The Adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Different Cultural and Historical Contexts

Ziad Abushalha

doi:10.7176/jlll/56-04

Abstract

This study aims at examining why Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been adapted and appropriated in different historical and cultural contexts. The study begins by introducing the reasons behind adapting this play and how the play’s thematic variety and its deep tackling of controversial philosophical, social, political and human issues, that interest everyone from different cultures and times, are the reasons that made it transcultural. The study then tries to trace the journey of adapting Hamlet through history starting from the seventeenth century up to postmodern era. After that, it dwells on examples from different cultural contexts such as Europe, Asia and Africa, Canada and many other places to prove the play’s universality. The study also includes many examples of cinematic, poetic and cartoony adaptations of the play to indicate the ability of the play to adjust itself to different artistic and cultural mediums. Keywords: adaptations, appropriations, transculturalism DOI : 10.7176/JLLL/56-04 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Highlights

Hamlet, as a play more than character, is considered by T
Part of the play’s popularity is attained from Shakespeare’s ability to dramatize the lives of men and women as they are on stage, and his skillfulness to tackle deep philosophical, social, political and human issues that interest everyone from different cultures and times
This study aims at examining how Shakespeare’s Hamlet became transcultural through different adaptations and appropriations by writers from different historical and cultural contexts

Summary

Introduction

As a play more than character, is considered by T. Part of the play’s popularity is attained from Shakespeare’s ability to dramatize the lives of men and women as they are on stage, and his skillfulness to tackle deep philosophical, social, political and human issues that interest everyone from different cultures and times.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion