http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/keyword/hamlet Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:04:36 -0400 Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:04:36 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1795/chaos-and-dissimulation-in-ian-mcewans-modern-retelling-of-hamlet By Margherita Codurelli - This paper analyses Ian McEwan’s reuse of Shakespeare’s material in his retelling of Hamlet from the unusual point of view of an unborn child. By considering its plot, characters, setting and main issues, McEwan’s novel Nutshell will be investigated focusing on how his process of appropriation is both a study of a universal tale of doubt and indecision, and a way to transpose Shakespeare’s universal truths to a modern historical and cultural context. Specific examples from both texts are meant to provide insight into the similarities and the differences between them, lastly... Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:12 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1795/chaos-and-dissimulation-in-ian-mcewans-modern-retelling-of-hamlet http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1048/polysemic-language-democratization-and-the-empowerment-of-the-body-politic-in-shakespeares-hamlet By Hayley E. Tartell - In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince Hamlet’s polysemic language raises the theme of empowerment of the body politic and, ultimately, the notion of democratization. Through an analysis of Hamlet’s speech, particularly in response to King Claudius, this paper suggests that a democratizing percept is intrinsically rooted in this work and further elucidated upon careful consideration of Ranciere’s The Emancipated Spectator. By exploring Ranciere’s notion of active engagement with the “third thing,” this paper highlights the democratic politics that encompass... Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:29 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1048/polysemic-language-democratization-and-the-empowerment-of-the-body-politic-in-shakespeares-hamlet http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/274/and-i-of-ladies-most-deject-and-wretched-diagnosing-shakespeares-ophelia-with-post-traumatic-stress-disorder By Ellen T. Goodson - If William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is “the most famous play in English literature,” his Ophelia is arguably the field’s most tragic female figure (Meyer 1588). Torn from her lover and bereft of her father, the young woman falls into grief-stricken madness that ends, in many literary and theatrical interpretations, in suicide. Critics and directors have characterized her as an innocent child, a passive daughter, compassion-inducing soul, and an undeserving victim. Yet her clichéd portrayal as “helpless, crazy wretch” gains a humanizing dimension when seen... Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:05 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/274/and-i-of-ladies-most-deject-and-wretched-diagnosing-shakespeares-ophelia-with-post-traumatic-stress-disorder http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/150/the-manipulative-nature-of-claudius-in-shakespeares-hamlet By N B - In the play, Hamlet is introduced as a troubled man in deep depression. He was mourning the death of his beloved father and his mother’s marriage to his uncle. In Act 1 Scene 2 Claudius gives Hamlet a speech to try and get him to stop bringing up his father, probably fearing that the more the late King was talked about, or remembered, the more likely people were to look into his death. It is understandable that he wanted Hamlet to move on quickly. This speech seems carefully planned out, as if Claudius had written it out before he delivered it. Hamlet had probably been lamenting his father... Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:33 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/150/the-manipulative-nature-of-claudius-in-shakespeares-hamlet http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/94/how-now-hecate-the-supernatural-in-shakespeares-tragedies By Deva Jasheway - Hamlet and Macbeth are both examples in which the supernatural element enters the play at the opening of the action. The way a theatrical production begins has a great effect on the audience’s perception of the play, and both of these plays emphasize the supernatural from the start. The witches are the first characters we see in Macbeth, already prophesying and spouting paradoxical sayings. The stormy stage and odd characters establish early that this story occurs within an eerie and unnatural place. Hamlet brings the Ghost of the dead king to the plot’s fore in the first few scenes... Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:28 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/94/how-now-hecate-the-supernatural-in-shakespeares-tragedies http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/52/female-norms-and-the-patriarchal-power-structure-in-shakespeares-hamlet By Wendy J. Rogers - This ability to create upheaval increases in accordance with the amount of power an individual may hold within the traditional power structure. If this independence from conventional thought occurs in someone with a high political rank, they potentially have the power to cause a collapse within that structure. A person with little political power who finds protection within the established system has little recourse and is left defenseless when that system collapses. Given their traditionally less visible roles in society, rebellious women stand is sharp contrast to their more compliant sisters... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:21 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/52/female-norms-and-the-patriarchal-power-structure-in-shakespeares-hamlet