Hamlet, you petulant brat!

Your actions and words often betray your immaturity and lack of self-control. You seem to lash out at those around you without much thought or consideration for the consequences. It's as if you believe the world revolves around you and your feelings.

But little do you know, your petulance is pushing people away. Friends and family who once cared for you are now growing tired of your outbursts. You need to learn to control your emotions and think before you speak or act.

Instead of being a petulant brat, try to be more understanding and empathetic. Put yourself in others' shoes and see things from their perspective. Only then will you be able to build stronger relationships and find true happiness.

So, Hamlet, it's time to grow up and leave your petulance behind.

The genius of Shakespeare lies in the fact that his text is so rich in poetry and ambiguity that it can be interpreted in diametrically opposed ways, often with good reason. TS Elliott considered it a hack job, while Coleridge saw it as a play about melancholy and inaction. Freud related it to the Oedipus complex, and AC Bradley saw a hero awakening to his fate.

I watched both the 1948 film version by Laurence Olivier (2h46) and the 1996 version by Kenneth Branagh (4h). Olivier emphasized the Freudian interpretation, while Branagh was more influenced by Bradley. I preferred Branagh's version for its relative faithfulness to the text, with a few minor exceptions.

Hamlet is like a porte-manteau, carrying all of our insecurities. He hesitates, not wanting to send Claudius to heaven during his prayer, but it turns out Claudius wasn't really praying. It takes him four acts to take action, but by then, it's too late to stop the march of fate.

Reading Hamlet as an adult is an extraordinary experience, full of intrigue and déjà vus. The staging, especially Branagh's use of mirrors, makes it feel very real. Although it may seem difficult for teenagers due to the Elizabethan language and culture, it's well worth the read.

In conclusion, Shakespeare's Hamlet is a masterpiece that continues to fascinate and inspire audiences centuries after it was written.

2023/48

The first encounter I had with Hamlet was during my childhood, around the age of 8, while watching a Disney movie. At that time, I knew nothing about the play. In a scene from Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan had to answer about the central conflicts in Hamlet. She gave an answer, but the teacher gave her an F. She was confused by the result, and that's all I could remember. After finishing the play recently, I was curious to know why she was wrong. So, I went to Disney Plus, found that scene, and listened to her response. To my surprise, she was right. The reason the teacher didn't approve her answer remains a mystery to me, as I didn't want to watch the whole movie again. But her answer was exactly what I needed at that moment. I read Hamlet, but to be honest, I'm not entirely sure if I really understood it, if that makes sense.

Ignoring the fact that I 'read' Romeo and Juliet over a decade ago, Hamlet is my first Shakespeare play that I read in its original English. I don't recall having any difficulties reading Romeo and Juliet back then, or struggling to understand the author's message. Maybe it was the translation that made it easier for me to follow the story, or perhaps it was because everyone knows how it ends (the ending, by the way, was beyond my expectations). Unfortunately, my experience with Hamlet was a bit different.
Although I enjoyed some parts of the story, I can't say I loved the book as a whole. I had to look up numerous words to understand what was happening. I not only came across different verb conjugations like thou, thee, thine, thy, etc., which were common back then, but also many archaic terms that made the reading experience quite overwhelming. I know that when it comes to Shakespeare, one needs to be mentally and physically prepared. I even had a headache after finishing Act 3, and it wasn't just because of the storyline. I can't imagine reading this in high school like those students in the movie, nor can I picture myself being tested on Shakespeare at that age (maybe I was just a lazy student). For example, reading Don Quijote in my Spanish class in high school would have been extremely boring, I assume, based on what other students usually say about it, considering my taste in books was different at that time.

