The Hamlet parallels in Ulysses lie lightly upon the text. As the hypothetical composition above demonstrates, Mulligan is highly unsuitable as a direct parallel to Hamlet’s friend Horatio. Although Stephen Dedalus’ inner struggle evokes strong intertextual relationships with Hamlet, many of the details of Stephen’s situation fail to resonate with the particulars of that play.

Shakespeare pervades Ulysses; he is the subject of quotation, allusion, and conversation throughout the book. He even makes a brief, though unsubstantial, appearance as a character late in "Circe." In light of this influence, it would seem reasonable to assume that Joyce has employed allusions to other plays that might yield parallels equally as interesting as those with Hamlet. Surprisingly, Joycean scholarship has investigated very little of Shakespearean influence beyond the theme of Stephen Dedalus as a character parallel to Hamlet. Even that analysis was largely completed by the end of the 1950s. I would broach the possibility that there may in fact be other approaches to Shakespeare in Ulysses by noting a few particulars of Stephen’s situation: His father isalivebut does not know him. He perceives the shortcomings of his father as symbolic of the moral corruption and political usurpation of his nation. His mother is dead and little remembered beyond her family. He has exiled himself from his family and lives among the low-lifes of Dublin. His entertainments are verbal contests, drinking, and enjoying the company of whores. His closest friend is as much his moral adversary as his companion. Stephen’s estimation of his abilities and his potential for the future are far beyond what the rest of the world would credit. Drawing on these qualities as grounds for a parallel from the Shakespearean oeuvre suggests a different substitution for the famous opening lines of Ulysses: