Hamlet: use of performance space

Understanding Performance Space in Hamlet

Performance space refers to the physical area where a play is performed, which can include the stage, audience, set, props, and other physical aspects of a theatre.
In Hamlet, the use of performance space is pivotal to communicate themes, moods, and relationships between characters.

Hamlet was originally performed at the Globe Theatre, a thrust stage with the audience on three sides, inviting intimacy between audience and performer. Awareness of this can guide interpretations of key scenes.
Separation of upper and lower stage areas is seen often in the play- Polonius spies on Hamlet from behind a curtain while Ophelia lies in her watery grave, suggesting hierarchical societies and separation of classes.

The ghost scene on the battlements of Elsinore uses space to create an eerie, supernatural atmosphere as well as indicating the play’s core themes of corruption, surveillance and power.
The ‘closet scene’ where Hamlet speaks to Gertrude privately is essentially a one-room set, highlighting the tension and intimacy of the mother-son interaction.
The play within a play uses performance space to reflect upon the whole notion of theatre. It also acts as a mirror to Claudius’s guilt, using the stage to reveal truth.

The puppet show during the play within a play serves as a metaphor for the manipulation, control and deceit present in the play.
Yorick’s skull creates a concrete connection to death and mortality, reinforcing Hamlet’s existential concerns.
The poisoned sword and wine goblet in the final scene become pivotal props symbolising the toxic court and the tragic, destructive outcome of revenge.

The use of performance space increases the play’s dramatic impact, addressing its many themes and adding depth to the narrative.
By exploring the performance space, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the play may have affected its original audience and why it continues to resonate with audiences today.
The uses of unique staging aspects like the thrust stage and upper and lower areas add a further dimension to the performance, reflecting themes of hierarchy and status within the play.