High Hamlet Tickets

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is widely considered one of the greatest tragedies ever written, renowned for its exploration of human psychology, betrayal and the destructive consequences of revenge. However, it may come as a surprise to some that several critics have argued that there are comedic elements within the play, primarily in the form of the character of Hamlet himself.

The concept of ‘High Hamlet’ refers to these moments of comic relief within what is otherwise a poignant and dramatic exploration of death, madness and loss. For example, in Act II Scene 2, Hamlet quips to Polonius that he can “play upon [his] instrument” after the latter reveals his daughter’s talent at playing the recorder. The phrase has sexual connotations which humourously undermines Polonius’s stuffy, pompous demeanor. Similarly, Hamlet’s exchanges with his old schoolmates Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act II bring levity to the play through their banter and sarcasm, mocking the duo’s fawning servitude to King Claudius.

Yet, High Hamlet is not just about the inclusion of upbeat moments to balance out the tragedy. Rather, it shows how even in moments of darkness and despair, humanity never loses its sarcastic wit. Hamlet himself is a prime example of this; despite his overwhelming grief and self-doubt, his capacity for humor serves both to alleviate his own pain and to perplex those around him.

In addition, many of the scenes that contain comedic elements also serve to underline important themes present throughout the play. For instance, Hamlet’s use of metaphorical language demonstrates his skill in manipulating the truth, a quality that later comes back to bite him when he begins to doubt his own faculties. His biting sarcasm towards Claudius also highlights the latter’s duplicity and corruption.

Of course, not everyone believes that Hamlet should be classified as a comedy. Some argue that while there may be humor in the play, it is far outweighed by the weightier themes of revenge and tragedy. However, the fact remains that High Hamlet provides a different reading experience than one that simply focuses on the darkness of the play. It asks us to consider how humor can operate within even the bleakest of situations, giving us hope even in the midst of despair.

Ultimately, the inclusion of comedic elements within Hamlet is reflective of Shakespeare’s great skill as a writer. He was able to harness both the dramatic power of betrayal, madness and violence and the subtle, shifting balance of humanity’s response to them. In doing so, he created one of the most timeless stories ever told, one that continues to resonate with audiences long after its first performance over four centuries ago.