Jonathan O'Neill’s Reviews > Hamlet: Revised Edition > Status Update
Jonathan O'Neill
is 26% done
The finale to Prokofiev's 'Hamlet, Op.77', 'Fortinbras' Final March'... Wow! It's sublime, assertive, heroic and cathartic in a sweeping, cleansing way. However, it's also devastating with a sense of mourning and a subtly nagging ominousness beneath the surface. Bravo, Prokofiev! Bravo!
— Aug 27, 2026 07:48PM
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Jonathan O'Neill
is 25% done
POLONIUS
'[I know] in part him, but', you may say, 'not well.
But if't be he I mean he's very wild,
Addicted so and so', and there put on him
What forgeries you please. Marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him – take heed of that –
But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty
REYNALDO
As gaming, my lord?
[...cont]
— Aug 27, 2026 07:10AM
'[I know] in part him, but', you may say, 'not well.
But if't be he I mean he's very wild,
Addicted so and so', and there put on him
What forgeries you please. Marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him – take heed of that –
But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty
REYNALDO
As gaming, my lord?
[...cont]
Jonathan O'Neill
is 16% done
I feel like every one of Polonius' lines are quotable and want to commit them all to memory! Here's one I could use on my own daughters one day when warning of the affectations of those treacherous young men:
POLONIUS
...
Do you believe [Hamlet's] 'tenders', as you call them?
OPHELIA
I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
POLONIUS
Marry, I will teach you; think yourself a baby
[cont.]
— Aug 24, 2026 12:01AM
POLONIUS
...
Do you believe [Hamlet's] 'tenders', as you call them?
OPHELIA
I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
POLONIUS
Marry, I will teach you; think yourself a baby
[cont.]
Jonathan O'Neill
is 8% done
HAMLET
Ay, madam, [death] is common.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee?
HAMLET
'Seems', madam — nay it is, I know not 'seems'.
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, cold mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,
[...]
— Aug 21, 2026 07:15AM
Ay, madam, [death] is common.
QUEEN GERTRUDE
If it be,
Why seems it so particular with thee?
HAMLET
'Seems', madam — nay it is, I know not 'seems'.
'Tis not alone my inky cloak, cold mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,
[...]
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Never mind--I think I found it. You mentioned "sweeping," and I knew exactly what you meant when I heard it. You just took me back--reminded me of my little son, listening to "Peter and the Wolf" over and over again.
Julie wrote: "Never mind--I think I found it. You mentioned "sweeping," and I knew exactly what you meant when I heard it. You just took me back--reminded me of my little son, listening to "Peter and the Wolf" o..."Great, Jules! I think that first one you mentioned is a piano arrangement of another one of the movements.
Prokofiev as a young boy! See, that's why he turned out to be such a fine musician. Michael Jackson was my obsession as a boy! 😁
So… you’re reading a classic from Shakespeare and listening to some exciting music of the same name. Impressive. Enjoy. CB
Yeah, Col! I'm trying to cover Hamlet from all angles. Some big guns have written music for this one; Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Liszt, Berlioz...! Berlioz and Prokofiev are my favourite so far. Part way through the Branagh Film too :)
Is this the same as "Gavotte from Hamlet, Op 77 bis?" That's the only one I'm finding in a search.