While William Shakespeare was creating the plays that would influence literature until today, Queen Elizabeth I ruled the throne. She was very popular among the English nation because England’s wealth and economy flourished during her reign. Queen Elizabeth established the Protestant Church of England, with her at the head. She believed in religious toleration. However, as the queen grew older, many people speculated on the uncertainty of the future since she never married. Eventually, the knowledge of the insecure state of England spread, and it was rumored that others would take advantage of the country in this weakened state. England was at war with Irish settlers as well as Spain, which would only contribute more stress to the Queen in addition to the already unsettling rumors traveling throughout Europe. As time went by, and threats became more prominent, the Queen also grew more paranoid. With the help of spies all over Europe, anyone who was suspected of plotting against her was put to death even her own sister Mary.
William Shakespeare, publicly believed to be born on or near April 23, 1564, was an English dramatist and poet, universally recognized as one of the most celebrated and influential writers in English Literature. Shakespeare was favored among the English people and the Queen because he carefully chose his subject matters so that he would not be a threat to the state of England or the Queen. He wrote in such a way that avoided controversy, while also providing insight into human nature and
Shakespeare participated in the theater industry since his early twenties through acting and playwriting. Later, he became a managing partner of the “Lord Chamberlain’s Men,” an acting company in London. His early works were primarily histories and comedies. In the late 1590s, however, he began writing tragedies and tragicomedies. He then also produced some of the most renowned pieces, including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. His works captures and explores innate human emotions, expressions, conflicts, and interactions. His productions became an important part of popular culture and attracted the public and people of high rank. By 1616, forty-five editions of Shakespeare’s plays had been published, and the popularity of his works is still growing today. Four hundred years after his death, his works are still being constantly studied and rediscovered. The influence of his work can be seen across all kind of performing art forms. The inherent adaptability of his plays, the elaborated metaphors and the use of poetic forms all makes his play versatile to be transformed and performed, regardless of time and space.
One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, Hamlet, was written as a new century was just about to commence. Therefore, it came to represent the transition from the Renaissance to what’s known as the ‘early modern’ period. From a religious perspective, this era was also defined by the growing popularity from Catholicism to Protestantism, which led to a greater importance and value of free will. Some argue that Hamlet’s character embodies the transition from the Renaissance, as his character consistently expressed himself freely and with much thought and development.
One of the most controversial parts in the play of Hamlet, occurs in Act III, Scene II, as this is when Hamlet decides to use a play to discover whether or not his uncle, Claudius, did, in fact, kill his father, the King. This act is arguably one of the most significant parts of the play because it gives insight into the importance of the arts during this time in England. Shakespeare uses his own play to expose that the varying, and unique purposes of a play, were not only to provide entertainment, but to provide answers to life’s questions, and expose sides of the human heart in the actors, and in the audience. Regarding the context of the play, however, this scene represents the turning point of Hamlet’s character. There is much to be analyzed from this scene–it is from this scene that readers begin to question his mental state, love for Ophelia, consciousness, and conflicting actions. From this scene, we hope to provide insight into the character of Hamlet, the mind of Shakespeare, but most significantly, the state of humanity.
Sources:
- “Shakespeare’s Globe.” Shakespeare’s Globe. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2017.
- Hamlet: Shakespeare Appreciated (Unabridged, Dramatized, Commentary Options) By Phil Viner, William Shakespeare, Simon Potter, Jools Viner Narrated by Joan Walker, Stephen Elder, Paul Clayton
- https://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/queen-elizabeth-i/
- http://www.elizabethi.org/contents/elizabethanchurch/queenandchurch.html
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