Hamlet: Interpretations (OCR A Level English Literature): Revision Note

Interpretations

AO5 assesses your ability to understand different ways of reading and interpreting texts. Those different readings can take different forms, from interpretations discussed by different members of the peer group in your class, to reading and utilising published critical material, to watching and analysing different productions of plays.

There are numerous ways to explore “different interpretations” to meet the AO5 criterion and you must explore a range of secondary readings to supplement your understanding of the text. These can include:

• Exploring critics

• Interpretations over time

• Dramatisations

Exploring Critics

Different critics will offer varied insights and interpretations of Hamlet and citations will lend credibility and authority to your analysis. Referencing well-known critics demonstrates that your interpretation is grounded in literary criticism. It will also enhance the validity of your argument. By citing multiple critics you can present a more comprehensive and balanced analysis and demonstrate the different range of perspectives and interpretations surrounding the play.

Below are some notable critics who have commented on Hamlet:

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

• Coleridge’s insights have influenced subsequent generations of scholars and critics, contributing to the ongoing analysis and interpretation of Hamlet

• Coleridge's commentary on Hamlet is significant not only for its appreciation of the play's literary qualities but also for its recognition of the psychological and philosophical dimensions of the characters and themes

• Coleridge praised Hamlet for having “the most perfect plot ever planned” and he was fascinated with Hamlet as a character who grapples with philosophical and moral dilemmas:

  • He noted Hamlet's introspection and the play's exploration of moral ambiguity 

• He saw the play as exploring profound questions about the nature of existence, the human condition and the struggle between good and evil

A.C. Bradley (1851-1935)

• Bradley was a prominent Shakespearean scholar and his work “Shakespearean Tragedy” is considered a classic in literary criticism 

• Bradley explored the idea of Hamlet's tragic flaw, which he identified as a profound and all-consuming intellectualism:

  • According to Bradley, Hamlet's tendency to overthink and analyse every situation, his obsession with philosophical and moral questions and his hesitation to take immediate action were all manifestations of this 

• Bradley's interpretation of Hamlet's delay in avenging his father's murder is closely tied to his view of Hamlet's tragic flaw:

  • He saw Hamlet's delay as a result of his intellectual nature, his need for certainty and moral justification and his inner struggle with the consequences of violence 

• Bradley's emphasis on the psychological and moral complexities of Hamlet continue to shape discussions of the play today

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

• The founder of psychoanalysis, Freud wrote the essay “The Interpretation of Dreams” and offered a unique and influential perspective on Hamlet through the lens of psychoanalytic theory 

• In his essay, Freud explored the psychological aspects of Hamlet's character and the Oedipus complex:

  • He argued that Hamlet's intense ambivalence and delayed action in avenging his father's murder can be understood in terms of his unresolved Oedipal feelings

• According to Freud, Hamlet's complex psychological state arises from his repressed sexual desire for his mother, Queen Gertrude:

  • He suggests that Hamlet's disgust and anger toward his mother's marriage to Claudius reflect his unconscious wish to possess her himself

• He suggested that Hamlet's “antic disposition” allows him to express his repressed thoughts and feelings more freely 

• Freud's psychoanalytic interpretation of Hamlet has had a lasting impact on the study of the play, opening up discussions about the psychological motivations and conflicts of Shakespeare's characters:

  • While not all scholars agree with Freud's analysis, his perspective has contributed to the ongoing exploration of the complex psychology of Hamlet and the characters in the play

T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)

• In his essay “Hamlet and His Problems” Eliot argued that the play is “most certainly an artistic failure” due to its inconsistencies and lack of a unified theme

• Eliot's analysis takes a somewhat critical view of the play, highlighting what he sees as its structural and thematic issues

• Eliot suggests that Hamlet is an artistic failure because the character lacks the necessary motivations and characteristics of a traditional tragic hero:

  • According to Eliot, Hamlet's inability to take action is a significant flaw in the play

• Eliot critiques the play's plot due to its lack of a unified theme or plot:

