Hamlet Critical Quotes Flashcards
What did James Hansford say in 2000 about the theme of truth vs deception?
“The play abounds in doubles, copies, portraits, simulations, parallels, and contrasts- all of which throw into question what is real, truthful, and trustworth”
What did G.H. Lewis say in 1855 about Ophelia?
“The poor Ophelia, broken hearted, and dying in madness”
What did Elaine Showalter say in 1985 about gender in literature?
“The impossibility of representing femininity in patriarchal discourse as anything other than madness, incoherence, fluidity, and silence”
What did Emma Smith say in 2016 about the theme of action vs inaction?
“By the end of the 19th century, Hamlet’s introspection was coming to be seen as a tainted, unmasculine passivity.”
What did Terry Eagleton say in 1986 about Hamlet as a person?
“Hamlet riddles and bamboozles himself out of being definitively known.”
What did William Hazlitt say in 1817 about Hamlet?
“It is we who are Hamlet”
What did George Stevens say in 1778 about Hamlet’s character?
He has “immoral tendency”
What did Nietzsche say in 1872 on Hamlet?
Hamlet as a “Dionysian man who has pierced through the illusions by which we live.”
What did George Bernard Shaw say in 1921 about Hamlet’s character?
“He is not philosopher enough to comprehend this as well as apprehend.”
What did Jan Kott say in 1964 about the purpose of the play?
“The genius of Hamlet consists perhaps in the fact that the play can serve as a mirror.”
What did Jonathon Bate say in 2007 relating to the theme of meta theatre, in relation to Claudius?
“In this he can only be regarded as an apologist for the art of his creator.”
How did G. Wilson Knight describe Claudius in 1930?
As a “good and gentle king.”
What did Richard Altick say in 1954 on Claudius’ character?
“The cunning lecherousness of Claudius’ evil has corrupted the whole kingdom of Denmark”
What did Amanda Mabillard say in 2008 about Claudius?
“He is not a monster, he is morally weak.”
What did Avi Ehrlich say in 1977 about the women of the play and the effect they had?
“Hamlet is a play about a father and a son who were weak because they were undone… by sexually treacherous women.”
