Natator-depressus

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nex3
@nex3

Something doesn't get to be "A Hamlet" just by having a son avenge his father. That's an incredibly shallow reading of the original story and a boring basis for any new adaptation into another story. I'm looking at you, Akira Kurosawa and Allers & Minkoff.

In order for a story to be "A Hamlet" you need at bare minimum:

  • A son whose father is murdered.
  • The murderer usurps the father's role.
  • No one but the son sees a problem.
  • The son seeks vindication through psychological manipulation.

I think you're a sinner if you don't also include Ophelia, but I don't think she's load-bearing for a plot to be recognizably Hamlet.


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in reply to @nex3's post:

Does there need to be a Rozencrantz or Guildenstern kind of ancillary character breaking the fourth wall and/or often traveling through liminal spaces?

The psychological as opposed to physical means of vindication kicks out Lion King, and the "no one sees it's a problem" gets rid of quite a few other often used examples like Star Wars.

Ultimately, I agree with you, though I'm having trouble thinking of even a single other Hamlet now

Yeah I’ve heard the comparisons between The Lion King and Hamlet before, I just never drew this particular parallel (and I definitely don’t know Hamlet well enough to evaluate how good the overall association is)