That being said, I really liked Hamlet as a character. His character development was excellent, and his interactions with the other characters were accurate and palpable. The dialogue was also masterfully written, although I didn't understand some expressions, which I'm sure I'll get to grips with on my second read. Hamlet's monologue is, in my opinion, the best part of the play. It makes you feel as if you were in the castle, plotting to kill the king yourself.
The ending, well, it was rather laughable. I completely forgot that a similar thing happened in Romeo and Juliet, and at that time, it was surprising and even memorable (only speaking of the ending). But this time, despite the tragedy, I couldn't help but laugh at the way the play ended, abruptly and with a series of unfortunate events.
Anyway, I'm quite sure this won't be my last Shakespeare play. In fact, I'm looking forward to picking up the next one soon (but not this year, I'm not that crazy).

The other day, I was talking to a friend and told him that I read Hamlet and wanted to understand it better. He said he also read it a few years ago and saw two adaptations based on the story. I asked if he would recommend that I watch them too. Immediately, he said, 'Well, don't watch Mel Gibson's version.' When I asked why, he replied, 'It's not that bad. It's just that Hamlet in the movie is not the twink I imagined he was when I read the play.' Then, I just burst out laughing. We didn't need to explain anything else.

My rating on a scale of 1 to 5:

Quality of writing [4/5]
Pace [3/5]
Plot development [3.5/5]
Characters [4/5]
Enjoyability [3/5]
Insightfulness [5/5]
Ease of reading [2.5/5]
Photos/Illustrations [N/A]

Total [25/7] = 3.57

Hamlet indeed imparts a significant lesson to us all.

It's not just about keeping one's head down and engaging in light-hearted activities with friends at college and never returning home to avoid certain issues.

In all sincerity, Hamlet's constant inclination to wear black and his frequent monologues expressing how every decision seems overly difficult and that he feels like a mess are highly relatable.

His inner turmoil and the way he grapples with the complex web of emotions and decisions make him a character that many can identify with on a deep level.

This relatability is what makes Hamlet such a captivating and beloved character, and it also serves as a reminder that we all face similar struggles in our own lives, even if they may not be as extreme as those of the Danish prince.

We can learn from Hamlet's experiences and perhaps find some solace in the fact that we are not alone in our moments of confusion and self-doubt.

A Young Lawyer’s Guide to "Hamlet"

**Head Note**

In the state of Denmark, all is not well. Young Hamlet mourns his father's death and is deeply troubled by his mother Queen Gertrude's hasty marriage to King Claudius. Ophelia's brother Laertes warns her against falling for Hamlet, while her father Polonius fears she'll be hurt. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are tasked with investigating Hamlet's strange behavior, and Polonius believes it's due to his love for Ophelia. The ghost of Hamlet's father reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius and demands that Young Hamlet avenge his death, but not to harm Gertrude. Hamlet desires to kill Claudius, and Claudius, realizing his crime won't escape divine justice, fears Hamlet. Hamlet offends Claudius with lines in a play, and after the performance, Gertrude promises to leave Claudius. Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, who is hiding behind a tapestry, and then hides the body. Eventually, he tells Claudius where it is, and Claudius sends him to England so Laertes can avenge his father's death. Ophelia goes mad with grief and drowns, and Hamlet believes he loved her more than Laertes. Claudius accidentally kills Gertrude with poison meant for Hamlet. Hamlet fights Laertes, and Laertes stabs him with a poisoned sword. Before dying, Hamlet kills Laertes and Claudius with the same sword, and Horatio lives to tell Hamlet's story.

**Ratio Decidendi**

Some of the memorable lines from the play include: "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew." "This above all — to thine own self be true." "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." "The play's the thing, wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." "To be, or not to be — that is the question." "To sleep, perchance to dream — ay, there's the rub." "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." "Alas! Poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy." "There's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will." "Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." "The rest is silence."

