By Shaun Barrowes
William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a profound exploration of grief, betrayal, revenge, and existential despair. With its complex characters and haunting soliloquies, the play continues to captivate readers and audiences alike. To deepen your connection to the story, I’ve curated a Hamlet music playlist—featuring symphonic pieces that capture the emotional highs and lows of this tragic masterpiece.
These selections are designed to enhance the reading experience, helping readers, teachers, and students resonate more deeply with the play's themes while making key scenes unforgettable. This list is just a starting point—feel free to mix and match or create your own musical pairings for a truly immersive experience.
1. The Ghost's Revelation (Act 1, Scene 5)
Theme: Betrayal, supernatural horror, and a call for revenge.Music:
“Dies Irae” – Giuseppe Verdi
The intense choral power mirrors the ghost’s demand for vengeance.
“The Prestige” – David Julyan (The Prestige)
Dark and mysterious, it captures the unsettling nature of the ghost’s appearance.
“O Fortuna” – Carl Orff (Carmina Burana)
The ominous chorus embodies the inevitability of revenge.
“Mars, the Bringer of War” – Gustav Holst
Its militant tones reflect the brewing conflict within Hamlet.
“Obliviate” – Alexandre Desplat (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)
The dark, reflective mood suits the ghost’s grim revelation.
“Lux Aeterna” – Clint Mansell (Requiem for a Dream)
Builds a hypnotic tension that echoes Hamlet’s turmoil.
2. The Madness of Ophelia (Act 4, Scene 5)
Theme: Innocence lost, heartbreak, and the fragility of the mind.Music:
“Aquarium” – Camille Saint-Saëns (Carnival of the Animals)
Eerie and surreal, reflecting Ophelia’s mental unraveling.
“Spiegel im Spiegel” – Arvo Pärt
Its minimalist beauty captures her innocence and sorrow.
“Lacrimosa” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Requiem)
The sorrowful chorus mirrors the tragedy of her fate.
“Meditation” – Jules Massenet
The mournful violin solo echoes her grief and isolation.
“The Host of Seraphim” – Dead Can Dance
The ethereal vocals add a haunting depth to her madness.
“Agnus Dei” – Samuel Barber
Captures the tragic beauty of Ophelia’s final moments.
3. Claudius’s Guilt and Confession (Act 3, Scene 3)
Theme: Corruption, power, and the weight of conscience.Music:
“Requiem: In Paradisum” – Gabriel Fauré
Its serene tones contrast Claudius’s internal torment.
"The Red Capes Are Coming” – Hans Zimmer (Batman v Superman)
A brooding theme that echoes his guilt and paranoia.
“Perfection” – Clint Mansell (Black Swan)
Its tense, obsessive sound reflects Claudius’s desperation.
“Götterdämmerung – Siegfried’s Death and Funeral March” – Richard Wagner
A powerful orchestral piece for Claudius’s moral downfall.
“The Conspirators” – John Williams (JFK)
Mirrors the dark secrets lurking within the Danish court.
4. The Play Within a Play (Act 3, Scene 2)
Theme: Deception, revelation, and psychological warfare.Music:
“The Ecstasy of Gold” – Ennio Morricone
Builds suspense as Hamlet watches Claudius’s reaction.
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” – Edvard Grieg
Playful yet dark, it mirrors the mounting tension.
"Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” – J.S. Bach
Its dramatic organ suits the unfolding revelations.
“Promentory” – Trevor Jones (Last of the Mohicans)
Its urgent strings capture the rising stakes.
“The Battle” – Harry Gregson-Williams (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Reflects the clash of wits between Hamlet and Claudius.
5. The Graveyard Scene (Act 5, Scene 1)
Theme: Mortality, reflection, and existential despair.Music:
“Adagio for Strings” – Samuel Barber
Its melancholic strings mirror Hamlet’s reflections on death.
“Requiem: Pie Jesu” – Andrew Lloyd Webber
A tender choral piece for the inevitability of death.
“Ashokan Farewell” – Jay Ungar
Its sorrowful violin reflects Hamlet’s longing and loss.
"Moonlight Sonata” – Ludwig van Beethoven
Dark, reflective tones capture the scene’s meditation on death.
“The Wings” – Gustavo Santaolalla (Brokeback Mountain)
Its reflective tones suit the bittersweet contemplation.
6. The Final Duel and Tragic End (Act 5, Scene 2)
Theme: Fate, sacrifice, and the collapse of the Danish court.Music:
“Liebestod” – Richard Wagner (Tristan und Isolde)
Its sweeping melody captures the tragic resolution.
“Requiem Aeternam” – John Rutter
A solemn choral piece for the death of Hamlet and the royal family.
“Adagietto” from Symphony No. 5 – Gustav Mahler
Slow, sorrowful strings echo the finality of the tragedy.
“Danse Macabre” – Camille Saint-Saëns
Its dark, swirling energy captures the chaos of the final act.
“Song for Bob” – Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
Lonely and reflective, a fitting end to Hamlet’s story.
This playlist is designed to make your reading of Hamlet even more immersive, drawing you deeper into the emotional core of the play. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or simply a lover of Shakespeare, these symphonic pieces will help you feel every betrayal, every sorrow, and every breath of fate.
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