Who is this Hamlet guy?
- William Shakespeare
- The author lived from 1564 and died on April 23, 1616 - 52 years old.
- Periods
- Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's most famous works and was written around 1600.
Kronborg's reputation among Europe's cultural elite reached all the way to William Shakespeare, who chose the impressive castle as the setting for his iconic tragedy about the Danish prince Hamlet seeking revenge for his father's untimely death. Shakespeare probably never set foot in the castle himself, yet Kronborg was immortalized as Elsinore in the world-famous drama.
William Shakespeare
The author behind Hamlet
He is considered one of the most influential figures in world literature. With more than 30 plays and 150 sonnets, William Shakespare has left an indelible mark on both literature and the English language. His works revolve around universal themes of love, power, betrayal and existence and are still performed in theaters around the world. Shakespeare has not only shaped the development of drama, but also had a major impact on Western culture and social thought. Hamlet, one of his most famous tragedies, is a masterful example of his ability to depict the inner conflicts and moral dilemmas of humanity, which is why the play remains relevant to this day.
William Shakespeare
From Amleth to Hamlet
Nicolai Abildgaard, Hamlet with his mother 1776 - 1796
The origin of tragedy
Shakespeare wrote the tragedy of Hamlet over 400 years ago and is believed to have been inspired by an old Scandinavian legend about Prince Amleth avenging his father's murder. The story was written down by Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in the 12th century. It is also believed that Shakespeare was fascinated by the stories he heard from actors in his own troupe who had previously performed for King Frederick II and Queen Sophie. These tales of life at court, with its intrigue, drama and wild parties, inspired him to set the story in a Danish castle.
Nicolai Abildgaard, Hamlet with his mother 1776 - 1796
Kronborg becomes Elsinore
Tragedy and attraction
The story of Hamlet is primarily set in the Danish castle of Elsinore, which is inspired by Kronborg. The action takes place in the royal ranks where intrigue and power struggles take place. The Danish reference in the world-famous drama brings thousands of tourists to the castle every year to see where the source of Shakespeare's inspiration comes from.
The first performance
In 1816, Hamlet was first performed at Kronborg
At the time, Kronborg was a barracks with its very own theater troupe of theater-loving soldiers. To mark the 200th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, they performed Hamlet at Kronborg. One hundred years later, the Royal Theater took over the castle courtyard with its own production, but it wasn't until 1937 that the tradition of performing this timeless drama became a permanent part of the castle's culture. Over the years, international stars such as Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, John Gielgud, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Simon Russell Beale and Jude Law have graced the stage with their stunning performances. Today, HamletScenen continues to carry on the theater legacy at Kronborg, where each performance still brings Shakespeare's spirit to life in the historic setting.
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