“To be or not to be, that is the question.” (Act 3, Scene 1.) This famous phrase was spoken by Hamlet as he contemplated the nature of life and death. This five-act tragedy explores themes of friendship, anger, and revenge. With the original text right alongside a modern translation, you’ll understand exactly what Shakespeare intended! 374 pages, paperback. ~Nancie
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?
An absolute gem for 21st century Shakespeare readers! 400 years have brought many changes to life and language…some words are no longer used while others have completely different meanings. These books allow you to enjoy Shakespeare plays without the headache of deciphering so much! Clear, easy-to-understand notes, definitions, and summaries help readers to understand antiquated words and phrases, as well as cultural context and nuances of the characters and story. I love the side-by-side layout. Each page of the play script is adjacent to a page featuring explanations, scene-by-scene plot summaries, and illustrations of the scenes from rare books. So what are you waiting for?! Get ready to dig into Hamlet, Julius Caesar, MacBeth, or Romeo & Juliet! ~Nancie
summer practice/review