Not Just the Tudors Hamnet
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Jan 15, 2026 Maggie O'Farrell, a celebrated novelist known for her award-winning work 'Hamnet,' shares insights on transforming Shakespeare's life into captivating fiction. She discusses reframing Shakespeare's character and explores gaps in the historical narrative around his wife, Agnes Hathaway. Dr. Will Tosh offers a scholarly review of the film adaptation, emphasizing its focus on Agnes's grief rather than Shakespeare's legacy. Both guests delve into the emotional landscape, themes of motherhood, and how tragic loss might influence Shakespeare's writing.
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Name Link Suggests Deep Artistic Influence
- Maggie O'Farrell sees the name overlap Hamnet/Hamlet as a deliberate, meaningful link worth exploring.
- She argues the son's death likely shaped Shakespeare's art and deserves central attention.
Long Gestation And Author's Vertigo
- Maggie O'Farrell delayed writing Hamnet for years and felt vertigo about fictionalising Shakespeare.
- She describes circling the idea long before committing to the novel.
Removing The Name Rehumanises Shakespeare
- O'Farrell removes Shakespeare's name in the novel to avoid iconic distraction and invite human empathy.
- She uses naming choices to reframe how readers view historical figures.
