As the term is used on this website, the Themes are the repeated, or continuing, concepts which are of greatest significance to the events of the play.  The course of events is most driven by these.  The Themes are identified, at least in part, from express statements in the dialogue.  Knowledge of the Themes (and the [[Motifs]],) is helpful in understanding the character speeches and the events, and in simply reading the play.

As the term is used on this website, the Themes are the repeated, or continuing, concepts which are of greatest significance to the events of the play.  The course of events is most driven by these.  In other words, I use the word Theme for the concepts which are the major character motivators.

 

The Themes are identified, in large part, from express statements in the dialogue.  Knowledge of the Themes (and the [[Motifs]],) is very helpful in understanding the character speeches and the events, and in simply reading the play.

* '''[[Putting on a Show]]''' -- is ''the'' major theme of Hamlet.  This "show" category comprises instances of usage of the word "show," itself, and the word "play," also instances of false appearance (e.g. "painted face,") and also instances of misleading or deceptive speech and behavior, which are many.  The most obvious instance is the actual "show" of the Gonzago/Mousetrap play-within-a-play, but in Hamlet all the characters, in one way or another, for one reason or another, and to a greater or lesser degree, "put on a show."  Hamlet might even be thought of as Shakespeare's "show about shows."

* '''[[Putting on a Show]]''' -- is ''the'' major theme of Hamlet.  This "show" category comprises instances of usage of the word "show," itself, and the word "play," also instances of false appearance (e.g. "painted face,") and also instances of misleading or deceptive speech and behavior, which are many.  The most obvious instance is the actual "show" of the Gonzago/Mousetrap play-within-a-play, but in Hamlet all the characters, in one way or another, for one reason or another, and to a greater or lesser degree, "put on a show."  Hamlet might even be thought of as Shakespeare's "show about shows."

| [[Love]] || [[Madness]] || [[Putting on a Show]]

| [[Love]] || [[Madness]] || [[Putting on a Show]]

|-

|-

| [[Revenge]] || colspan="2" | [[Sense and the Senses]]

| [[Revenge]]

|}

|}

* Who would argue against [[Love]] as a Theme in writing by Shakespeare?  It is without doubt a motivator in ''Hamlet.''

* Who would argue against [[Love]] as a Theme in writing by Shakespeare?  It is without doubt a motivator in ''Hamlet.''

* [[Madness]] is there, and if nothing else is too traditional to omit as a Theme.  However, there is much more to [[Madness]] as a Theme than only the conventional wisdom.

* [[Madness]] is there, and if nothing else is too traditional to omit as a Theme.  However, there is more to [[Madness]] as a Theme than the conventional wisdom addresses.

* I comment above about [[Putting on a Show]].

* I comment above about [[Putting on a Show]].

* The thematic status of [[Revenge]] could hardly be denied, not only because it's traditional in discussing ''Hamlet,'' but because it's obvious and explicit in the dialogue.

* The thematic status of [[Revenge]] could hardly be denied, not only because it's traditional in discussing ''Hamlet,'' but because it's obvious and explicit in the dialogue.