Hamlet

Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been recognised for 400 years and is a text that will continue to be recognized for many years to come. ‘Hamlet’ the play drew the attention of the old and young to its universal themes and its story of the downfall of a tragic hero.   The factor that deviated Hamlet from other texts and allowed for its strong stance is that it remained opened for a range of interpretations. It allowed responders to each implement their personal contexts and values to provide a different, valid perspective on the text. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a play which applies all the conventions of revenge tragedy along with vivid figurative language to convey a much deeper understanding of humanity. All the action in the play revolves around a central theme which, I believe, is the corruption of individuals caused by their isolation from themselves, from others and their surrounding world. In his stage production and through the use of stage craft, James Lugton, represents a varying interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. His interpretation revolves around the theme of ‘thought prevents action’.

The isolation of individuals from their true self prevents them from exploring their frail inner selves and from coming into terms with their worthlessness. All humans are disguised under pretence masks they constantly wear to conceal their inner weaknesses and corruption from others. As a result this leads to the corruption of the human spirit and the moral downfall of every individual.
No individual in Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’ is strong enough to explore their ‘blackened furnished room’ and expose their internal corruption to transcend their weaknesses and develop. Instead whenever an individual attempts to explore their true conscience they are appalled with their weakness and corruption and hence become occupied by a hesitation which prevents them from taking any action. This is seen in the nature of Hamlet. The second soliloquy in the play ‘Hamlet’ reflects...