Setting
Time: Throughout Hamlet we do not get a specific time period that it takes place in. Through different props and thoughts used in the play the reader can see that it most likely takes place in the 14th or 15th century. Some of the different ways that the reader can interpret this is through how they use swordplay, live in castles, and that there are still pirates.
Place: The play is set in the state of Denmark and there are also many different references to different countries around Denmark such as Poland, Norway, France, and England. A key setting in the play was the scene of the graveyard. The setting of the graveyard was to emphasize Hamlet’s questioning of life and put an emphasis on that theme. The prop of Yorick's head is also a key factor to show the theme of death and questioning of life. This scene also leads to the thought of how everyone is going to die and if we should remember them or move on with our lives and forget.
Culture: A significant part of this play is that it takes place in the Denmark high court which is shown to have a large amount of corruption and manipulation. The fact that it takes place in a monarchy and in a high court system shows that appearances matter throughout the play, such as how everyone constantly is judging Hamlet for being “mad.” The constant judging of Hamlet makes his appearance of madness even more convincing and makes a stronger point on the theme of madness displayed throughout the play. The monarchy helps the play as a whole because it emphasizes the themes of power and manipulation. The former is portrayed through the new king's desire to become powerful as he uses the monarchy system as an advantage.