Hamlet is possibly the most famous play written by William Shakespeare. This play was written around 1600 and first performed by Chamberlain’s Men in England (Mabillard, 2000). Hamlet is the longest play that Shakespeare ever wrote and known as arguably the best tragedy ever conceived. Hamlet is a tragedy that depicts how Prince Hamlet must seek revenge on his uncle, Claudius, after he murdered his father, King Hamlet, and stole the throne that rightfully belonged to the young prince. In today’s life, the themes and and echos of this play can be seen in multiple places. From being featured in other shows and movies to giving lessons that can be used in everyday life, Hamlet is very much still alive. The story of Hamlet still has a relevance today that can be seen through themes and the influences that it has given to today’s society. …show more content…
Many, if not all, shows and movies use the major themes that were given to us by Shakespeare’s masterpiece. For example, the theme of mortality, or death, is seen in many of the movies today. Mortality not only deals with death but as well as life and even the meaning of life. The theme of revenge is very prominent in Hamlet is this is the theme that drives the plot of the book. A movie that has the theme of death and revenge is Gladiator. This movie is about a Roman general whose family is murdered and now he must fight in the Colosseum to stay alive. This general, Maximus, is stripped of everything he has, much like how Hamlet’s father and his right to the throne was taken from him followed by his sanity. In the end, Maximus takes revenge on the person who murdered his family. The end also shows the theme of death when Maximus dies so that he can be with his family again. Hamlet was the reason many of these themes are used in popular movies