hamlet crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! We've got all the solutions for the "hamlet crossword clue" to help you complete your puzzle quickly and accurately. Explore the answers by letter count along with helpful explanations.
Solutions for "hamlet crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
PLAY: Refers to William Shakespeare's famous tragedy, 'Hamlet'.
DANE: Denotes Prince Hamlet, who is the Prince of Denmark.
6 Letters
PRINCE: Directly refers to Prince Hamlet, the central character of the play.
7 Letters
VILLAGE: One of the primary meanings of 'hamlet' – a small settlement, smaller than a town.
TRAGEDY: The genre of Shakespeare's celebrated work, 'Hamlet'.
DENMARK: The setting for much of Shakespeare's play, from which Hamlet hails.
More About "hamlet crossword clue"
The clue "hamlet" is a classic example of a crossword clue that can have dual meanings, requiring solvers to consider context. Primarily, a hamlet is a small human settlement, typically larger than a scattered dwelling but smaller than a village or town, often without its own church or administrative centre. This geographical meaning is very common in general knowledge crosswords.
However, "Hamlet" with a capital 'H' almost universally refers to William Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, 'The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'. This play is renowned for its complex characters, philosophical depth, and dramatic soliloquies, making it a frequent subject in literary-themed crossword puzzles. Clues referencing the play might hint at characters like Ophelia, Claudius, or Polonius, or concepts like revenge, madness, or the setting of Elsinore.
Distinguishing between the two meanings often depends on the length of the required answer or other words in the clue. A shorter answer might point to "PLAY" or "DANE," while a longer one could be "VILLAGE" or even "SHAKESPEARE" if the clue is broader. Always consider the surrounding clues for hints.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Context is Key: For clues like "hamlet," always look at the surrounding clues. Are there other literary references? Or are there hints about geography or rural life?
- Check Letter Count: The number of letters in the answer is a crucial hint. A 4-letter answer for "hamlet" will likely be 'PLAY' or 'DANE', while a 7-letter one might be 'VILLAGE' or 'TRAGEDY'.
- Consider Proper Nouns: If the clue implies a specific name, remember to capitalize your answer mentally, even if crosswords are typically all caps. "Hamlet" (the play) will often lead to answers related to it as a proper noun.
- Think Synonyms: For the 'place' meaning, consider synonyms for small settlements, like 'village', 'hamlet', 'town', 'burgh', etc.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'hamlet' mean in a crossword context?
'Hamlet' can refer to two main things in crosswords: a small village or settlement (the literal definition) or the famous play by William Shakespeare (and its characters/themes). Context from surrounding clues is key.
How can I tell if the clue refers to the play or the place?
Look for other indicators. If the clue has words like 'Bard', 'Shakespeare', 'tragedy', 'Danish prince', or character names like 'Ophelia' or 'Claudius', it likely refers to the play. If it includes words like 'village', 'settlement', 'rural', or 'community', it probably means the place.
Are there any common short answers for 'hamlet'?
Yes, common short answers related to Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' include 'PLAY' (4 letters), 'DANE' (4 letters, referring to Prince Hamlet), or even specific character names depending on the clue's nuance. For the 'place' meaning, 'TOWN' (4 letters) or 'BURGH' (5 letters) might appear.