Hamlet » International Youth Theater Network

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Monday, February 18th, 2008

Among the best-known plays written by William Shakespeare, “Hamlet” is considered by many critics as his greatest play. It is also one of the most-performed plays in the list of Royal Shakespeare Company since 1879. Even during the Shakespeare’s most productive years in theater, “Hamlet” was among his popular plays. According to critics, Shakespeare created the role of Prince Hamlet, the lead protagonist of the story, especially for his friend and colleague in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, Richard Burbage. Burbage was also the leading tragedy actor during their time. The play centers on the how Prince Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, took revenge on his uncle for killing his father. His father was the former king and upon his death, the throne went to his uncle.

This tragedy by William Shakespeare features a play within the play. In the story, Prince Hamlet wanted to prove that his uncle had a hand in his father’s death. He intended to do this by watching his uncle’s reaction as he watches the play, “The Murder of Gonzago”, which Prince Hamlet will stage with the help of a troupe of actors. The play is actually a reenactment of how the former king was killed.

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