the First Folio (F1) of *Hamlet*? - Which of these are true of the Second Quarto (Q2) of *Hamlet*? - Which version of *Hamlet* is believed to be closest to what Shakespeare wrote in 1599? - What are the three versions of Shakespeare's *Hamlet*? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8dece131-d168-46de-9b11-ea7deb49963f/section/9ebddb77-2af5-4827-8ab6-170cc7c6070d/session) - Previous topic: [6.3.1 Performance History of Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-3-1-performance-history-of-hamlet.md) - Next topic: [7.1.1 Introduction to Critical Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-1-1-introduction-to-critical-debates.md) ## English Lit: OCR A Level - Hamlet contents ### 1 Introduction - 1.1 Introduction & Background to Hamlet - [1.1.1 Introduction to Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/1-1-1-introduction-to-hamlet.md) - [1.1.2 The Literary Tradition of the Hamlet Story](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/1-1-2-the-literary-tradition-of-the-hamlet-story.md) - [1.1.3 Introduction to the Settings in Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/1-1-3-introduction-to-the-settings-in-hamlet.md) - [1.1.4 Introduction to Social Issues Raised](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/1-1-4-introduction-to-social-issues-raised.md) ### 2 Plot Summary - 2.1 Act 1: Key Events & Ideas - [2.1.1 Act 1, Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-1-1-act-1-scene-1.md) - [2.1.2 Act 1, Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-1-2-act-1-scene-2.md) - [2.1.3 Act 1, Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-1-3-act-1-scene-3.md) - [2.1.4 Act 1, Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-1-4-act-1-scenes-4-5.md) - 2.2 Act 2: Key Events & Ideas - [2.2.1 Act 2, Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-2-1-act-2-scene-1.md) - [2.2.2 Act 2, Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-2-2-act-2-scene-2.md) - 2.3 Act 3: Key Events & Ideas - [2.3.1 Act 3, Scene 1: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-3-1-act-3-scene-1-key-events.md) - [2.3.2 Act 3, Scene 1: Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-3-2-act-3-scene-1-key-ideas.md) - [2.3.3 Act 3, Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-3-3-act-3-scene-2.md) - [2.3.4 Act 3, Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-3-4-act-3-scene-3.md) - [2.3.5 Act 3, Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-3-5-act-3-scene-4.md) - 2.4 Act 4: Key Events & Ideas - [2.4.1 Act 4, Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-4-1-act-4-scene-1.md) - [2.4.2 Act 4, Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-4-2-act-4-scenes-2-3.md) - [2.4.3 Act 4, Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-4-3-act-4-scene-4.md) - [2.4.4 Act 4, Scene 5: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-4-4-act-4-scene-5-key-events.md) - [2.4.5 Act 4, Scene 5: Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-4-5-act-4-scene-5-key-ideas.md) - [2.4.6 Act 4, Scene 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-4-6-act-4-scene-6.md) - [2.4.7 Act 4, Scene 7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-4-7-act-4-scene-7.md) - 2.5 Act 5: Key Events & Ideas - [2.5.1 Act 5, Scene 1: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-5-1-act-5-scene-1-key-events.md) - [2.5.2 Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-5-2-act-5-scene-2-key-events.md) - [2.5.3 Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/2-5-3-act-5-scene-2-key-ideas.md) ### 3 Character Profiles - 3.1 Hamlet - [3.1.1 Hamlet's Speech & Mind](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-1-1-hamlets-speech-and-mind.md) - [3.1.2 Hamlet's Heroic Status](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-1-2-hamlets-heroic-status.md) - [3.1.3 Hamlet's State of Mind](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-1-3-hamlets-state-of-mind.md) - [3.1.4 Hamlet's Indecision/Action Taking](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-1-4-hamlets-indecisionaction-taking.md) - 3.2 Claudius - [3.2.1 Claudius' Crime](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-2-1-claudius-crime.md) - [3.2.2 Changing Impressions of Claudius](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-2-2-changing-impressions-of-claudius.md) - 3.3 Gertrude - [3.3.1 Mystery & Hamlet's View of Gertrude](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-3-1-mystery-and-hamlets-view-of-gertrude.md) - [3.3.2 Gertrude's Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-3-2-gertrudes-character.md) - [3.3.3 Gertrude's Relationship with Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-3-3-gertrudes-relationship-with-hamlet.md) - 3.4 Ophelia - [3.4.1 Ophelia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-4-1-ophelia.md) - 3.5 Polonius - [3.5.1 Portrayal of Polonius & Treatment of