How old is the story of Hamlet?

The story of Hamlet is believed to have origins dating back to the pre-Christian era. Although the exact age of the tale is uncertain, it is widely believed to have originated from a Scandinavian legend or saga from the 6th to 8th centuries. The earliest known written version of the story is a Danish folk tale recorded by the chronicler Saxo Grammaticus in his work "Gesta Danorum" in the 12th century.

However, the most famous and well-known version of Hamlet is the play written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601. Shakespeare drew inspiration from earlier versions of the story, including a play titled "The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke," which was written by an anonymous author sometime before 1589.

Therefore, the story of Hamlet has been around for centuries, with its roots in Nordic folklore, and has undergone adaptations and variations throughout history, with Shakespeare's version being the most well-known today.