A classic in literary history First performed at the Globe Theatre in London in 1601, Shakespeare's drama "Hamlet" is one of the best-known and most discussed tragedies in world literature. The play was already popular when it was written and still enjoys an impressive stage presence today; phrases such as "to be or not to be" have found their way into our everyday language. Prince Hamlet of Denmark endeavours to avenge the death of his father. In order to find the murderer, Hamlet undertakes a test of truth in the form of a staging and performs a play within a play. In the end, it turns out that Hamlet's father was murdered by his own brother Claudius, who subsequently married Hamlet's mother Gertrude. But Hamlet does not immediately seek revenge. Ophelia, Hamlet's lover, is also part of the dense social web at court. Her father Polonius is accidentally stabbed to death by Hamlet, whereupon events escalate and everyone involved falls into misfortune. Hamlet is even complicit in Ophelia's death. In the end, we are faced with a drama with numerous deaths. Writer Ulrike Draesner and dramaturge and author John von Düffel discuss one of the most powerful plays in world literature. Moderator: Insa Wilke The event series Classics of Literary History is sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport BW.