HAMLET In Defense of the Faith - Paperback

by Patricia Geaney Kerrigan (Author)

Something about Hamlet remains elusive. Interpretations abound. The question remains: what is Hamlet really about? And yet, the key to the play's meaning lies close at hand in one line, a reference most often misunderstood, in Act 1.

Addressing those elements of the play that seem never quite fully or satisfactorily explained, HAMLET In Defense of the Faith demonstrates that the play is an allegory, and that it does, in fact, have one clear and discernible message. The message, hinted at enough to be conceivable, is veiled enough to have prevented a charge of treason against Shakespeare when the play was produced on the London stage.

Authentication of the playwright's meaning rests on familiarity with two ancient texts: fifth century works by a well-known figure, to whom the playwright purposefully directs one's attention after Hamlet's meeting with the Ghost in Act 1. The parallels between Hamlet and these ancient works are convincing enough that one must suppose they are in the play by design.

This unembellished and straightforward analysis of Hamlet demonstrates the abundant textual evidence from both the play and the ancient texts that ensured the world could know unambiguously what message the playwright intended.