Hamlet

by Hamlet Shakespeare

To be confused with Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

This is not a drama in the traditional sense. This is a drama that takes place between words and language itself, in which Hamlet Shakespeare deconstructs his own version of Hamlet. Hamlet here is a mere word, lost in its own and externally imposed meanings that create the action, which starts, continues, and ends in an abstract scene representing life and everything beyond it is reflected in mirrors, green color, and endless dialogues that are not present, but are substituted by incessant speaking or just text and words, which create and undo themselves in the eyes of the reader.

Genres: Classics, Plays, Shakespeare, Fiction, Classic Literature, Drama, Theatre

177 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Bettie]

CELEBRITY DEATH MATCH REVIEW

HAMLET V JANE EYRE

From today's Telegraph:

A diary has been found by an eminent archaeologist working at the site of Thornfield Hall. This crumbling tome is purportedly written by a certain Mrs Rochester formerly known as Ophelia, and within those pages there is enough circumstance to shame most of today's adventure writers who can rarely be relied upon to conjure up such an exciting plot-line.

Fact is surely stranger than fiction.

Police in Denmark were notified and upon DNA testing it is found that the corpses of both Hamlet and Ophelia are impostors, backing up the diary pages (322-396) that describe bribing servants to dress up as doubles and then having them killed.

There is a remarkable tale (page 13) of a nightly shadow puppet show on the ramparts, in which the giggling Ophelia and her "darling Hammy Hamster" scared the night-watch half to death.



On page 27, Ophelia describes how she then went onto feign insanity and recalls just how much fun she had pulling that off after her virile lover killed that nagging old woman of a father, Penelope-onius. The writing on the page at the point where it is noted that her needlework on the wall-hanging was ruined in the process scores angrily deep into the parchment and is written over at least five times.



On page 53 there is a remarkable description of how Ophelia smuggled in a plush baby Cthulu into the coffin to denote a monster of the deep moat, and astoundingly enough there are the fetid scrag ends of that toy in the ground, next to the bones of the female servant. Ophelia notes that "me and Hammy Baby laughed down three bottles of red at the thought of that inspired joke."



King Fartingbrass aka HRH Shitting Pennies (see page 103) helped the couple across the sea to England where they took up residence at Thornfield Hall and employed a cook/bottle washer and then a feeble whelp named Jane Eyre as a Governess. Because of the risk of discovery, Ophelia kept herself hidden from prying eyes and then on page 178 there is the plot to kill off Jane Eyre and Ophelia's plan to impersonate her so she could go abroad into the world. "At least get down to the pub for a natter and a pint."

In England they contacted a jobbing writer, Willie by name, and paid him handsomely to re-write the history of Helsingör, which he did remarkably well because it is still being talked about today.

Towards the back of the book there is a very telling statement about Hamlet the man...

"No-one knew that my Hammy Hamlet was nothing whatsoever akin to this ham actor."

HAMLET ROOLZ!!

[MollyJane Ader · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a tragedy, I think the ending of Hamlet proved to be more tragic than other Shakespearean tragedies. The entire play was a back-and-forth to me, asking how much of the content (specifically that around Hamlet and his dialogue) was madness, and how much was exaggerated for a different purpose. Shakespeare, of course, is a great poet and great playwright, but the character Hamlet has to be one of my favorite characters that he has written. Snarkiness, intelligence, wit, a desire for truth. I think a lot of people would resonate with Hamlet more than they think.

[Sofía 7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque me gustó más Romeo y Julieta, he de decir que Hamlet también me ha encantado. Quizá me costó un poco más entrar en la historia pero la trama de locura, venganza, drama e intriga, te termina ganando.
En algún momento me lo intentaré leer en inglés porque creo que me he perdido ciertos matices que le aportan esa genialidad en la escritura que caracteriza a Shakespeare.

[femme · Rating 2 out of 5]

Creo que el teatro shakespeariano no es lo mío.

[PedroJMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

hostias pero si esto es un episodio de los simpsons!!

