Hamlet

Winterslow Sessions Spring/Summer 2010


In the introductory session, we discussed

- the cultural barrier to studying Shakespeare, and why this exists; I read the script of a scene in Michael Leigh's Abigail's Party in which Lawrence shows off his expensively produced set of Shakespeare, proudly displayed in his living room, but comments that ,of course, noone can actually read the stuff!
- the cultural barrier to studying Hamlet, caused by the fact that everyone 'knows' Hamlet already. Scenes such as Hamlet addressing Yorick's skull have entered the general culture and are frequently referenced eg in cartoons. The play is 'known' in this way as being a meditation on death, Hamlet often being incorrectly perceived as uttering, 'To be, or not to be, that is the question' as he ponders over the skull
- Adam McNaughton's lyrics Oor Hamlet, an amusing and succinct summary of the plot
- the plot as merely a vehicle for themes; notions of 'originality'
- the relevance of Sh. having lost a son (Hamnet) in 1596 and a father in 1601
- the relevance of Tudor concerns over the stability of the state and the likely succession of a foreign king to the English throne (James VI of Scotland) - parallel with accession of Fortinbras??
- the question of procrastination: does Hamlet delay? Why? I read out some research from a recent Economist article on why we find it difficult to do things (like keep new year resolutions?) when the cost is short term and the benefit long term
- the Oedipal 'explanation' for Hamlet's inability to act; David Tennant's puzzling comments on this in his web interview
- Hamlet's own explanation in the 'Now might I do it pat, now [he] is apraying' soliloquy


For close reading, we looked at the start of the play

- I suggested that the characteristic uncertainty and suspicion are established in the first two lines, and even in the first two words ('Who's there?')
- I suggested that Claudius could be seen as a 'good' king, who tries to avoid wars through using alternative dispute resolution (ie, diplomacy via Cornelius and Voltemand)
- I asked which King you would prefer? the warlike old Hamlet or the diplomatic Claudius - thus raising a counter-textual reading
- we noted that Claudius sounded the part, made quick and sound decisions, and appeared to slight Hamlet by addressing Laertes' suit to him before turning to his new son-in-law
- we noted that Laertes was allowed to leave the court, but Hamlet was denied permission - the King clearly wants him where he can keep an eye on what he's up to (suspicion and surveillance themes)


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Hamlet index

I Curr 2010