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Latin Literatures of Medieval and Early Modern Times in Europe and Beyond: A millennium heritage
Edited by Francesco Stella
[Comparative History of Literatures in European Languages XXXIV] 2024
► pp. 794–810

Chapter 39
Hamlet

From Saxo Grammaticus to Shakespeare

| Magnus Academy, Newark, United Kingdom

This chapter focuses on Hamlet. The starting point is the Latin account of Saxo Grammaticus, dated to the thirteen century, and the endpoint is Shakespeare’s play. It investigates the relation between the two in terms of similarities and differences regarding the plot and the main characters. The chapter reserves special attention to the theme of pretended madness. Moreover, in comparing the two versions, it aims to track Hamlet’s origins in the Nordic and Roman tradition and the mutations which occurred from Saxo to Shakespeare. It also attempts to explain the reasons for Hamlet’s fortune in Medieval and Modern literature.

Keywords: Hamlet, Saxo Grammaticus, Shakespeare, fool, eloquence, source, hero, Danish, myth, revenge
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • From Saxo Grammaticus to Shakespeare
  • The plot
  • The characters
  • Notes
  • References
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
References
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