Who is Hamlet?
- William Shakespeare
- The author was born in 1564 and died on April 23, 1616 - 52 years old.
- Period
- Hamlet is one of the author's most famous works and was written around 1600.
Kronborg's reputation in Europe's cultural elite reached all the way to William Shakespeare. He chose the impressive castle as the backdrop for his iconic tragedy about the Danish prince Hamlet, who seeks to avenge his father's untimely death. Shakespeare probably never set foot in the castle himself, but nonetheless, Kronborg was immortalized as Elsinore in the world-famous drama.
William Shakespeare
The author of Hamlet
William Shakespeare is considered one of the most influential figures in world literature. With more than 30 plays and 150 sonnets, William Shakespeare has had a lasting impact on both literature and the English language. His works revolve around universal themes such as love, power, betrayal, and existence, and they are still performed in theaters all over the world. Shakespeare has not only shaped the development of drama but also had a significant impact on Western culture and societal thought. Hamlet, one of his most renowned tragedies, is a masterful example of his ability to portray the inner conflicts and moral dilemmas of the human condition—precisely why the play remains relevant to this day.
William Shakespeare
From Amleth to Hamlet
Nicolai Abildgaard, Hamlet with his mother 1776 - 1796
The origin
Shakespeare wrote the tragedy of Hamlet over 400 years ago and is believed to have found his inspiration in an ancient Scandinavian legend about Prince Amleth, who avenges his father's murder. The story was recorded by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in the 12th century. Romour has it that Shakespeare became fascinated by the stories he heard from actors in his own troupe, who had previously performed for King Frederick II and Queen Sophie. These tales of life at the court, the intrigues, drama, and wild parties, inspired him to set the story in the Danish castle.
Nicolai Abildgaard, Hamlet with his mother 1776 - 1796
Kronborg becomes Elsinore
Tragedy and tourism
The tragedy primarily takes place at the Danish castle Elsinore, which is inspired by Kronborg. The action unfolds within the royal ranks, where intrigues and power struggles occur. The Danish reference in the world-famous drama attracts thousands of tourists to the castle each year to see the source of Shakespeare's inspiration.
The first performance
In 1816, Hamlet was performed at Kronborg Castle for the first time.
At this time, Kronborg was a barracks with its very own theater troupe consisting of theater-loving soldiers. To mark the 200th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, they performed Hamlet at Kronborg. A hundred years later, the Royal Theater took over the castle courtyard with its own production, but it was not until 1937 that the tradition of performing this timeless drama became an integral part of the castle's culture. Over the years, great international stars such as Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, John Gielgud, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Simon Russell Beale, and Jude Law have illuminated the stages with their fantastic performances. Today, HamletScenen continues to carry on the theatrical legacy at Kronborg, where each performance still brings Shakespeare's spirit to life within the historic setting.
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