Why does Hamlet continue to speak to generation after generation? In many ways, he is the first truly modern literary character. He is enmeshed in inner conflicts, and knows he is his own worst problem. Hamlet's problem, and ours, is essentially psychological. This introduction to Hamlet will briefly survey the history of the play, and then zero in on Hamlet's problem, and ours.

James Hollis, PhD, is a Jungian Analyst, Executive Director of the Jung Society of Washington, and author of fifteen books.