bentan nethanial kenyon
Xena Donovan
Hamlet is one of the most famous and influential plays by William Shakespeare, written between 1599 and 1602. The tragedy tells the story of Prince Hamlet, who seeks to avenge his father's murder by his uncle Claudius, the new king of Denmark. Hamlet is a complex and multifaceted character, who struggles with his own doubts, fears, and moral dilemmas.
One way to approach Hamlet is through the lens of New Historicism, a literary theory that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. New Historicism views literature as a product of its historical and cultural context, rather than as an isolated work of art. New Historicists examine how a text reflects and responds to the social, political, and ideological forces of its time, as well as how it influences and shapes those forces.
In this article, we will explore some of the aspects of New Historicism in Hamlet, such as the role of monarchy, the influence of religion, the representation of gender, and the use of madness. We will also refer to some of the sources that Shakespeare may have used or been inspired by when writing his play.
The Role of Monarchy
One of the central themes of Hamlet is the question of legitimacy and succession in the Danish monarchy. The play begins with the ghost of King Hamlet appearing to his son and revealing that he was murdered by Claudius, who then usurped his throne and married his widow Gertrude. This sets off a chain of events that leads to the downfall of the royal family and the invasion of Norway.
New Historicists may argue that Shakespeare was reflecting on the political situation of his own time, when England was ruled by Queen Elizabeth I, who had no children and refused to name an heir. This created a lot of uncertainty and anxiety among her subjects, who feared civil war or foreign invasion after her death. Shakespeare may have also been influenced by the history of Denmark, which had experienced several dynastic conflicts and changes in the past centuries.
Moreover, New Historicists may point out that Shakespeare was writing for an audience that was familiar with the concept of divine right of kings, which held that monarchs were appointed by God and had absolute authority over their subjects. This idea was challenged by some political thinkers and religious reformers in the 16th and 17th centuries, who advocated for more democratic and constitutional forms of government. Hamlet may be seen as a critique of the corruption and tyranny of Claudius, who violates the natural order and moral law by killing his brother and marrying his sister-in-law.
The Influence of Religion
Another important aspect of New Historicism in Hamlet is the role of religion in shaping the characters' beliefs, values, and actions. The play reflects the religious turmoil and diversity of Shakespeare's era, when England was undergoing a series of religious changes and conflicts between Catholicism and Protestantism.
Hamlet himself seems to be torn between different religious views. On one hand, he follows the ghost's command to avenge his father's murder, which implies a belief in purgatory, a Catholic doctrine that was rejected by Protestants. On the other hand, he hesitates to kill Claudius when he sees him praying, which suggests a respect for divine providence and human free will, which were emphasized by Protestants. Hamlet also expresses doubts about the existence and nature of God, as well as his own fate after death.
New Historicists may also note that Shakespeare may have drawn on some religious sources when writing Hamlet. For instance, some scholars have suggested that he was influenced by Martin Luther's commentary on Romans 7:15-25, which deals with the conflict between sin and grace in human nature. Luther writes: "I do not understand what I do; for I do not do what I want to do; but what I hate I do." This echoes Hamlet's famous soliloquy: "To be or not to be; that is the question."
The Representation of Gender
A third aspect of New Historicism in Hamlet is the representation of gender roles and relations in the play. The play features
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