• Hamlet's Delay
  Essay examining one of the best-known critical problems in Shakespeare studies: the reason's for Hamlet's delay. Why doesn't he act sooner?
• Exploring Hamlet's Hesitation
  In this essay, the author provides perspective on Hamlet's delay and explores possible reasons for Hamlet's inaction.
• Is Hamlet Sane?
  A discussion of Hamlet's mental state and his underlying sanity. Is Hamlet sane?
• The Ghost: Is He Really Hamlet's Father?
  The author discusses the role of the Ghost and addresses the question of whether the Ghost is really Hamlet's father.
• The Character of Ophelia: Why Does She Go Mad?
  Essay examining the character of Ophelia and the reasons for her madness. The author probes Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet.
• To Thine Own Self Be True: An Analysis
  In this essay, the author discusses the meaning of Polonius's celebrated words, which he speaks to his son Laertes before Laertes's departure for travel abroad.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
  In this essay, the author examines the minor characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and their role in the play. Why do they appear in Hamlet?
• Minor Characters and the Number Three
  In this essay, J. R. Costa discusses numbers as sources of superstition for the Elizabethans. In Hamlet, a motif of the number three is evident, particularly in the organization of the minor characters, including Marcellus, Bernardo, Claudius, Fortinbras, Horatio, and Polonius.
• To See or Not to See: Fortinbras in Two Film Productions of Hamlet
  J. R. Costa discusses two popular film versions of Hamlet, including Zeffirelli's 1990 version with Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, and Kenneth Branagh's effort with himself and Julie Christie.
• Hamlet and Macbeth: A Comparison
  In this essay, the author compares the themes, characters, and conclusions of Hamlet and Macbeth.
• The Theme of Pretense in Shakespeare's Hamlet
  In this essay, the author examines the theme of pretense in Hamlet, or the contrast between illusion and reality. The essay draws on Maynard Mack's widely cited essay on Hamlet, "The World of Hamlet."
• Analysis of Act Five of Shakespeare's Hamlet
  R. Moore examines the last act in Hamlet, where Osric, as well as the gravediggers are introduced. This essay includes a discussion of the comedic and satiric elements in the act.
• Character Analysis of Horatio
  R. Moore discusses in-depth the character of Horatio, his role in the play, and his nature in contrast to Hamlet and the other characters in the play.
• Comment on Hamlet's "To Be or Not to Be" Soliloquy
  This essay discusses Hamlet's famous soliloquy in relation to the major themes of the play.
• Staging for Shakespeare's Hamlet: Act II, Scene ii, Lines 85-221
  R. Moore gives a detailed staging plan of this scene for a theatrical production of Hamlet, including set, costumes, and movement.
• The Nature of Hamlet's Character
  In this essay, the author addresses the character of Hamlet, and argues that Hamlet's actions can be explained by his cautious nature, ethical considerations, and his sense of loneliness.
• Hamlet's Delay: An Objective and Subjective Analysis Compared
  An examination of two schools of thought concerning Hamlet's character, as seen through two critical works: Elliot's Scourge and Minister and Peter Waldeck's "Anxiety, Tragedy, and Hamlet's Delay."
• Analysis of Three Critical Works on Hamlet
  In this essay, the author discusses three eminent Shakespearean critics' works: E.M.W. Tillyard's classification of Hamlet as a problem play, C.S. Lewis's "Hamlet—The Prince or the Poem?", and John Dover Wilson's explication of the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
• Hamlet: History, Religion, and Myth
  In this essay, the author gives a comprehensive overview of the historical, mythical, and religious content of Hamlet, drawing on numerous critical works.

