According to psychological research on acting, the histrionic personality consists of a compulsive tendency to play-act, exaggerate emotions, succumb to illusions, to 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 personality-a born actor and a drama queen rather than a politician-incongruously 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.
| ISBN: | 9781032829029 |
| Publication date: | 22nd May 2026 |
| Author: | Piotr Sadowski |
| Publisher: | Routledge an imprint of Taylor & Francis |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 232 pages |
| Series: | Routledge Studies in Shakespeare |
| Genres: |
Literary studies: plays and playwrights Psychology: the self, ego, identity, personality |
According to psychological research on acting, the histrionic personality consists of a compulsive tendency to play-act, exaggerate emotions, succumb to illusions, to 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 personality-a born actor and a drama queen rather than a politician-incongruously 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.
Histrionic Hamlet features in the following genres: Classic and pre-20th century plays, Literary theory, Literary studies: general
Histrionic Hamlet is available in Paperback, Hardback
Histrionic Hamlet was written by Piotr Sadowski and published by Routledge an imprint of Taylor & Francis
Histrionic Hamlet has 232 pages
Yes it is part of Routledge Studies in Shakespeare series
£43.19