[dilelem]

how the hell am i supposed to write a paper on this...

summary(thus spoilers):

-melancoholic dude goes mad, attempts murder and drives his gf crazy
-random political shit happens
-seven pages for a play inside a play but we learn the deatils of what happened to mc via VERY short letters
-now everyone's mad and seeks revenge
-everyone is dead except for that one dude yes, one must live to tell the tale

i think im too stupid for any type of classical literature lol

[Kennah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will try to stay on-topic with my appreciation: "slay"

[Sain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well i read “hamlet” for my renaissance drama class , and i liked the story , the plot , and how at the end it shows each character’s strength

[Eduardo Azevedo Graça · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible feat of course. Intricate, interesting stories and iconic soliloquies. Meant to be performed as a play of course and not just read I feel like, but even still it’s incredibly beautiful.
Read throughout exam season when all my body was tired and aching which probably made it a bit harder than it had to be.

[Gillyz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite Shakespeare's story, but still tragic, poetic, and surrounded by complex emotions of grief, love, desire, and betrayal. I rooted for Hamlet, I was thirsty for justice just like him. However, I can see Hamlet goes insane, should I still trust his judgments or is it all within his head?

It reminded me of childhood days when I would watch Disney's The Lion King in my cousin's house. By reading Hamlet, I revisited the feeling of indignation and desire for justice, how evil is a man who kills his own brother to become king? And in this case, the murder marries the widow, what the hell?

I checked on internet and found out I didn't reinvent the wheel: was I the only one who didn't know the Lion King's plot was partly inspired on Hamlet?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fire low key

[Danny Gette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The angst of youth, faces the most of existential crisis's. This lost, tortured prince has one chance at revenge. Great read, even after several reads.

[Kelli Koger B) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"kust saame tänu?"
(osutab surnud kuningale)
"Mitte sellest suust"

this was chaotic

Ausalt, mulle ei meeldi lugeda näidendeid teksti vormis, sest need lihtsalt ei ole mõeldud selle jaoks. Ma saan aru, et see on klassika, aga ikkagi. Pool sellest näidendist jäi mul arusaamatuks, sest küll ma ei lugenud nimesid, küll oli seal pikk ühe mõtte heietamine ja ega see eestikeelne tõlge ei andud sellele teosele ka armu (eestikeelsed tõlked üldiselt luulest on minu meelest väga robustsed ja kõlavad ebaloomulikult). Kuid näidendina laval sooviks ma seda tõesti näha, sellel tükil on potensiaali veel mulle meeldima hakata.

Sisu oli suhteliselt okei, seal oli naljakaid hetki, oli õnnetuid, aga minul jäi see emotsioon saamata. Tavaliselt on näitleja see, kes teksti ellu äratab. Ma saan aru, et see on suureks klassikaks saanud, aga minu jaoks ei olnud see seda väärt. Kui ma poleks pidanud seda kirjanduseks läbi lugema, oleks see sinna samusesse jäänud.
I was this close, this close, to just reading a review of the book, but I powered through it.

[Mohsen Sharifi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon my initial encounter with Hamlet, I vividly recall being utterly captivated by its allure; I was wholly engrossed in the profound narrative and consumed it in a matter of mere hours. Numerous soliloquies of Hamlet have etched themselves into my memory, prompting deep contemplation. Following my perusal of this invaluable play, I arrived at the profound realization that affliction and torment are indissolubly intertwined with sentiments of ardor and unwavering allegiance, constituting integral components of the human experience.

Different individuals may derive diverse interpretations from this play, as each perspective intertwines with personal experiences. Undoubtedly, Shakespeare exemplifies unparalleled prowess as a writer and playwright, masterfully weaving the fabric of this entire theatrical opus. Words fail to encapsulate the profound significance inherent in this monumental work. Personally, it grieves me to dwell in a world where one does not have the opportunity to read this play at least once, and whenever circumstances allow, I seize every opportunity to engage in fervent discussions about its merits.

[Phanniy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenía mucha curiosidad sobre este libro, solo había leído Romeo y Julieta hace muchos años, y me gustó conocer la obra y no quedarme con la historia de forma superficial y sin tener todo el contexto, sabía que me pasaría lo mismo con Hamlet. Desde el año pasado mi propósito fue leer más clásicos, Hamlet me gustó pero me pasó algo similar que con Romeo y Julieta, me costó mucho al principio. Es curioso como la trama de Hamlet (la traición de un hermano quedarse con su legado) es algo que no parece novedoso en el presente y esto me pasa porque yo lo leí hasta este año, pero en su momento Hamlet fue algo sorprendente. También la razón por que lo leí es por todas las referencias que hasta el momento han mencionado con ts12, cuando salga el álbum quiero ver que es lo que encuentro yo, sobretodo en “the fate of ophelia” quería sacar mi propia conclusión y por eso decidí leerlo, me gustó.

[Viir · Rating 3 out of 5]

me gusto, bastante raro y complejo propio de Shakespeare. Tengo que admitir que me decidí por leerlo influenciada por la canción de Taylor me dió fomo y tuve que leerlo para analizar y sacar mis propias conclusiones jsjsj.
Es entretenido sobre todo en el tema de la locura o de fingir esa locura, te hace cuestionar y reflexionar que eso lo convierte en un libro clásico al final; creo que sí tengo sensaciones encontradas es porque todavía me resulta extraño leer teatro pero me gusta porque es una buena forma de lectura cuando estás muy ocupada además que tiene eso de querer terminarlo rápido porque el ritmo de lectura te lo exige también. Fue un buen final no esperaba que se mueran todos xd

[J. A. Littler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Shakespeare read, and I was captivated and engaged in all the beautiful ways I think Shakespeare intended. Hamlet is troubled and imperfect, yet he can entirely garner our sympathy, even if his actions prompt Ophelia's madness and demise. Laertes thought as much in his final minute of life. The frailty of life and the inconsistency of familial trust is dressed up in an awe-inspiring presentation few other works in history have ever rivaled.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intimidating at first, but watching the play before reading it makes it sooo much easier. No Fear Shakespeare is also a godsend, that way I was able to appreciate the original text while actually knowing what the fuck was going on. I love me a story about a slow descend into madness. Tragic, but also funny and witty, though I definitely missed a lot of jokes and references.

To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub:
For in that sleep of death what dream may come

[Abhishek Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I got introduced to the Bard of Avon by 'The comedy of errors' but 'Hamlet' stole my heart and I finally completed my resolution of watching it's India adaptation 'Haider' after reading it and I haven't gotten over it ever since.
I've read and read it so many times. This is one book which is always in my bag now. Such a masterpiece.

[Hana Arifovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its not bad, but its also not something that id read by my on will xD I mean its written nicely, i like the way the plot goes and i like how Shakespeare used a bit of fantasy here and there which was unexpected ngl.

[Sofia Bergström · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jag gillar verkligen Hamlet. Förutom att den utspelar sig i Helsingör (instant like) tycker jag att han är ganska rolig. ”Gå i kloster” är så kul. Och att hans hamartia är obeslutsamhet - också kul ju.

[GravesAndYearning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing is obviously good, but the ending does not leave me with that feeling of joy or satisfaction I crave for (this is the opinion of a person who does not mind sad endings) .

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

História envolvente com uma linguagem muito bonita. Shakespeare é realmente incrível.

[Julie Sedlacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read first, then reread and performed (three times) with senior English class. Loved the symbolism. Language is RICH. Messages so very relevant still today. Kids clamored for more!

[Arishe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una perfecta tragicomedia, Hamlet definitivamente un loco bastante cuerdo y un terrible desenlace para él, magnifico.

[Raquel]

Muy bueno

[Zarif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plan on rereading cuz I wanna read rosencratz and guildenstern are dead after

[Jason Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time the excellent Bristol old vic version with Billie Howle shown as part of the BBC Shakespeare celebration.

[Morena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leí la edición de la UNGS, muy buena

[Betsabé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustaron algunas escenas del libro y me encantó como Shakespeare puede construir personajes trastornados y cómo la venganza juega un rol importante en el desarrollo de la trama.