Hamlet

Ever since its publication in 1603, William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet has been one of the greatest and most influential artistic works. Even today, the quote from the famous soliloquy “To be, or not to be: that is the question” is memorised by many learners of English worldwide. As a classical tragedy, the play tells the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, whose tragic flaw results in his gradual downfall. After his deceased father’s ghost informs him that Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, poisoned the king and corrupted the newlywidowed queen to marry him, the protagonist vows to take revenge and restore the usurped throne. However, he endures multifarious hardships that engender dramatic developments, making him repeatedly delay decisive action. This situation becomes even more complicated because of the tragic hero’s feigned madness. Shakespeare, a prolific Elizabethan and Jacobean poet, playwright and actor, was born in 1564. He produced at least 37 plays and 150 sonnets. He died in 1616.