Hamlet Closely Observed

by Dodsworth, Martin

• ISBN13: 9781472507730
• ISBN10: 1472507738
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2014-05-08
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

A major interpretative account of Shakespeare's play, this is a close scrutiny which will engage readers directly with the text and perfomance of the work. The Renaissance code of honor is seen to be of central importance to the character of the hero, his actions, and to the play as a whole; and, viewed in this light, there is fresh revelation of the character of Hamlet himslef and of the dramatic world of which he is a part. Mr. Dodsworth challenges the conventional and traditional reading of Hamlet at many points. But he enforces no single overall meaning and readers are encouraged to remain sensiive to their own individual understanding and response.

Author Biography

Martin Dodsworth is senior lecturer in the Dept. of English, Royal Holloway College, University of London.

Table of Contents

Preface, Professor L. C. Knights (Cambridge University, UK)
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Honour and the Polonius household
2 Hamlet, body and soul
3 Hamlet and the Ghost
4 Hamlet’s weakness
5 Hamlet and his inferiors
6 Hamlet’s being
7 Hamlet and Ophelia
8 Hamlet’s theatre
9 Claudius and Gertrude
10 Burlesque, parody and fugue
11 Graveyard thoughts
12 Heaven ordinant
13 Hamlet’s end
Conclusion
Notes
Index