**Judgment**

**Preface**

It is the custom of this Court to handle disputes among the citizens of the realm or actions between the Crown and criminals. However, in this case, it is impossible as all the main characters were in some way part of the Crown and now they are all dead. Any dispute among the parties has thus died with them. While the people await the coronation of a successor, it is the duty of this Court to conduct a coronial inquiry. The Court takes no pleasure in this etymological curiosity. Counsel assisting the inquiry quoted a passage from a soliloquy by Young Hamlet: "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them." We will never know the answer to this question as both Young Hamlet and his antagonist have perished in battle while taking arms against the troubles. Neither could nor would bear their ills. One wonders if either would reverse their actions if given a chance. They no longer sleep or dream. The protagonists have left this mortal life and are in an unknown place from which no one has returned. In their absence, they have escaped the jurisdiction of this Court. The Court can determine the truth but cannot administer justice.

**King Claudius**

The Court finds that Claudius did kill the former King Hamlet, but can only state this finding. Claudius will go unpunished in this world, except for the revenge taken by Young Hamlet, which may contain a hint of justice. The Court does not need to address the argument that the King's actions were immune from prosecution under the doctrine of Royal Prerogative.

**Young Hamlet**

In his pursuit of vengeance for his father's death, Young Hamlet has caused the deaths of Polonius and Laertes. In the case of Polonius, Counsel argued that it was a case of mistaken identity. However, the Court is not convinced. Hamlet did not mistake one person for another. Instead, he did not know the identity of the person behind the tapestry. While it is agreed that Hamlet thought it was Claudius and wrongly intended to commit regicide, the Court finds that he had no reasonable grounds to believe the victim was a specific person. Therefore, his mistake could not have been made in good faith. If you don't know, you can't claim your idea was wrong in your defense. By not uncovering the truth, you are responsible for your own error and its consequences.

**Laertes**

Counsel has a stronger argument, but it is ultimately unsuccessful, in the case of Laertes' death. Whether Hamlet acted in self-defense or under extreme provocation, the Court finds that Laertes intended to kill Hamlet and was successful. In the Court's opinion, Hamlet's response was not disproportionate to the danger he perceived. Laertes acted believing that Hamlet had intended to kill his father and sister. While it is true that both deaths were caused by Hamlet's actions, the Court has already found that Hamlet did not know the identity of Polonius. Therefore, Hamlet did no wrong to Laertes personally that would have justified or excused his killing. Laertes was motivated by revenge, pure and simple, albeit accompanied by grief. As for the argument that Laertes was acting on the instructions of King Claudius, the Court finds that such instructions had no legal force and Laertes should have disobeyed them to avoid the injustice. It doesn't matter that King Claudius might have taken Laertes' life. The Court finds that Ophelia's death was an accident. Young Hamlet was not directly responsible for her death. Therefore, Laertes could not use her death as a basis for any excuse or justification for his actions.

**Conclusion**

Counsel assisting the coronial inquiry began by stating that something is rotten in the State of Denmark. With all due respect, the Court finds this to be an understatement. The Court thanks Horatio for providing as many facts as possible about this tragic story. It is hoped that while justice remains constant, law and order will be restored by the coronation of a suitable successor. However, in expressing this wish, the Court is mindful of Horatio's wise and cautious advice that not every succession is a success.

**Citations**

**Film Adaptation**

Baz Luhrmann is preparing a modernized film version of the play after completing "The Great Gatsby". To avoid confusion between the two Hamlets, the King's son will be known by the stage name M.C. Hamster.

**Legal Citations**

Young lawyers interested in copyright issues may want to look into the case of Estate of William Shakespeare v. Anthony Hicks and Agatha Christie. This case involved Miss Christie's play "The Mousetrap", which had the same name as the play in "Hamlet". Mr Hicks suggested the name, prompting Mr Shakespeare's Estate to sue for copyright infringement. The defendants successfully argued that the play was in the public domain. Shakespeare's lawyers tried to claim that copyright still existed because the play had only been performed privately. The Times Law Reports mention that the Judge dismissed the Plaintiff's argument based on the evidence, casually remarking that the play had actually been performed worldwide. Apparently, there was a slight laugh in the courtroom, but the guards were unable to detain the person.

