Abstract

A number of puppeteers bear witness to an extraordinary text in Germany: an ancient, farcical version of Hamlet, for puppets, published in 1781. As it turns out, they are referring to a text well known to Hamlet scholars, Der Bestrafte Brudermord. This article explores Der Bestrafte Brudermord, not so much as a descendent of Q1 (with bits of Q2 muddled in), but as a potential puppet text. It looks at the background to Der Bestrafte Brudermord, explores how drama in adult and puppet form travelled over Europe, and asks whether Der Bestrafte Brudermord might ever have been the product of what Hamlet dismissively calls 'puppets dallying'.

Keywords

Shakespeare,Hamlet,Adaptation,Puppets,German theatre,Strolling players,Eighteenth century drama,Translation,

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