Ophelia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-5-1-portrayal-of-polonius-and-treatment-of-ophelia.md) - [3.5.2 Polonius' Spying & Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-5-2-polonius-spying-and-death.md) - 3.6 Laertes - [3.6.1 Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-6-1-laertes-popularity-and-relationship-with-ophelia.md) - [3.6.2 Laertes' Character Traits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/3-6-2-laertes-character-traits.md) ### 4 Key Themes - 4.1 Regicide in Hamlet - [4.1.1 Regicide in Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/4-1-1-regicide-in-hamlet.md) - 4.2 Madness in Hamlet - [4.2.1 Madness in Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/4-2-1-madness-in-hamlet.md) - 4.3 Guilt & Punishment in Hamlet - [4.3.1 Guilt in Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/4-3-1-guilt-in-hamlet.md) - [4.3.2 Punishment in Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/4-3-2-punishment-in-hamlet.md) - 4.4 Settings in Hamlet - [4.4.1 Physical Settings & Historical Setting of Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/4-4-1-physical-settings-and-historical-setting-of-hamlet.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Structure - [5.1.1 Structure of Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-1-1-structure-of-hamlet.md) - [5.1.2 'Play Within a Play' Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-1-2-play-within-a-play-structure.md) - [5.1.3 Play-Acting Motif](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-1-3-play-acting-motif.md) - 5.2 Form - [5.2.1 Soliloquy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-2-1-soliloquy.md) - [5.2.2 Comedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-2-2-comedy.md) - 5.3 Imagery - [5.3.1 Imagery of Corruption & Decay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-3-1-imagery-of-corruption-and-decay.md) - [5.3.2 Imagery: Healing, Performance & Costume](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-3-2-imagery-healing-performance-and-costume.md) - 5.4 Language - [5.4.1 Word Usage & Hendiadys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-4-1-word-usage-and-hendiadys.md) - [5.4.2 Questions & Classical Allusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/5-4-2-questions-and-classical-allusions.md) ### 6 Context - 6.1 Social & Historical Context - [6.1.1 Elizabeth I & Succession](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-1-1-elizabeth-i-and-succession.md) - [6.1.2 Cosmic & Social Hierarchy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-1-2-cosmic-and-social-hierarchy.md) - [6.1.3 Renaissance & Emergence of Humanism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-1-3-renaissance-and-emergence-of-humanism.md) - [6.1.4 Regicide](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-1-4-regicide.md) - [6.1.5 The Reformation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-1-5-the-reformation.md) - 6.2 Literary Context - [6.2.1 Seneca Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-2-1-seneca-tragedy.md) - [6.2.2 The Revenge Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-2-2-the-revenge-tragedy.md) - 6.3 Performance & Textual History - [6.3.1 Performance History of Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-3-1-performance-history-of-hamlet.md) - [6.3.2 Textual History of Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/6-3-2-textual-history-of-hamlet.md) ### 7 Critical Debates - 7.1 18-19th Century Responses to Hamlet - [7.1.1 Introduction to Critical Debates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-1-1-introduction-to-critical-debates.md) - [7.1.2 18th Century Commentary on Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-1-2-18th-century-commentary-on-hamlet.md) - [7.1.3 Romantic Commentary on Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-1-3-romantic-commentary-on-hamlet.md) - 7.2 20th Century Responses to Hamlet - [7.2.1 Freudian Response to Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-2-1-freudian-response-to-hamlet.md) - [7.2.2 Other Early 20th Century Responses to Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-2-2-other-early-20th-century-responses-to-hamlet.md) - 7.3 Feminist Readings of Hamlet - [7.3.1 Introduction to Feminist Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-3-1-introduction-to-feminist-criticism.md) - [7.3.2 Feminist Readings of Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-3-2-feminist-readings-of-hamlet.md) - [7.3.3 Presentation of Ophelia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-3-3-presentation-of-ophelia.md) - 7.4 Marxist/Political Readings of Hamlet - [7.4.1 Introduction to Marxist Criticisms](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-4-1-introduction-to-marxist-criticisms.md) - [7.4.2 Marxist Readings of Hamlet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/ocr/hamlet/7-4-2-marxist-readings-of-hamlet.md)