Was Hamlet the character based upon Shakespeare's father?

Answer 1

There is no reason to believe so. The story of Hamlet was well-known long before Shakespeare heard about it, and some of the lines of his character were already drawn. Whether he was inspired to change aspects of that character by someone he knew is anyone's guess.

Answer 2

Many suggest it as much more likely that Hamlet's character was more likely based on Shakespeare's son "Hamnet". But although the two have similar names, Hamnet died more than five years before the play was written. What is more, the Hamlet story existed independently of Shakespeare long before young Hamnet died. Shakespeare did not invent the story.

In any case, Hamnet Shakespeare's son and Hamlet the character have absolutely nothing in common apart from their names. Nobody seems to want to claim that the character of Anne Bullen in Henry VIII is based on Shakespeare's wife, or that King John is based on his father. They should treat Hamnet the same.

Shakespeare's father, on the other hand, did die at about the same time Hamlet was written, and his death may have been a factor in Shakespeare writing some of his darkest (and greatest) plays at this time. However, the character of Hamlet does not resemble John Shakespeare in any particular.