Hamlet Context and Criticism

Designed for A Level English Literature teaching, this key context and criticism resource enables students to excel in their analysis of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

This 34 slide ppt examines the tropes of Aristotelian tragedy, as well as Senecan revenge tragedies, the Elizabethan notion of the chain of being, issues surrounding Elizabeth’s uncertain position as a female monarch, espionage in the Elizabethan era, factionalism, Machiavellian behaviour, blood feuds and humanism. Over 30 critics are cited in total, ranging from 17th century critics to 21st century responses. These responses are compiled and ordered in terms of themes: criticisms of the tragic elements of the play, psychoanalytic responses and feminist responses.