Criticism of Hamlet

Hamlet is certainly known as one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays. With this praise also comes a lot of criticism throughout the years. During the Renaissance, there was a lot of disapproval revolving around the play's representation of madness and insanity which resulted in censorship. Later, during the restoration of the English monarchy, critics were not fond of Shakespeare's language, specifically denouncing his usage of puns and connotations associating certain phrases. In the 18th century, critics began to notice inconsistencies in the plot of the play, which were further discussed during the Romantic era.

More specifically, critics have commented on the play's dramatic structure and language. According to Aristotle's Poetics, a drama should not focus on a character as much as it should the action itself. However, Hamlet is more driven by soliloquies that reveal motive and plans rather than plot. Furthermore, the play is very focused on Hamlet as a person and his emotions and intentions. Language plays a huge role in the drama as well. Horatio and the other guards speak a much simpler language than Hamlet or Claudius, who use complex rhetoric and literary devices. Moreover, like I said earlier, soliloquies are important in creating the plot in the novel; thus, the language used to express emotion in these soliloquies is essential for the drama.