18th Century Responses to Hamlet

Question 1

Thomas Hammer on Hamlet’s Character

Answer 1

• Complained about certain aspects of Hamlets behaviour in the play, such as not killing Claudius when praying due to wanting to send him to hell
• For Hammer, this attitude was un-christian and unworthy of a hero

Question 2

Thomas Hammer on Hamlet’s delay

Answer 2

• Had Hamlet killed Claudius sooner, ‘there would have been and End of our Play’
• Hamlet’s delay was a necessary plot device rather than a problem

Question 3

Samuel Johnson on Hamlet’s behaviour

Answer 3

• Complains that Hamlet ‘treats Ophelia with so much rudeness… useless and wanton cruelty’
• Hamlet’s stature as a tragic hero is diminished

Question 4

Samuel Johnson on Hamlet’s delay

Answer 4

• Hamlet is ‘an instrument’ rather than ‘an agent’
• Rather than actively pursuing revenge, he allows himself to be swayed by circumstance’
• Hamlet ‘makes no attempt to punish’ Claudius and ultimately ‘has no part’ in planning the fencing match that leads to Claudius’ death

Question 5

Samuel Johnson on Shakespeare’s plot

Answer 5

• He could find ‘no adequate cause’ for Hamlet’s pretend madness ‘for he does nothing which he might not have done with the reputation of sanity’