Hamlet: genre

Genre Overview

Hamlet is primarily categorised as a tragedy, a genre that dramatises the downfall of a heroic or noble character.
Typically, tragedies involve a protagonist’s struggle against overwhelming odds that end in an inevitable disaster.
Shakespearean tragedies often portray the protagonist’s fall from grace due to some fatal flaw or error in judgment.

Hamlet’s tragic flaw is often considered to be his indecision and procrastination, highlighted starkly in the famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy.
Other tragic elements include deception, murder, and political intrigue, all of which contribute to the tragic conclusion.

Though primarily a tragedy, Hamlet also incorporates elements of other genres:
Revenge tragedy: The plot is driven largely by Hamlet’s quest for revenge against his uncle Claudius, who murdered his brother to seize the throne.
Philosophical drama: Hamlet frequently contemplates life, death, morality, and the futility of existence, adding a deep philosophical dimension to the play.

Compared to other Shakespearean tragedies like Macbeth and Othello, Hamlet is unique in the complexity of its protagonist and philosophical depth.
Unlike the more action-based tragedies, Hamlet is more introspective and psychological, focusing more on Hamlet’s mental anguish than physical events.
However, it shares key elements typical to Shakespearean tragedy, such as a flawed protagonist, a struggle against fate, and a tragic resolution.

The tragic elements and themes in Hamlet have influenced countless later works in literature, film, and theatre.
Concepts like moral ambiguity, revenge, and grappling with existential questions have become standard elements in modern dramatic narratives.