These 2 documents include a 5 page-long summary of the entirety of the Hamlet play. The second document includes the summary + quotes of the AO5 critical interpretations.
John Dover Wilson:
John Dover Wilson argues that Hamlet overheard Polonius and Claudius plotting the
meeting with Ophelia before his entrance in Act 2, Scene 2.
Wilson interprets Hamlet’s harsh words towards Ophelia in this scene as “intended
for the ears of Claudius and Polonius, whom he knows to be behind the arras”.
Wilson thinks that the questioning of Ophelia’s honesty could have an additional
meaning, with Hamlet alluding to her allowing herself to be "used as a bait”.
Hamlet also questions Ophelia “Where’s your father?”, possibly being ironic as he
knows the king and her father are spying on them.
Wilson also argues that in Act 3 Scene 2, Claudius does not end the play because he
feels guilty but because he is disturbed by Hamlet’s behaviour and comments-
Hamlet points out to Claudius that the stage murderer is the “nephew to the king” so
this could be seen as a threat towards the King’s life.
Manfred Draudt:
Draudt described Hamlet as behaving like a “bitter court jester” as he makes jokes at
Claudius’ expense and this establishes a comic relationship with the audience.
Humour is also seen after Polonius’ death when the king and Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern are searching for his body, his description of Claudius in A1S2 as “A
little more than kin, and less than kind”, the general mocking of Polonius, the entire
character of Osric and also the graveyard scene of A5S1.
John Kerrigan- Memory and Remembrance:
“We can show that remembrance haunts him, even to point of madness.” This brings
up the goodness of the late king and opens up the possibility that King Hamlet was a
possibly evil king, especially since he resides in purgatory.
“we know that Hamlet… is trying to shake off at least part of the burden of his
father’s memory” Hamlet does have a lot to live up to because of the good
reputation of his father however us as the readers barely know anything about King
Hamlet or his personality, so his character is extremely open to interpretation.
“that woman’s love is brief and unworthy… [Ophelia] in this she is no better than
Gertrude” referring to Ophelia’s actions towards Hamlet and their rather unknown
and secret relationship since its possible the two have had a sexual relationship
already or they may just be close friends.
Dr Samuel Johnson:
Johnson is highly critical of Hamlet’s behaviour, describing that he “treats Ophelia
with so much rudeness… useless and wonton cruelty”.
Johnson also looks at the problem of Hamlet’s delay, describing him as “an
instrument” instead of “an agent” and that he openly finds reasons to avoid revenge.
Johnson also brings up that Hamlet’s final moment of killing Claudius isn’t even
something he planned and that he “makes no attempt to punish Claudius” and “has
no part” in actually creating the situation that leads to his death.
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