Shakespeare’s Hamlet: A Play for All Ages – A Study of Its Philosophical and Existential Themes Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 film adaptation

This study explores why Shakespeare’s Hamlet continues to matter to us today through the lens of its profound philosophical ideas about life and existence. It aims to demonstrate how Hamlet remains a powerful and fascinating play that connects with people across all periods because it addresses enduring human concerns. By considering Hamlet’s historical and cultural context and its engagement with essential questions about existence, purpose, morality, and the human condition, this thesis argues that the play’s enduring impact is due to its everlasting exploration of universal concerns. One of the crucial aspects of this study is to understand the historical background of existentialism, a philosophical movement that emerged in the 20th century. By historicising this school of thought and its fundamental doctrines, we will demonstrate how the concepts articulated by key figures such as Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Albert Camus, who highlight the concrete and problematic character of human existence are vividly reflected in Hamlet. Fundamentally, this paper demonstrates how the 1996 adaptation of Hamlet by Kenneth Branagh, a production notable for its fidelity to the original text and innovative cinematic techniques, connects the Elizabethan era with the modern world, rendering it profoundly relevant across all ages and transcending its historical origins. The analysis of Branagh’s interpretation reveals how his directorial choices and performance illuminate the existential themes inherent in the play. Key scenes, such as Hamlet’s soliloquies, his contemplation of life and death, and his interactions with other characters, are analysed to underscore the narrative’s philosophical depth and emotional intensity.