Hamlet: Decoded History Caroline Skinner 12th Grade

It has been inferred by researchers for decades that Shakespeare used the plots and characters of his theatrical works to comment on the current political climate of England’s monarchy at the time. During the late 16th and early 17th century, persecution at the hands of the government was a common practice. Furthermore, persecution on the grounds of treason was also a viable possibility for those who spoke ill of the royal family through any medium. For this reason, it would have been imperative for Shakespeare to protect himself from these consequences if he were to convey his opinions of the monarchy through his writings. To do this, Shakespeare would have to allegorize his writings through various writing techniques. These methods are clearly displayed in Hamlet. Shakespeare uses the characters and plotlines of Hamlet as an allegory for the political happenings of the time. By placing the story far away in Denmark, Shakespeare is able to comment on the current political climate while protecting himself from persecution. The relevance of Hamlet to the monarchy in England and other European powers is evident throughout the text and portrays a clear opinion on the disloyal and vindictive tendencies of Europe’s monarchs.

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