Portrayals of Hamlet
Plays and characters are always open to personal interpretation. Different directors and actors have created many different portrayals of the same character and the same story. Looking at these differences can provide valuable insight into the character of Hamlet.
A Thinker
Hamlet can be defined by his intelligence and philosophical nature. He may be portrayed as melancholy and meditative, battling his emotions internally and considering every angle of every situation. For example critics said that Stephen Dillane's Hamlet thrives on thinking and private feeling, and it is the disruption of this that leads to his undoing.
Hamlet can be defined by his intelligence and philosophical nature. He may be portrayed as melancholy and meditative, battling his emotions internally and considering every angle of every situation. For example critics said that Stephen Dillane's Hamlet thrives on thinking and private feeling, and it is the disruption of this that leads to his undoing.
Indecisive
Similar to being portrayed as a thinker, but slightly different. The emphasis in this case is on hesitation and indecision. Hamlet can never quite figure things out, come to any real conclusions, or get his act together.
Similar to being portrayed as a thinker, but slightly different. The emphasis in this case is on hesitation and indecision. Hamlet can never quite figure things out, come to any real conclusions, or get his act together.
A Madman
Hamlet may be interpreted as verging on mentally insane, even having suffered a mental breakdown, and certainly unstable. He may be reckless and violent with no real logic or reason behind his words and actions. His mood may change abruptly and carry the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Hamlet may be interpreted as verging on mentally insane, even having suffered a mental breakdown, and certainly unstable. He may be reckless and violent with no real logic or reason behind his words and actions. His mood may change abruptly and carry the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Youthful
Hamlet is interpreted by some as a child-like and even sweet at times. A young man trapped by his elders. A classic rebellious, teenager full of angst and inner turmoil, yet with a strong sense of innocence.
Hamlet is interpreted by some as a child-like and even sweet at times. A young man trapped by his elders. A classic rebellious, teenager full of angst and inner turmoil, yet with a strong sense of innocence.
Self-loathing
Hamlet is sometimes shown to truly detest himself. He may be extremely passive aggressive, ironic, and harshly criticising of himself. He may connect to the audience through this, because so many of us know the struggles of self-image and self-criticism.
Hamlet is sometimes shown to truly detest himself. He may be extremely passive aggressive, ironic, and harshly criticising of himself. He may connect to the audience through this, because so many of us know the struggles of self-image and self-criticism.