I want to make a confession:

I used to not like Hamlet at all among Shakespeare's works. I was a fan of Othello and Macbeth, but I really didn't like Hamlet and didn't understand why it was Shakespeare's most famous work.

All of this was until I heard that Benedict Cumberbatch was playing the role of Hamlet. I had previously seen the cinematic performance of Mel Gibson, and to be honest, it didn't help much for me to like Hamlet more. But Benedict Cumberbatch is a different story. I好不容易 found this performance, and: the无与伦比的 music, the无与伦比的 costume design, the无与伦比的 set design, the无与伦比的 lighting... but all of these were just secondary features. The core was: the无与伦比 performance.

It is Shakespeare's habit that he almost never writes the states of the characters and the tone of the dialogues, and leaves everything to the director and the actor. His words are all dry and lifeless, and a good director and actor are needed to give the right spirit to these words. Someone like Benedict Cumberbatch who, with a messianic breath, gives each word a distinct personality, a unique spirit, and adds facial expressions to the stage that, like the annotator of an old book, explains sentence by sentence how each sentence should be understood.

At the beginning of the film, I couldn't understand many of the dialogues because of Shakespeare's old language, and there was no subtitle. Because of this, I went to download the translation of "M.A. to Azzin" (who happens to be one of the translators whose translations I like). I opened the script next to the film and watched the film and read the translation at the same time, and in this way, Benedict Cumberbatch hand in hand with M.A. to Azzin, made Hamlet rise to the top position with twelve steps from the bottom of the list of my favorite plays.

And now I: a crazy and passionate fan of Hamlet!

According to reports,

Gillian Flynn is set to release a retelling of Hamlet as part of the Hogarth Shakespeare project in 2021.

This news immediately caught my attention and made me feel that it was the perfect time to reread this delightful Shakespeare play.

Hamlet is a masterpiece that has endured through the ages, captivating audiences with its complex characters, profound themes, and beautiful language.

Rereading it was an absolute joy, as I discovered new nuances and interpretations that I had missed before.

The story of Hamlet, the young prince of Denmark who is haunted by the ghost of his father and seeks revenge, is both tragic and compelling.

Shakespeare's portrayal of Hamlet's inner turmoil and his struggle with morality and duty is truly masterful.

As I delved deeper into the play, I was once again amazed by Shakespeare's genius and his ability to create such vivid and memorable characters.

I can't wait to see how Gillian Flynn will put her own spin on this classic story in her retelling.

A powerful meditation on the futility of life wrapped into a highly bloody revenge tale

There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

Well, this was a whole lot more substantial and led to profound thoughts about the message that William Shakespeare endeavors to convey compared to Romeo and Juliet which I read earlier this month. Hamlet attempts to exact revenge for the murder of his father in a story that initially bears a strong resemblance to a Greek tragedy. The example of Orestes by Euripides comes to mind, as the dead father holds supreme importance in the hierarchy of revenge.

There is also a tragic love story, with Ophelia's entire family essentially becoming collateral damage in the ploy to target uncle Claudius, who now occupies the Danish throne. Some elements did strike me as a bit fanciful, such as hiding behind rugs and the boat voyage with pirates and all. However, overall, there is a great deal of pure tragedy in the play, with only a rather minor character surviving in the end.

Nevertheless, in my opinion, the piece truly shines in two aspects. Firstly, the scene with the gravedigger, where Hamlet contemplates what the skull's owner might have aspired to during life. Secondly, in the ambiguity of Hamlet's own insanity. Our protagonist is far from being effective or clearly just "acting" insane. His revenge plot ultimately consumes everyone around him and manages to bring about a victory for the son of the king that Hamlet's father had defeated. It all feels completely pointless in a sense, yet in that very way, it adds depth to the play and casts doubt on who, if anyone, is the hero in this tale.

