Hamlet is Tempted to Kill the King (Act III, Scene III)

Hamlet is Tempted to Kill the King (Act III, Scene III) by Eugène Delacroix is a significant graphic work produced between 1834 and 1843. This powerful lithograph captures the apex of the dramatic tension in Shakespeare’s tragedy, depicting Hamlet confronting the opportunity to murder Claudius while the latter is praying. Delacroix, the leading proponent of French Romanticism, created a total of sixteen lithographs illustrating the play, demonstrating his profound and career-long engagement with English literature.

Executed during the core of the 1826 to 1850 period, this print reflects the Romantic movement's focus on intense emotion and psychological conflict. Delacroix utilizes the expressive capabilities of the lithograph technique to enhance the drama, employing stark contrasts of darkness and illumination to isolate the two figures. Claudius kneels, unaware, bathed in a faint light, symbolizing his temporary vulnerability, while the brooding figure of Hamlet dominates the upper left, rendered in deep shadow. This dramatic arrangement emphasizes the internal struggle and moral crisis facing the protagonist, who hesitates to commit regicide while the victim is seemingly repentant.

This piece belongs to a larger Portfolio dedicated to the Danish prince, showcasing Delacroix’s masterful handling of the print medium and his fascination with melancholic heroes. As a French artist whose work greatly influenced later movements, Delacroix’s decision to repeatedly illustrate Shakespeare underscores the widespread cultural exchange of the era. The work is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key example of Romantic graphic arts. Although created nearly two centuries ago, the availability of high-quality prints of this influential image often facilitates access through public domain collections worldwide.