  • He believes that the play's various subplots do not come together coherently, making it difficult for audiences to discern a clear central theme 

• It is important to note that Eliot's perspective on Hamlet is a critical one and does not align with the more traditional or celebratory views of the play:

  • His essay has sparked debates and discussions among critics, with some agreeing with his assessment and others defending the artistic merits of Hamlet as one of Shakespeare's greatest works

Marjorie Garber (born 1944) 

• In her book “Shakespeare After All” Garber highlights the play’s treatment of ambiguity and its role in shaping cultural and literary interpretations

• Garber explores the theme of ambiguity in Hamlet and suggests that the play is rich in multivalence (meaning it can be interpreted in multiple ways)

• She discusses how the play itself is filled with references to acting, deception and the blurring of reality and performance

• Garber offers a feminist perspective on Hamlet and analyses the female characters in the play, such as Gertrude and Ophelia, and discusses their roles in the patriarchal society of Elsinore

Interpretations over time

Interpretations of Hamlet have evolved significantly over time which reflect shifts in cultural and literary perspectives. Below are some examples of how interpretations of the play have evolved over time and these are also explored in relation to some schools of critical reading.  

Early Interpretations: 17th Century

• In the 17th century, Hamlet was primarily viewed as a revenge tragedy:

• This genre of drama, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, typically featured a protagonist seeking vengeance for a wrongful act, often involving murder or betrayal 

• Early interpretations of Hamlet often explored its exploration of moral and political themes:

  • As Elizabethan/Jacobean England was a period marked by political intrigue and power struggles, the themes of usurpation, regicide and the moral responsibilities of leaders resonated with the political climate of the time

Romantic Interpretations: 18th Century

• The Romantic interpretation of Hamlet often highlighted the existential and moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist

• Hamlet's sense of alienation and his struggle with existential questions about the meaning of life were seen as reflections of the Romantic fascination with individualism and the human psyche

• Romantic critics explored the dichotomy between Hamlet's inner turmoil and the external conflicts in the play:

  • They examined how Hamlet's internal struggles, such as his grief, anger and moral questioning, influenced his actions and decisions

• Romantic interpretations of the play often drew connections between Hamlet's inner world and the natural and supernatural elements in the play:

  • Hamlet's soliloquies, for example, were seen as moments of unity with nature, reflecting the Romantic reverence for the natural world

Freudian Interpretations: 20th Century

• According to Freud, Hamlet's internal conflict arises from his unresolved Oedipal feelings, leading to hesitation and psychological turmoil

• Freudian interpretations focus on Hamlet's unconscious desires, particularly his desire for his mother and his ambivalence about his father's death

• Critics explore how these repressed desires create a sense of guilt and conflict within Hamlet's psyche, causing him to struggle with the moral and psychological implications of revenge:

  • Hamlet's soliloquies, such as “To be or not to be” are seen as reflections of his introspection and existential crisis

• Freudian interpretations also touch on broader societal and moral issues:

  • They explore how Hamlet's psychological struggles reflect deeper questions about morality, desire and the human condition, particularly in the context of a corrupt court

New Historicist Interpretations: 21st Century

• A New Historicist interpretation places the play within its historical and cultural context:

  • It explores how these themes relate to the political climate of Shakespeare's time

• This approach allows for an understanding of the play as a text deeply embedded in its time and culture:

  • For example, the play can be seen as reflecting concerns about the succession of monarchs, the shifting dynamics of power and the role of a ruler in society

• New Historicists are also interested in how literature can both reinforce and subvert dominant ideologies:

  • In the play, characters like Hamlet can be seen as challenging the status quo, subverting authority and questioning the established norms

Feminist Interpretations: 21st Century

• Feminist interpretations of the play often examine the power dynamics within the play's patriarchal society

• The dominance of male characters and the limited agency of female characters, such as Gertrude and Ophelia, are seen as reflections of gender inequality

• Gertrude through a feminist lens explores her agency and her struggle to maintain her position in a patriarchal society:

  • Others explore her vulnerability and how she is often used as a pawn in the political machinations of the court 

