A prestigious UK university has sparked controversy after slapping a trigger warning on Shakespeare's Hamlet, cautioning students about 'coercive behaviour' depicted in the centuries-old tragedy.
The warning, issued by the University of Oxford, alerts students to 'scenes of emotional manipulation and psychological control' within the play. Critics have lambasted the move as excessive, arguing it undermines the educational value of classical literature.
What Does the Warning Say?
The advisory states: 'This play contains depictions of coercive control and emotional abuse that some may find distressing. Support services are available for affected students.'
Specific scenes flagged include Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia and his manipulation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Academic Backlash
Prominent scholars have condemned the decision:
- Professor John Sutherland (UCL): 'This is literary censorship disguised as welfare'
- Dame Janet Suzman (RSC): 'Shakespeare wrote about human nature - we can't sanitise history'
- Sir Antony Sher (RSC): 'Warnings belong on bleach bottles, not great art'
University's Defence
Oxford officials maintain the warning is part of their duty of care to students:
'We're not censoring the text, merely providing context. Many students have personal experiences with coercive control, and we want them to engage with challenging material in a supported way.'
The controversy comes amid growing debates about trigger warnings in academia, with some institutions applying them to Greek mythology and Victorian novels.
