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Shakespeare did have a son, but his name was Hamnet. He died when he was eleven years old from unknown causes. Some scholars believe that this incident in his life is what inspired him to write his masterpiece, Hamlet. This seems unlikely since he did not write the play until four years later, after writing most of his great comedies.

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Why did Shakespeare call Hamlet Hamlet?

The story of Hamlet was around long before Shakespeare and in the form given to it by Belleforest was published about thirty years before Shakespeare wrote his play. The story had most likely previously been turned into a play. In all cases, the main character's name was Hamlet, which is why Shakespeare used this name for his play. It has nothing to do with Shakespeare's son. A play about an American President assassinated in a theatre by a guy called Booth would not be called Lincoln because the playwright had a son of that name.


Did shakespeare name Hamlet after his son?

William Shakespeare's son was called Hamnet. He never directly named any of his plays after his son, but the title of his play 'Hamlet' is of course very close to the name Hamnet. Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' also features twins of different genders (Hamnet had a twin sister named Judith).


Did any family members inspire shakespeare?

Probably not. Some people try to connect his son Hamnet with the play Hamlet, but there is no connection. His son was named for a neighbour, and Hamlet in the story was called Hamlet for centuries before Shakespeare was born. The coincidence of names is just that--a coincidence. It can be noted that the period in which Shakespeare moved from writing comedies and the optimistic histories of Henry IV and Henry V to the dark comedies and great tragedies coincides with the time of Shakespeare's father's death, but that might be a coincidence too.


How old was William Shakespeare when his father died?

If you are talking about Shakespeare's son Hamnet, he was eleven. Both of Shakespeare's daughters survived him and lived to a ripe old age.


How does the name Hamlet relate to Shakespeare?

He wrote the play Hamlet. You might think that the name was developed from his son's name- Hamnet, who died about five years before he wrote the play. But you'd be wrong. Shakespeare's son was named after his neighbour Hamnet Sadler, and his daughter, Hamnet's twin, was named for Hamnet Sadler's wife Judith Sadler. The character in the play was called Hamlet (or some variation on that) for three hundred and fifty years before Shakespeare got hold of it.Thinking that Shakespeare named the character after his son is like thinking that he named the main character in King John after his father, or one of the main female characters in Henry VIII, Anne Bullen, after his wife.

Related Questions

Why did Shakespeare call Hamlet Hamlet?

The story of Hamlet was around long before Shakespeare and in the form given to it by Belleforest was published about thirty years before Shakespeare wrote his play. The story had most likely previously been turned into a play. In all cases, the main character's name was Hamlet, which is why Shakespeare used this name for his play. It has nothing to do with Shakespeare's son. A play about an American President assassinated in a theatre by a guy called Booth would not be called Lincoln because the playwright had a son of that name.


What did William leave to his son Hamlet when he died?

William Shakespeare's son was called Hamnet, not Hamlet, and as he died aged 11 in 1596, 20 years before William Shakespeare's own death he wasn't left anything in his father's will.


Did shakespeare name Hamlet after his son?

William Shakespeare's son was called Hamnet. He never directly named any of his plays after his son, but the title of his play 'Hamlet' is of course very close to the name Hamnet. Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' also features twins of different genders (Hamnet had a twin sister named Judith).


Which play does William shakespeare take the name of his son from?

Hamlet


Who is laertes in Shakespeare?

Laertes is the son of Polonius and brother to Ophelia whom Hamlet loves. King Claudius poisons Laertes's sword with the intent to kill Hamlet in the tragedy play by Shakespeare titled Hamlet.


What is Hamlet's realm?

William Shakespeare's play Hamlet is subtitled "Prince of Denmark", as that is where the play takes place... Hamlet is the son of the late King of Denmark.


When did William Shakespeares son Hamlet die?

30Hamnet Shakespeare died at the age of eleven in 1596.


What is the significance of the character Ur-Hamlet in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet"?

The character Ur-Hamlet is significant in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" because he is believed to be the original source of inspiration for the character of Prince Hamlet. Ur-Hamlet represents the archetype of the avenging son seeking justice for his father's murder, a theme that is central to the play.


Did any family members inspire shakespeare?

Probably not. Some people try to connect his son Hamnet with the play Hamlet, but there is no connection. His son was named for a neighbour, and Hamlet in the story was called Hamlet for centuries before Shakespeare was born. The coincidence of names is just that--a coincidence. It can be noted that the period in which Shakespeare moved from writing comedies and the optimistic histories of Henry IV and Henry V to the dark comedies and great tragedies coincides with the time of Shakespeare's father's death, but that might be a coincidence too.


Did shakespeare write a play called hamlet?

Yes, he certainly did.


In Shakespeare's hamlet does hamlet have a brother?

No, Hamlet is an only child.


What Shakespeare play was a prince of denmark from?

Prince Hamlet was the Prince of Denmark in Shakespeare's play Hamlet.