jueves, 20 de noviembre de 2014

Hamlet Impact

We all know that Shakespeare's works are widely popular all around the world, especially Hamlet. Who didn't have to read it at school? Even in non-English speaking countries it has become part of the cultural ground. Just take a look at the famous quote "to be or not to be, that is the question", I've heard little ones saying it without even knowing who Shakespeare was; the image of Hamlet with the skull on his hands that I think is one of the most famous scenes; Hamlet's personality which has become so understood that you can say "I feel Hamlet-like today" and everybody gets that you are down or depressed, and you're questioning the meaning of life, etc.

Moreover, there are all kinds of arts inspired by this play. One of them is Ophelia (1851-1852) by the british artist Sir John Everett Millais.
She is portrayed singing in the river in Denmark where she drowned.

Another one is The Young Lord Hamlet (1868) by Philip H. Calderon.
Inspired by Hamlet's imaginative scene in the graveyard when he takes the skull of Yorick, the jester.
Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen? Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her laugh at that. (Act V, Scene 1)

Hamlet's influence can also be seen in songs such as "Ophelia" by The Band which refers to Ophelia's madness.


And in animated television series such as Animaniacs and The Simpsons.






Sources

2 comentarios:

  1. Hi Yasna,
    I totally agree with your post and I think that Hamlet's influence is even bigger than we think!
    I personally believe that Hamlet was once brought to life by Shakespeare and it is still alive in all of us. When we think about theater, we think about Hamlet, and when we think about life, we think about the "To be or not to be". And it has not only only influenced theater, but also film and arts in general.
    Thanks for your post!

    Cheers!

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