Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

so, Where is Denmark?

http://www.britannica.com/shakespeare/art-75817

Another “exotic” setting!

Kronborg Castle

The Elizabethan World View Notes #1

To fully understand Shakespeare’s work, we must put Hamlet in the context of the… (1) Elizabethan era, (2) his audience, (3) his theatre, The Globe

The Reality of viewing Hamlet

"the two hours' traffic of our stage"

Question for deep thinking…

• Can a person remain authentic and genuine in a world that is dishonest, corrupt, and in serious FLUX? Yes or no? Can you think of any historical, political, or literary examples? Explain your answer. (10 min write)

• Stand up and exchange ideas with someone you are not sitting next to. (5 min talk)

• Share one good idea/example with the class.

The masses are not amenable to change…

3 BIG Areas of Flux• Medieval thought:

Macrocosm v. MicrocosmThe Chain of Being

• Religious Upheaval: Catholics v. Protestants (Martin Luther)

• Scientific Revolution:Ptolemaic world v. Copernican theory

“A place for everything & everything in its place”

• Belief in the “Chain of Being” = everything connected to God and every aspect of heaven & Earth connected and ORDERED!

God Angels Man beast plant stone

Elsinore AGOG!

• These principles would have been an integral part of Hamlet & Hortio’s philosophy.

• While H & H begin to question the world with a Renaissance mind, they are essentially medieval men.

• Any violation of any part of the chain of being was a destructive act that could impair the whole—or set the universe AGOG!

Macrocosm v. Microcosm• Related to the hierarchical structure in the

chain of being• The idea that the macrocosm (the universe or

heavens) is reflected in the microcosm (human life)

• Infinite divisions in the universe AND among humans

The Globe itself was a microcosm Heaven: stage roof, music came from musician’s

gallery above stage

Earth: the stage upon which the actors stood

Hell: ghosts appeared from trapdoors (under the stage)

Even The Seating represented a microcosm

• Gallery for upper classes (“box seats”)

• Rich gentlemen might sit on folding stools off to the side of stage (“courtside seats”)

Courtyard, “The Pit,” comprised of peasants standing among the muck…

THE AUDIENCEorganized by social hierarchy

Explain to your Partner

• Partner 1: explain the chain of being & why it’s important

• Partner 2: explain the microcosm and macrocosm philosophy & why it’s important

Religious change… 1517

Leading to…

Scientific Revolution:

No wonder Hamlet is so cynical, depressed, suspicious, &

angry!

• A sense of uncertainty & disorder influences many of Shakespeare’s plays, especially Hamlet

Consider all of the uncertainty & Disorder in Hamlet’s world!

• References to the stars/universe• Hamlet’s questioning mind—“Detective work”• Changing motives of Hamlet’s friends and family• The idea of Hamlet’s madness• Disease, illness, rotting• Politics of the play• Justice, Revenge, & Breaking Family Ties

And herein lies the problem of Hamlet!

Hamlet is so EMO!