Historical Context (Hamlet)

This section explains the historical context of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Hamlet was written by William Shakespeare around 1600, is heavily influenced by the social, political, and cultural contexts of the Elizabethan and early Jacobean periods. Understanding these contexts helps us to better appreciate the play’s themes, characters, and its overall exploration of power, revenge, and human nature.

Elizabethan England and the Monarchy

Queen Elizabeth I: When Shakespeare wrote Hamlet, Queen Elizabeth I was nearing the end of her reign (1558–1603). Elizabeth was an ageing monarch without a direct heir, which created anxiety around the issue of succession. In Hamlet, the uncertain political situation in Denmark, following the death of King Hamlet and Claudius’s hasty ascension to the throne, mirrors the uncertainties in Elizabethan England about who would inherit the crown.

Illegitimate Rule: Claudius’s rise to power through fratricide raises questions about the legitimacy of ruler-ship. Elizabethan audiences, who were highly aware of the importance of rightful succession, would have seen Claudius as a dangerous figure, reflecting fears of disorder when a monarch’s claim to the throne is unclear.

The Renaissance and Humanism

Renaissance Ideas: Hamlet was written during the Renaissance, a period of intellectual and cultural revival across Europe. Renaissance humanism placed a strong emphasis on the potential of human reason, individual agency, and the exploration of complex emotions, which is evident in the character of Hamlet himself.

Hamlet’s Intellectual Nature: Hamlet is a deeply reflective and philosophical character, whose internal debates reflect the Renaissance focus on self-awareness and the questioning of traditional values. His famous soliloquy, “To be, or not to be” (Act 3, Scene 1), captures this introspective and humanist attitude, as he grapples with existential questions about life, death, and moral choice.

Scepticism: Renaissance humanism encouraged scepticism and the questioning of accepted truths, which is mirrored in Hamlet’s sceptical view of appearances versus reality. He constantly questions the motives of others, the nature of the ghost, and the truth of his own emotions.

The Reformation and Religious Conflict

Protestantism and Catholicism: England during Shakespeare’s time was deeply influenced by the Protestant Reformation, which had altered the religious landscape of Europe. England had broken from the Catholic Church under Henry VIII, and tensions between Protestantism and Catholicism continued to influence politics and society throughout Elizabeth I’s reign.

Purgatory and the Ghost: One of the play’s central mysteries is the ghost of Hamlet’s father, who claims to be suffering in purgatory until his murder is avenged. This reference to purgatory aligns with Catholic doctrine, which would have resonated with audiences familiar with the religious debates of the time.

In Protestant England, the existence of purgatory was denied, adding ambiguity to the ghost’s nature. Is the ghost truly a supernatural figure from the afterlife, or is it a manifestation of Hamlet’s psychological turmoil? This ambiguity may reflect the religious uncertainty of the period.

Revenge and Sin: The religious context also influences the moral questions surrounding revenge in the play. Hamlet struggles with the religious implications of avenging his father’s murder. According to Christian doctrine, revenge is sinful, yet Hamlet feels obligated to follow the ghost’s command. This internal conflict between duty to his father and fear of damnation reveals the tension between the old, honour-based values of revenge and the new Christian ethics that condemn it.

Political Context

The Threat of Political Instability: Elizabethan England, like Denmark in Hamlet, was vulnerable to political instability. Foreign powers, such as Spain, posed threats to English security, and there were fears of internal rebellion. In the play, Denmark is on the verge of war with Norway, and Fortinbras’s eventual takeover of the Danish throne reflects the potential for external forces to exploit a nation’s internal weaknesses.

Machiavellian Politics: Claudius’s manipulation and deceitful rise to power echoes Machiavellian political strategies. The Discourses on Livy and The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli, popular texts at the time, argued that rulers must be willing to use cunning, manipulation, and even immoral actions to maintain control. Claudius’s political manoeuvring represents this ruthless approach to power.

Revenge Tragedy Tradition

Senecan Influence: Hamlet is part of the revenge tragedy genre, which was highly popular during the Elizabethan era. This genre was heavily influenced by the works of the Roman playwright Seneca, whose plays often involved ghosts, bloody revenge, and moral conflict.

Delays and Soliloquies: One key difference in Hamlet is the hero’s hesitation and introspection. In traditional revenge tragedies, the protagonist is typically single-minded in their pursuit of vengeance. However, Hamlet’s delays, his deep philosophical reflections, and his internal conflict about revenge set him apart from the more straightforward avengers of earlier plays. This psychological complexity reflects the Renaissance interest in human thought and emotions.

Violence and Catharsis: Like other revenge tragedies, Hamlet involves a high level of violence, particularly in the final act, where nearly all the key characters die. This excessive violence serves as a form of catharsis for the audience, providing a resolution to the tragic events. However, Hamlet’s intellectual and moral struggle with the idea of revenge complicates the typical revenge tragedy structure.

Social Hierarchies and Gender Roles

Patriarchy: The world of Hamlet is a strongly patriarchal one, where power is held almost exclusively by men, and women are expected to be obedient and passive. Both Gertrude and Ophelia are subject to the control of the men around them, and their fates reflect the limited roles women could play in society.

Gertrude: Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, is often criticised for her hasty marriage to Claudius, which Hamlet views as a betrayal. Her character reflects contemporary anxieties about women’s sexuality and the importance of maintaining the honour of the family. Some critics argue that Gertrude is more complex, suggesting that she is politically savvy in securing her own position after King Hamlet’s death.

Ophelia: Ophelia’s descent into madness and eventual death can be seen as a result of the patriarchal pressures placed on her by her father Polonius, her brother Laertes, and Hamlet himself. She is used as a pawn in the schemes of the men around her, and her tragic end reflects the limited agency women had in Elizabethan society.

The Great Chain of Being

The Great Chain of Being: This was a widely accepted belief in Shakespeare’s time, which held that everything in the universe had its place in a divinely ordained hierarchy. Kings were believed to be at the top of the human social order, appointed by God, with any disruption to this hierarchy leading to chaos.

Disorder and Restoration: In Hamlet, the murder of King Hamlet by Claudius creates political and moral disorder in Denmark. The nation is described as “rotting,” and Hamlet himself speaks of “time... out of joint.” This disruption of the natural order can only be restored through the death of Claudius and Hamlet, reflecting the Elizabethan belief that stability could only be regained once the rightful order was re-established.

Psychological and Philosophical Influences

Psychoanalytic Interpretations: Later historical developments, especially in psychology, have influenced modern readings of Hamlet. Sigmund Freud’s theory of the Oedipus complex has been applied to Hamlet’s intense feelings of hostility towards Claudius and his disturbed relationship with his mother, Gertrude. According to this theory, Hamlet’s hesitation in killing Claudius may stem from an unconscious identification with him, as Claudius has done what Hamlet unconsciously desires—killed his father and married his mother.

Though Freud’s ideas emerged centuries after the play was written, they offer a lens through which modern audiences can explore Hamlet’s complex psychology.

Understanding the historical context of Hamlet deepens our comprehension of the play’s themes and its commentary on the social, political, and religious concerns of the time.