Introduction to Critical Debates
English Lit: OCR A Level - Hamlet, topic 7.1.1
Introduction to Critical Debates About Hamlet
Since the 18th century, debate on Hamlet has tended to centre on certain key questions. This section will explore the key issues identified below, as well as different schools of thoughts and production factors.
Key issues explored by critics
- Hamlet’s delay.
- Hamlet reproaches himself for his delay in killing Claudius. Is there some ‘flaw’ in him which prevents him from taking action or are circumstances beyond his control?
- Hamlet’s madness.
- To what extent is Hamlet’s madness feigned or genuine? If genuine, what is the cause?
- The role of Gertrude.
- How complicit is she in her husband’s death? Is her and Claudius’ remarriage a necessary act to stabilise the kingdom of Denmark or is it evidence of adulterous lust?
Points of view to consider
- This section will consider how criticism of Hamlet has developed over time, from the thoughts of famous 18th-century commentators, such as Dr Samuel Johnson, through to present-day critics and scholars.
- This section will consider different ‘schools’ of criticism (e.g. feminist or Marxist readings of the play).
Things to consider when writing about Hamlet
- The production history of Hamlet.
- Each production of Hamlet (film or on stage) is a new interpretation of the play.
- The textual history of the play.
- Different versions of Hamlet were published in 1603, 1604 and 1623. There is no single ‘definitive’ version of the play: even the edition you are studying is likely to be a ‘hybrid’ of these 3 different editions. Each new production/publication has to make a series of crucial decisions as to which edition of Hamlet to use at different moments.
Test yourself on Introduction to Critical Debates
What key issues has debate on Hamlet tended to focus on since the 18th Century?
Which of these is a famous 18-century Hamlet critic?