- 248 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Only available on web
About This Book
According to psychological research on acting, the histrionic personality consists of a compulsive tendency to play-act, exaggerate emotions, succumb to illusions, seek attention through speech, body language and costume, to be seductive and impulsive. An original intervention in the critical history of Shakespeare's most famous play, Histrionic Hamlet argues that the Danish Prince is a stage representation of just such a personalityâa born actor and a drama queen rather than a politicianâincongruously thrown in the middle of ruthless high-stakes power struggle requiring pragmatic rather than theatrical skills. Uniquely among other English revenge tragedies, in Hamlet a histrionic protagonist striking a series of gratuitous, baffling, self-indulgent, and counterproductive poses is called upon to carry out a challenging and brutal political task, which he spectacularly and tragically mismanages. Unable to perform on a theatrical stage as a professional actor, the Clown Prince bitterly play acts anyway, turning all situations into opportunities of pretend play rather than effective political action. In consequence he wastes tactical advantages over his enemies, endangers himself, and jeopardizes his revenge plan, if ever there was one. Histrionic Hamlet should be of interest to students of Shakespeare, theater practitioners, and anyone interested in human dysfunctional and maladaptive behavior.
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Series Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Table of Contents
- Introduction: Between Drama and Life
- 1 âAnd All Men and Women Merely Playersâ: Social Role Playing and Theatrical Acting
- 2 âReport Me and My Cause Aright to the Unsatisfiedâ: Audiences and Critics
- 3 âRevenge His Foul and Most Unnatural Murder!â: Hamlet Versus Pragmatic Avengers
- 4 âHow Is It That the Clouds Still Hang on You?â: Hamletâs Teen Angst
- 5 âThis Fellow in the Cellarageâ: Hamlet and the Ghost
- 6 âDoubt Truth to Be a Liarâ: The Melancholy Lover
- 7 âWill You See the Players Well Bestowedâ: Hamlet in His Element
- 8 âThe Playâs the Thingâ: Hamletâs Unfortunate Theatrical Experiment
- 9 âThereâs Letters Sealedâ: Hamletâs Nemesis
- 10 âThe Rest Is Silenceâ: The DĂ©nouement
- Bibliography
- Index