Fall 2026 OLLI Digital Catalog

THE MORAL PUZZLE OF HAMLET (H577)

H – Literature

Extended discussion of the many textual issues and omissions that make interpretation of Hamlet’s character and decisions, as well as the play’s tragic significance, enduringly vexed questions. We’ll even spend a bit of time discussing how much the recent Oscar winning film, Hamnet, clarifies the play’s intent. Please prepare for the first class either by reading the play or a substantial plot summary beforehand so we may begin to identify some of the more obvious issues to be mulled.

This offering meets for a total of 11 session(s).

INSTRUCTOR: William Zak

ZAK, WILLIAM — Ph.D., English literature, University of Michigan; M.A., Lehigh University; B.A., Boston College. Retired from a 30-year teaching career in the Department of English of Salisbury University. Author of several books on Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, Greek tragedy, and, most recently, a study of Robert Frost’s major poetry, published in 2022 by Lexington Books.

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