Hamlet
A tragedy is set out in a particular way; many tragedies have been based on Hamlet as it is one of the first tragedy plays. An Elizabethan revenge tragedy shares most of the same characteristics as other revenge tragedies or plays. Often you will find a play within a play, mad scenes, a vengeful ghost, one or several gory scenes and a character whohas a grudge against their enemy. The main character, in the case of Hamlet the ‘hero’ will take matters into his own hands and will seek revenge privately, after justice has failed in a public place.
Renaissance Literature began in Italy during the 15th Century and spread throughout Europe in the 17th Century. It is influenced by the artistic and cultural Renaissance. During this time the language and literature changed from the Medieval times English literature, into the Elizabethan literature. Before Renaissance literature, stories, poems and plays were written in Latin and only people who could understand Latin could read or listen to this. People began writing in the languages of their own people, this meant more people could ready literary works and was not available to ‘ordinary people’.
Elizabethan tragedies often show that they have a Senecan influence. This is because Senecan tragedies tended to include ideas of revenge, the occult, the supernatural, suicide, blood and gore. Senecan tragedies are the body of ten 1st century dramas, eight of these were written by the roman philosopher L. Annaeus Seneca. Some characteristics of a revenge play is also thought to have come from a morality play, Morality plays deal with a theme of revenge with scenes of seriousness and tragedy.
Hamlet influenced a lot of work since it was written; it is one of the most-quoted works in the English languages. It has proved to be an influence in literature. Hamlet influences many of modern narratives, from stories that are expanded roles of ‘Hamlet’ and simplifications of the story for young readers.