Who wrote the play ‘Hamlet’?

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in the English language, and among his most famous works is the tragic play ‘Hamlet’. While the authorship of the play has been debated by scholars and literary critics over the years, the overwhelming majority of evidence supports the claim that Shakespeare wrote ‘Hamlet’.

The Life of Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. He was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare, and his father was a glove maker and a prominent figure in the town. Shakespeare received a good education, but there is no record of him attending university.

At the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, and they had three children together. He moved to London to pursue a career in acting and playwriting, and he became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men theater company.

Key Evidence Supporting Shakespeare’s Authorship

• First Folio: The First Folio, published in 1623, contains 36 plays attributed to Shakespeare, including ‘Hamlet’. The Folio was compiled by two of Shakespeare’s friends and colleagues, John Heminges and Henry Condell.
• Contemporary Accounts: Many of Shakespeare’s contemporaries, including actors and writers, referred to ‘Hamlet’ as one of his plays.
• Historical Records: There are numerous historical records of performances of ‘Hamlet’ by Shakespeare’s company, including a performance at court in 1603.

Alternative Theories and Debates

Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting Shakespeare’s authorship, there are some who have questioned whether he was the true author of ‘Hamlet’. Some have suggested that the play was written by another playwright, such as Christopher Marlowe or Francis Bacon.

Other theories have proposed that the play was written by a group of collaborators, or that it was based on an earlier, unknown play.

Why Shakespeare Remains the Most Credible Author

There are several reasons why Shakespeare remains the most credible author of ‘Hamlet’. These include:

• His documented career as a playwright and actor.
• The style and themes of the play, which are consistent with other known works by Shakespeare.
• The numerous historical records and contemporary accounts that attribute the play to him.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there may be some debate about the authorship of ‘Hamlet’, the overwhelming evidence supports the claim that William Shakespeare wrote the play. His documented career, the style and themes of the play, and the numerous historical records all point to him as the most credible author.