Book 42 - Shakespeare "Hamlet"

[jazzy_dave]

William Shakespeare "Hamlet" (Cambridge U.P)




This is, I believe, my absolute favorite of Shakespeare's tragedies. Primarily because Hamlet is a thinker throughout most of the play. When we first meet him, he is thinking of the inevitability of death and the loss of his father. Then he is tasked to dispatch his uncle when he learns from his father's ghost that Claudius poisoned him for his crown, and he spends the rest of the story considering the logistics of actually doing the deed.

Many of my favorite Shakespeare lines also come from Hamlet, not only the brilliant soliloquies, but also little bits like "sweets for the sweet," and "goodnight, sweet prince." Also, Hamlet provided the inspiration for one of my favorite modern plays, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" by Tom Stoppard.

This particular edition also includes a series of essays on the play and Shakespeare's writing, my favorite of which is an in-depth look at Gertrude by Carolyn Heilbrun in a piece titled "The Character of Hamlet's Mother." It also ends with a look at Hamlet on stage and screen, breaking down the various and varied performances of Hamlet through the years, ending with the Laurence Olivier film version (fitting since that is what inspired me to read the play in the first place and re-read it due to David Tennant's immaculate handling this time around).

Comments

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

I wish I'd studied Hamlet in school. I think it might be Shakespeare's greatest play. I have read it, of course, but that's not the same thing.

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

This is my all-time favorite Shakespeare, period. There is just something very poignant about the whole story. Sounds like a fabulous book.

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

I'm quite fond of R&G Are Dead, it would definitely be on my Desert Island list. MANY layers to that movie, I get something new every time I watch it.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

I think I acted in a sequel to Hamlet.
It was written by the director. It was called Fortinbras. I think that is the spelling.
I played Osric, an all around good guy that was kind of at the mercy of most of everybody else.
I think some of the funniest stuff came at the beginning when it was opened with a "10 Minute" Hamlet. lol...
Hugs, Jon

[rolypolypony.livejournal.com]

R&G Are Dead is my absolute favorite play ever, so it's little surprise that Hamlet is also my fave Shakespeare play :)

[lisa-thecat.livejournal.com]

Hamlet is my favorite of Shakespeare's play as well. I couldn't help but identify with Hamlet, a thinker and a doubter, forced by circumstances into action that he is not particularly good at. I have seen the play once on stage and many televised and movie versions.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Exactly. The reason why this is my fave.

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

A big yes to both Hamlet as favourite Shakespeare play, and Stoppard as well. Although, Branagh forever ;)