Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 5, May 1850

A mid‑nineteenth‑century essay invites listeners into the lively debate over Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” using the fresh perspective of the German critic Ulrici. The writer opens by recalling earlier scholars’ awe and skepticism, then frames Ulrici’s claim that every Shakespeare play rests on a single moral theme that threads through its characters, language, and action.

Turning that theory toward “Hamlet,” the essay argues that the play’s core is the idea of discretion—prudence, discernment and judicious judgment. By dissecting scenes of reserve versus extravagance, vacillation, and craft, the author shows how each passage reflects or opposes this theme, offering a compact yet thought‑provoking guide to the tragedy’s deeper unity. Listeners will enjoy a clear, scholarly walk through the early acts, gaining fresh insight into a classic work without revealing its later twists.