By the Most Esteem'd Bard and Playwright William Shakespeare
...
Guess what? I was going to write this entire review in Olde English, but decided not to at the last minute. You're welcome, and there's my random act of kindness for the day.
Now to business.
Hamlet is awesome. Hamlet is funny. Hamlet is tragic. Hamlet's sanity is questionable.
Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet. He's ticked off for any number of reasons, but mainly because Gertrude married his uncle Claudius far too soon after his dad's funeral, because his dad's ghost keeps showing up demanding revenge and stuff, and because everyone in the castle is determined to spy on him. This is Shakespeare, so some people go crazy, some people act crazy, and some people get stabbed. I'm not sure I dare attempt any more analysis than that, but here's why I like it...
I can't claim to have read more than five or six Shakespeare plays (working on that), but of those I have read this is by far my favorite. The plot is complex for a play; false friendship and true love mingling with murder, deception, and political upheaval, but all these layers work together to form a compelling story line. The characters are interesting and multi-sided, their relationships, plots and counter-plots well developed. The complexity of the play nevertheless leaves room for varied interpretations. And above all, there is Shakespearean sarcasm. <3
Lastly, I have a really hard time not quoting this play to everyone I know.
Guess what? I was going to write this entire review in Olde English, but decided not to at the last minute. You're welcome, and there's my random act of kindness for the day.
Now to business.
Hamlet is awesome. Hamlet is funny. Hamlet is tragic. Hamlet's sanity is questionable.
Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet. He's ticked off for any number of reasons, but mainly because Gertrude married his uncle Claudius far too soon after his dad's funeral, because his dad's ghost keeps showing up demanding revenge and stuff, and because everyone in the castle is determined to spy on him. This is Shakespeare, so some people go crazy, some people act crazy, and some people get stabbed. I'm not sure I dare attempt any more analysis than that, but here's why I like it...
I can't claim to have read more than five or six Shakespeare plays (working on that), but of those I have read this is by far my favorite. The plot is complex for a play; false friendship and true love mingling with murder, deception, and political upheaval, but all these layers work together to form a compelling story line. The characters are interesting and multi-sided, their relationships, plots and counter-plots well developed. The complexity of the play nevertheless leaves room for varied interpretations. And above all, there is Shakespearean sarcasm. <3
Lastly, I have a really hard time not quoting this play to everyone I know.
"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy"
Words, words, words.
I refuse to attempt any scholarly commentary on the themes of Hamlet, but you can borrow my copy.
for: Shakespeare and David Tennant fans
Content rating: 3/5 Murder, incest, unfaithfulness, hatred and revenge, deception, poisoning, suicidal themes...you know. Shakespeare.
My enjoyment: 5/5 'Tis a knavish piece of work, but what of that?
for: Shakespeare and David Tennant fans
Content rating: 3/5 Murder, incest, unfaithfulness, hatred and revenge, deception, poisoning, suicidal themes...you know. Shakespeare.
My enjoyment: 5/5 'Tis a knavish piece of work, but what of that?
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