**In Praise of Folly!**

Hamlet's descent into madness is a complex and thought-provoking exploration. He wants to truly live in a counterfeit world, but seeing a Ghost has driven him to an antic state. When the counterfeit world labels us at our Coming of Age, it seems to win. We either conform or act weird like Hamlet or Dostoevsky's Underground Man.

What's wrong with Hamlet? Maybe nothing. In a loony tunes world, he might just be the only sane one. Freud and Eliot offer their interpretations, but our world is unjust and favors the phony. Hamlet is authentic, which makes him a tangled knot.

The Bard never resolved the tensions of the play, but that's what makes it great. We 18-year-olds in 1968 loved it because it spoke to our Coming of Age. We resisted the establishment in our own ways, like my friend Brian with his motorbike. I buried myself in existentialism, and my consciousness has remained aporetic.

I loved this play because it showed me how to find a peaceful hiatus. T.S. Eliot's words helped me see through myself. The key, for me, was in the Gospel's message of "resist not evil." Violence breeds more violence, and the solution to our pain is an outsider's authenticity. Its way of Fractured Peace may be best, even if it means personal martyrdom. For in the end, our unbalanced purgatory leads to Everlasting Peace.

Shakespeare at his best!

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in history. His works are a treasure trove of profound insights into human nature, complex characters, and beautiful language.

When Shakespeare is at his best, his plays come alive on the stage. The emotions of the characters are palpable, and the audience is drawn into the story, experiencing every joy, sorrow, and conflict along with them.

His use of language is simply masterful. The poetic dialogues, filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, add a layer of depth and beauty to the plays. Whether it's the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet or the political intrigues in Macbeth, Shakespeare's words have the power to move and inspire.

In conclusion, Shakespeare at his best is a sight to behold. His plays continue to be performed and studied around the world, a testament to their enduring popularity and significance.

Dear friends, undoubtedly many of you are familiar with this famous work or have read it.

Here is a very brief summary of this play for you.

Dear ones, is the son of the king of Denmark... The king is killed by his brother (Hamlet's uncle), and this murderous brother seizes the crown and throne of the king and even marries the king's wife, that is, his brother's wife.

Therefore, , after much hesitation and doubt, rises up for revenge and bloodlust for his father.

It can be interpreted in this way that: is in love with his mother and feels resentment towards his uncle who has taken his mother as his wife... , due to this love and unjust and unusual resentment, becomes confused and feels guilty, and for this reason, he abandons the decision he made for revenge and fails to achieve this revenge.

Some scholars and psychologists believe that the play is a reflection of the personality of "Edward de Vere", who may be the real .

"Edward de Vere"'s father dies in his childhood, and his mother quickly marries another man. Therefore, he has a conflict with his mother.

I hope you enjoy reading this literary work.

Be victorious and be Iranian.

Two years ago, when I got a ticket to the famous Hamlet on the fashion stage, I went without having time to read the book. Of course, I knew that Onur Ünsal, who brought Hamlet to life, had rewritten the play, and fortunately he did so. I loved the play so much that (I strongly recommend it to everyone who has the opportunity to go) I went again last year under the pretext of taking my friends from Ankara. I was afraid I would get bored, but on the contrary, it was also very nice to watch knowingly. Then, for the solo Hamlet by Bülent Emin Yarar, who played at the closed box office of the State Theaters, I got a ticket by standing at the box office door at 10 am, thirteen days before the play. This Hamlet was also very different and beautiful. Of course, I can't recommend this solo one to someone who hasn't read the book or at least hasn't seen another Hamlet, as it might be a bit confusing for you. This year, my goal was to read this book, but I couldn't make up our big challenge to the items no matter what, so I took it into my hand as soon as the challenge ended. Fortunately, I took it. Although there are some artificial places here and there in Sabahattin Eyüboğlu's translation, I give it to the difficulty of the poetry translator. Generally, it was wonderful. I want to read and memorize it many times. It is such a beautiful and rich work. And of course, I got a ticket to the Hamlet on the fashion stage again. Because there is something rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark and I can't get enough of watching this.