==Location==

==Location==

[[File:Helsingor_sound_helsingborg_1588.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Elsinore, the Sound, and Helsingborg, 1588]]

[[File:Helsingor_sound_helsingborg_1588.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Elsinore, the Sound, and Helsingborg, 1588]]

The stage action of ''Hamlet'' is located in and around the fictional Elsinore Castle, which is based on the real Kronborg Castle near the town of Helsingor, Denmark.  The name, Elsinore, is an English adaptation of "Helsingor."

The stage action of ''Hamlet'' is located in and around the fictional Elsinore Castle, which is based on the real Kronborg Castle near the town of Helsingor, Denmark.  The name, Elsinore, is an English adaptation of "Helsingor."

Since Kronborg Castle is on the Øresund, the Sound, we are to understand that Elsinore Castle is also beside a strait.  We are apparently supposed to understand, in ''Hamlet,'' that the Norwegians are just across the strait, corresponding to where Helsingborg Castle is (which is in Sweden today, but was Danish in Shakespeare's time.  Scania, where Helsingborg is, became part of Sweden in 1658.)

Since Kronborg Castle is on the Øresund, the Sound, we are to understand that Elsinore Castle is also beside a strait.  We are apparently supposed to understand, in ''Hamlet,'' that the Norwegians are just across the strait, corresponding to where Helsingborg Castle is (which is in Sweden today, but was Danish in Shakespeare's time.  Scania, where Helsingborg is, became part of Sweden in 1658.)

The image to the right shows that geographic area in an artist's conception from 1588.  North is to the left.  The illustration has an ample amount of artistic license.

The image to the right, below Kronborg Castle, shows the geographic area around the Øresund in an artist's conception from 1588.  North is to the left.  The illustration has an ample amount of artistic license.

You may use the following link to see the image at full size:<br>

You may use the following link to see the image at full size:<br>

You may then have to click the image to enlarge it fully.

You may then have to click the image to enlarge it fully.

Kronborg Castle is prominently in the lower center, with the town of Helsingor directly beside the Castle.  Helsingborg, and its castle, are across the Øresund, at upper center.

Kronborg Castle is prominently in the lower center, with the town of Helsingor beside the Castle.  Helsingborg, and its castle, are across the Øresund, at upper center.

[[File:Helsingborg_1589.jpg|left|an artist's conception of Helsingborg in 1589]]

[[File:Helsingborg_1589.jpg|left|an artist's conception of Helsingborg in 1589]]

Shakespeare's Elsinore Castle is not exactly Kronborg Castle, since Shakespeare's Elsinore Castle has battlements, which Kronborg does not.

Shakespeare's Elsinore Castle is not exactly Kronborg Castle, since Shakespeare's Elsinore Castle has battlements, which Kronborg does not.