How William Shakespeare’s Hamlet Links to Dennis Potter’s Schmoedipus (1974) Darcey Victoria 12th Grade

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a product of late 16th- early 17th century England. The Renaissance period was one of change within the worlds of politics, art, culture, societal hierarchy and many other things. Many of the features of the play are still relevant in today’s society, due to the lack of change in the world in regards to several aspects that are prominent in the play. The biggest example of this is mental health in both men and young people, which continue to be disregarded by society even centuries later. The comment on mental health in society is reflected in many works since Hamlet, one of which is Dennis Potter’s Schmoedipus. This play links to Hamlet in terms of a reflection on the declining mental health of young men, the Oedipus complex, and the pessimistic view of society. These links are relevant as they highlight the prominent flaws in society that have remained key for centuries, and therefore demonstrate why change is needed due to the impact of these features in the world.

The biggest parallel between the two plays is the characters Hamlet and Glenn. Both are young men, who have to face ambiguous mental health disorders that effect their relationships and how they interact with other people. The...