• Feminist critics have also explored how Ophelia's character represents the vulnerability of women in a society that dictates their roles and expectations 

Postcolonial Interpretations: 21st Century

• Postcolonial interpretations of Hamlet examine the play in the context of colonialism,  imperialism and the broader issues of power, domination and resistance

• Critics explore how Hamlet reflects the cultural and political dynamics of Shakespeare's time and the impact of colonialism on literature

• Postcolonial readings of the play explore themes of resistance and subversion:

  • Hamlet's quest for justice and his resistance against a corrupt court can be seen as a form of resistance against oppressive power structures

Dramatisations

Dramatisations of Hamlet convey different readings and interpretations of the text. Directors and actors make choices regarding performance, setting, costumes and character portrayals, all of which can influence the audience's understanding of the play. There are many different dramatisations of Hamlet which present diverse readings and interpretations of the play. These interpretations shed light on the depth and complexity of the characters, highlighting diverse aspects of their motivations and psychological states. 

Examining various productions of Hamlet will enable you to appreciate different interpretations of the characters and themes and also how they may have evolved over time, reflecting shifts in society and culture. Below are two examples of different film productions of Hamlet, though you should view a wide range of film and stage performances of the play to help inform your own interpretations.

Hamlet: Lawrence Olivier film adaptation (1948)

Laurence Olivier's portrayal of Hamlet in the 1948 adaptation leans toward a classical and introspective interpretation, focusing on Hamlet's intellectual and philosophical aspects. 

• Olivier's portrayal of Hamlet in the 1948 adaptation is characterised by a classical approach to Shakespearean theatre

• In this adaptation, Hamlet is marked by a deep sense of melancholy and introspection

• The production conveys Hamlet's inner turmoil and existential crisis with a focus on his psychological complexity:

  • The film places a strong emphasis on Hamlet's existential angst, particularly in the “To be or not to be” soliloquy  

• Olivier's film places a greater focus on the political intrigue within the Danish court and the broader implications of Hamlet's actions

• Olivier's adaptation incorporates more humour, particularly in Hamlet's interactions with other characters

• Gertrude is presented as a maternal and affectionate figure who is emotionally torn but ultimately sympathetic, which suggests a degree of innocence

• Ophelia is presented as an innocent and fragile victim of circumstances and the film underscores her vulnerability 

• Olivier's portrayal of Claudius retains an air of ambiguity:

  • While his guilt in King Hamlet's murder is evident, the film does not delve deeply into his motivations or inner turmoil  

Hamlet: Franco Zeffirelli's film adaptation (1990)

Franco Zeffirelli's 1990 adaptation, presents a more youthful, emotionally intense and physically active Hamlet, set in a contemporary context with a greater emphasis on political and family conflicts.

• Zeffirelli’s portrayal of Hamlet is characterised by youthfulness and impulsiveness:

  • This Hamlet is more emotionally volatile and less restrained than Olivier's interpretation 

• Zeffirelli's film focuses on physicality and action which aligns with the portrayal of Hamlet as a more impulsive and physically active character   

• Zeffirelli's adaptation places a stronger emphasis on family dynamics, particularly the romantic relationship between Claudius and Gertrude:

  • The film explores the tensions and complexities within the royal family

• Zeffirelli's adaptation leans into the darker and more tragic aspects of the play,  underscoring the psychological and emotional turmoil of the characters

• This adaptation suggests a greater degree of complicity on Gertrude's part in King Hamlet's murder:

  • Her awareness of the murder and her swift remarriage to Claudius are presented in a way that implies her deeper involvement  

• The film depicts the conflict between Gertrude and Hamlet, portraying their relationship as strained and confrontational:

  • Gertrude is less passive and more assertive in her interactions with her son

• Ophelia is presented as a more passionate and assertive character who rebels against her circumstances

• Claudius is portrayed as ruthless and manipulative in his pursuit of power, who becomes increasingly guilt-ridden and paranoid:

  • His reactions to the play-within-a-play and his interactions with Hamlet reveal his growing unease and fear of exposure