Was Hamlet Influenced by Real People or Created Entirely by Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare's Hamlet has captivated audiences for centuries, but where did the story and its characters originate? Some speculate that the characters in Hamlet are based on real people from King Hamlet's time, while others argue that Shakespeare created them for the play. This article delves into the historical and literary influences behind Hamlet, exploring the intricate relationship between reality and fiction.

The Connection Between Shakespeare and Hamlet

Explicit links between Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, and Shakespeare's reality can be found in the names. For instance, the name Hamlet is an anagram of the name of Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, who tragically died at the age of eleven. This loss may have deeply influenced the character's feelings of grief and misfortune in the play.

'Horatio says after Hamlet is dead, "Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince / And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."'

Origins of the Hamlet Story

The story of the Danish prince has a rich history before Shakespeare's adaptation. According to scholars, the original tellings did not feature the name Hamlet. Instead, the prince was known as Amleth in Norse tales. This suggests that Shakespeare adapted the tale to fit his characters and plot, making it more relatable and emotionally engaging for the audience of his time.

Shakespeare’s Literary Sources

Shakespeare was known for drawing from a wide array of sources, both literary and scholarly, to create his masterpieces. Some of the key sources for Hamlet include:

Biblical Influences

Several translations of the Bible served as sources for Hamlet. The Geneva Bible and the Bishops Bible, as well as the Book of Common Prayer, contributed to the play's themes and structure. Shakespeare's early works were particularly influenced by the Bishops Bible, while his later works drew closer to the Geneva Bible.

Italian Influences

Shakespeare's knowledge of Italian literature played a significant role in the creation of Hamlet. For instance, his adaptation of the plays All's Well That Ends Well, Cymbeline, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona drew heavily from Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron. This example underscores his ability to integrate foreign literary traditions into his own works.

English Historical Influences

Shakespeare's primary source for historical plays, including Hamlet, was Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles. This record of the history of England, Scotland, and Ireland provided Shakespeare with a wealth of material to weave into his plays, making them both historical and poetic. Holinshed's works were crucial in shaping the narrative and character developments in Hamlet.

Geographic and Cultural Influences

Because the story of Hamlet is set in ancient Denmark, Shakespeare also drew from the Latin text of Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus. Grammaticus's work, written around 1200 AD, recorded the deeds of Denmark's kings, including the story of Amleth, which is an anagram of Hamlet. Shakespeare transformed this historical source into a fantastical character, infusing the play with a richer tapestry of cultural influences.

Roman Influences

Finally, Shakespeare mined the Parallel Lives by Plutarch for his Roman plays, including Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, and Timon of Athens. Plutarch's biographies provided Shakespeare with the backbone for these plays, allowing him to create complex and dynamic characters that resonated with his audience.

In conclusion, while the characters in Hamlet are undoubtedly products of Shakespeare's imagination, they are also deeply rooted in a variety of historical and literary sources. By drawing from these diverse influences, Shakespeare was able to create a timeless and enduring work of art that continues to captivate audiences to this day. Whether based on real people or entirely fictional, the characters in Hamlet serve as a testament to Shakespeare's genius and the enduring power of his storytelling.