Lecture Notes on Shakespeare's Hamlet (Folger Digital Texts Edition)

Introduction

• Shakespeare's Global Influence: His works have reached global audiences, allowing readers and viewers to interpret them in personal ways.
• Folger Digital Texts: These editions offer expertly edited texts, serving as resources for study, adaptation, and enjoyment.
• Folger Shakespeare Library: An unparalleled source of Shakespeare's works, contributing to this edition.
• Editors: Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine created these indispensable editions.
• Textual Integrity: Transparency in editorial decisions, with alterations signaled in the text.

Synopsis of Hamlet

• Plot Overview:
  • King Hamlet of Denmark dies, and his brother Claudius marries the widowed Queen Gertrude.
  • Hamlet, the prince, is visited by his father's ghost, who reveals his murder by Claudius.
  • Hamlet seeks to confirm Claudius's guilt, leading to a series of tragic events.
  • Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, leading to further tragedy including Ophelia's madness and death.
  • The play culminates in a fencing match resulting in the deaths of Gertrude, Claudius, Laertes, and Hamlet.

Characters

• Main Characters:
  • Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, protagonist
  • Claudius: King of Denmark, antagonist
  • Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother
  • Polonius: The king's counselor
  • Ophelia: Polonius's daughter, Hamlet's love interest
  • Laertes: Polonius's son
  • Ghost: Apparition of King Hamlet
  • Horatio: Hamlet's loyal friend

Key Scenes and Themes

• Ghost's Revelation: Sets the revenge plot in motion.
• Play within a Play: Hamlet uses The Murder of Gonzago to gauge Claudius's guilt.
• Madness: Explored through Hamlet's feigned insanity and Ophelia's real descent into madness.
• Revenge and Justice: Central themes, questioning morality and justice in revenge.
• Existential Themes: Hamlet's soliloquies, especially "To be, or not to be," reflect on life, death, and purpose.
• Political Intrigue: Fortinbras's subplot reflects on political power and legitimacy.
• Death and Mortality: Explored extensively through the graveyard scene and Hamlet's reflections on Yorick's skull.

Notable Quotes

• "To be, or not to be: that is the question..."
• "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
• "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
• "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio."

Conclusion

• End of Play: Fortinbras takes control, restoring order.
• Legacy: Hamlet is given a soldier's funeral, reflecting on what might have been.

These notes highlight the main elements and themes of Hamlet as presented in the Folger Digital Texts edition, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview for study and analysis.