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Hamlet

William Shakespeare

4.02(995133 readers)
Hamlet is Shakespeare's most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a “revenge tragedy,” in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties.

Among them: What is the Ghost—Hamlet's father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder?

The authoritative edition of Hamlet from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, is now available as an eBook. Features include:

· The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference
· Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation
· Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
· Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
· Scene-by-scene plot summaries
· A key to famous lines and phrases
· An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language
· Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books
· An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play

Publisher

Simon Schuster

Publication Date

8/23/2011

ISBN

9781439117026

Pages

400

Categories

Literature

About the Author

Portrait of author William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Questions & Answers

The New Folger Edition of Shakespeare's plays, including "Hamlet," incorporates textual scholarship by using the best early printed versions of each play, providing accurate texts in modern spelling and punctuation. It includes scene-by-scene action summaries, explanatory notes, and illustrations to clarify Shakespeare's language. This edition also highlights significant textual differences from early printed versions, allowing readers to understand the evolution of the text over time. This approach signifies that the ongoing legacy and interpretation of Shakespeare's plays are dynamic, reflecting contemporary understanding and scholarly research, while preserving the original text's integrity and accessibility for modern audiences.

The book addresses the complexities of Shakespeare's language by providing a comprehensive guide to understanding his plays, particularly "Hamlet." It acknowledges the challenges of reading Shakespeare due to the differences in language and life over four centuries. To help modern readers, it offers strategies such as:

  1. Explanatory Notes: Providing definitions and explanations for archaic words and phrases, helping readers understand Shakespeare's vocabulary.
  2. Modernization: Updating punctuation and spelling to make the text more accessible.
  3. Reading Shakespeare's Language: A section that teaches readers how to understand Elizabethan poetic language and recognize poetic devices like wordplay and metaphors.
  4. Implied Stage Action: Encouraging readers to imagine the play's action and movement, enhancing engagement with the text.
  5. Commentary: Offering insights into the play's themes, characters, and historical context, aiding comprehension.

By combining these strategies, the book empowers readers to engage deeply with Shakespeare's language and wordplay, making the plays more accessible and enjoyable.

"Hamlet" explores themes of revenge, ethical dilemmas, and trust in a complex web of deceit and appearances. The play's central revenge plot is shadowed by ethical questions, as Hamlet struggles with the morality of taking justice into his own hands. The nature of trust is questioned when characters like Polonius and Claudius manipulate and spy on others, revealing a world where trust is scarce and appearances can be deceiving.

The play's relevance to contemporary audiences lies in its timeless exploration of these themes. In a world where information is manipulated and privacy is eroded, "Hamlet" resonates with modern concerns about surveillance and the authenticity of communication. The play's focus on the internal conflict and moral ambiguity of its characters makes it a mirror for contemporary ethical dilemmas, such as the balance between justice and retribution, and the complexities of trust in a world where "all are 'actions that a man might play'."

The book provides insights into Shakespeare's life, education, and the theatrical context, which significantly influence the understanding and interpretation of his plays, including "Hamlet."

Shakespeare's education likely included Latin grammar and literature, which he may have learned at the King's New School in Stratford-upon-Avon. His knowledge of Latin classics and the English language, as well as his experience in London's theater world, shaped his writing. His plays reflect his wide reading and mastery of language, often incorporating wordplay, puns, and metaphors.

The theatrical context of Shakespeare's time was diverse, with performances in various locations, including courts, universities, and private houses. The rise of the Globe Theater and other playhouses provided a platform for his plays. The book also discusses the publication of Shakespeare's plays, including the First Folio, which was crucial for preserving his works.

Understanding these factors helps us appreciate the depth of Shakespeare's work. His plays, like "Hamlet," are rich in symbolism, complex characters, and intricate language, reflecting the social, political, and cultural landscape of his era. The knowledge of his education and the theatrical context allows us to better understand the nuances of his characters, the themes of his plays, and the impact of his work on modern audiences.

The Folger Shakespeare Library, a leading center for Renaissance studies and Shakespeare's works, significantly contributes to scholarly understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's plays through its vast collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork. It offers resources such as:

  1. Textual Resources: The Folger's texts are based on the best early printed versions, with textual notes explaining variations and departures from early printed versions.
  2. Explanatory Notes: These help modern readers understand Shakespeare's language and context.
  3. Commentary: Expert analysis of the plays, including "Modern Perspectives" by scholars.
  4. Educational Programs: Workshops, lectures, and online resources for students and teachers.
  5. Archival Collections: Access to primary sources, including manuscripts and artwork, for in-depth research.
  6. Public Programs: Events and exhibitions that engage the public with Shakespeare's works.

The library's extensive resources and commitment to scholarly excellence make it a crucial resource for understanding and enjoying Shakespeare's plays.

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