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Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Written by Mr. William Shakespeare (1736)
“Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” attributed to Thomas Hanmer is a critical essay written in the early 18th century. This work discusses Shakespeare's famous play "Hamlet," offering an analysis of its themes, characters, and structure while engaging with contemporary critical debates. The essay focuses on the importance of reason and nature in evaluating the play's artistic merit, challenging the rules established by previous critics. The opening of the essay introduces the author's intent to critique "Hamlet" by examining its qualities through the lens of reason and nature, rather than adhering strictly to traditional criticism. The author immediately asserts the value of true criticism as one that highlights a work's beauties while addressing its flaws only as necessary. The essay emphasizes Shakespeare's genius and his characters' alignment with human nature, while also pointing out perceived flaws within the tragedies, such as structural absurdities. Importantly, the author hints at a balance between admiring Shakespeare's work and being candid about its imperfections, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of the play's characters and events as the essay unfolds.