Related Topics

1. Hamlet: Introduction
2. William Shakespeare Biography
3. Reading Shakespeare
4. List of Characters
5. Historical Background
6. One-Page Summary
7. Summary and Analysis
   1. Act I, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
   2. Act I, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
   3. Act I, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis
   4. Act I, Scene 4 Summary and Analysis
   5. Act I, Scene 5 Summary and Analysis
   6. Act II, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
   7. Act II, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
   8. Act III, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
   9. Act III, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
   10. Act III, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis
   11. Act III, Scene 4 Summary and Analysis
   12. Act IV, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
   13. Act IV, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
   14. Act IV, Scene 3 Summary and Analysis
   15. Act IV, Scene 4 Summary and Analysis
   16. Act IV, Scene 5 Summary and Analysis
   17. Act IV, Scene 6 Summary and Analysis
   18. Act IV, Scene 7 Summary and Analysis
   19. Act V, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
   20. Act V, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
8. Critical Commentary
   1. Preface to the Critical Commentary
   2. Act I Commentary
   3. Act II Commentary
   4. Act III Commentary
   5. Act IV Commentary
   6. Act V Commentary
9. Quizzes
   1. Act I Questions and Answers
   2. Act II Questions and Answers
   3. Act III Questions and Answers
   4. Act IV Questions and Answers
   5. Act V Questions and Answers
10. Themes
11. Character Analysis
    1. Other Characters (Descriptions)
    2. Hamlet (Character Analysis)
    3. Claudius (Character Analysis)
    4. Gertrude (Character Analysis)
    5. Ghost (Character Analysis)
    6. Horatio (Character Analysis)
    7. Laertes (Character Analysis)
    8. Ophelia (Character Analysis)
12. Principal Topics
13. Essays
    1. Hamlet's Delay
    2. Exploring Hamlet's Hesitation
    3. Is Hamlet Sane?
    4. The Ghost: Is He Really Hamlet's Father?
    5. The Character of Ophelia: Why Does She Go Mad?
    6. To Thine Own Self Be True: An Analysis
    7. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
    8. Minor Characters and the Number Three
    9. To See or Not to See: Fortinbras in Two Film Productions of Hamlet
    10. Hamlet and Macbeth: A Comparison
    11. The Theme of Pretense in Shakespeare's Hamlet
    12. Analysis of Act Five of Shakespeare's Hamlet
    13. Character Analysis of Horatio
    14. Comment on Hamlet's "To Be or Not to Be" Soliloquy
    15. Staging for Shakespeare's Hamlet: Act II, Scene ii, Lines 85-221
    16. The Nature of Hamlet's Character
    17. Hamlet's Delay: An Objective and Subjective Analysis Compared
    18. Analysis of Three Critical Works on Hamlet
    19. Hamlet: History, Religion, and Myth
14. Selected Quotes
15. Criticism
    1. An Approach to Hamlet
    2. Hamlet and Revenge
    3. Overviews of Hamlet
    4. Delay in Hamlet
    5. Revenge in Hamlet
    6. Melancholy and Grief in Hamlet
    7. Imagery in Hamlet
    8. Hamlet
    9. The Ghost
    10. Claudius
    11. Gertrude
    12. Ophelia
16. Suggested Essay Topics
17. Sample Essay Outlines
18. Modern Connections
19. Pictures
    1. Marcellus, Horatio, Hamlet, and the Ghost by Henry Fuseli
    2. Hamlet and Ophelia in New Theatre production (1934)
    3. The Ghost, Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus
    4. Hamlet and Claudius in New Theatre production (1934)
    5. Horatio, Hamlet, and the Gravedigger in film adaptation (1948)
    6. Hamlet and Laertes in New Theatre production (1951)
    7. Illustration: Ghost of Hamlet's Father
    8. Illustration: Polonius
    9. Illustration: Ophelia in Act III, Scene i
    10. Illustration: Ophelia
    11. Illustration: Hamlet instructs the Players before the performance
    12. Illustration: Claudius kneels in prayer
    13. Illustration: Hamlet thrusts his sword through the curtain
    14. Illustration: The Ghost
    15. Illustration: Gertrude and Hamlet
    16. Illustration: Laertes
    17. Illustration: Ophelia goes mad
    18. Illustration: Hamlet's letter to Horatio
    19. Illustration: Ophelia's flower garlands
    20. Illustration: The Clown throws skulls out of the grave
    21. Illustration: Hamlet holding Yorick's skull
    22. Illustration: Laertes leaps into the grave
    23. Illustration: Hamlet strikes Laertes in the fencing match
    24. Illustration: Claudius in the final scene
20. FAQs
    1. Why does Shakespeare choose Denmark as the setting for Hamlet?
    2. What is the mood at the opening of Hamlet?
    3. Does Hamlet really hate his mother?
    4. Who is Yorick?
    5. What is Osric's function?
    6. Why is Hamlet given a military funeral?
21. Bibliography and Further Reading
22. Copyright

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