Dramaturgy Resource Guide for
Hamlet
Directed by Beth Lopes
Utah Shakespeare Festival, 2026
This resource is a living document that will grow through the rehearsal process. Always feel free to check back for more information. If you would like to see additional resources here, please just reach out! lezliecross@yahoo.com
Text Resources
and
Additional Reading
Schmidt’s Lexicon
David Crystal’s Shakespeare’s Words
OpenSourceShakespeare Concordance
First Quarto Facsimile
Second Quarto Facsimile
First Folio Facsimile
Marjorie Garber on Hamlet
Timeline
This chart provides a glimpse into the time and locations of the events of our production of Hamlet.
Constitutional Monarchy (Elizabeth I’s England) versus Elective Monarchy (Hamlet’s Denmark)
Constitutional monarchy (or parliamentary monarchy) is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not the sole decision maker.
In England, the constitution was enacted with the Magna Carta in 1215 when King John ruled. In Elizabeth’s day, she still had the power to overthrow the will of Parliament. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 gave more power to the Parliament and today, the British monarch (King Charles IV) is an effectively ceremonial role. (Watch The Crown for how this played out in the 20th Century).
Fun Fact: Alexander Hamilton wanted the US to be a Constitutional Monarchy and he was totally voted down.
Elective monarchy is a form of monarchy where the ruler is elected instead of inheriting power. In Hamlet, the country is an elective monarchy, which is why Claudius was able to pop in between the election and Hamlet’s hopes (1.1). Hamlet was at school and not able to campaign, so Claudius was elected King. This is also why Claudius is so afraid of the approach of Laertes: “They cry 'Choose we! Laertes shall be king! / Caps, hands, and tongues applaud it to the clouds, / 'Laertes shall be king! Laertes king!'” (4.5). Poor Claudius needs to remove both Hamlet and Laertes to stay safely in power.
In an elective monarchy, there can never be a succession crisis, as the next monarch is elected when the previous one dies and leaves no heir. In 1600, there were many concerns in Shakespeare’s England about a succession crisis, given that Elizabeth I was 67 years old and had no heir.
“To this speedy voyage”
The characters in Hamlet travel across Europe. Take a peek at some of their possible journeys.
Hamlet and Horatio: Wittenberg to Denmark.
Hamlet and the Pirates: Denmark to England by sea
Laertes: the sea route to France
