To be, or not to be: that is the question.

Whether it is nobler in the mind to endure the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take up arms against a sea of troubles and end them by opposing?

... and by a sleep to say we end the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that the flesh is heir to.

To sleep: perhaps to dream: yes, there's the rub. What dreams may come must give us pause.

To grunt and sweat under a weary life, but for the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns, which puzzles the will and makes us rather bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know not of?

Thus conscience makes cowards of us all. And thus the native hue of resolution is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, and enterprises of great pitch and moment, with this regard, their currents turn awry and lose the name of action.

Act III, Scene I

Hamlet... the confused human between thought and action.

After the murder of his father, he hesitates between his emotional nature and his philosophical thinking.

In a vain attempt to extend the period of inaction and delay revenge.

His feigning and showing madness is part of the suffering and psychological and moral pressures.

And finally, Shakespeare chooses action as a just and visible force to decide matters in reality.

And revenge here is part of justice.

Expanded version:

Hamlet is a complex and tormented character, the confused human who finds himself caught between the realms of thought and action. After the tragic murder of his father, he is plunged into a state of deep turmoil. He vacillates between his passionate and emotional nature, which yearns for immediate revenge, and his philosophical thinking, which makes him question the morality and consequences of such an act. In a seemingly futile attempt to prolong the period of inaction and delay the act of revenge, he resorts to feigning madness. This feigning is not just a ploy but also a manifestation of the intense suffering and the overwhelming psychological and moral pressures he is experiencing. However, as the story unfolds, Shakespeare ultimately presents action as a just and visible force that has the power to decide matters in the real world. In this context, revenge is seen as an integral part of justice, a means to right the wrongs that have been committed.

Updated review February 2017:

This is my third encounter with Hamlet, and like a fine wine that matures with time, my appreciation for it has deepened. I revisited the same copy that has been sitting on my shelf for years, with one page of notes on the left and the play on the right. This time around, I was able to breeze through most of the play without relying too much on the notes, which was an amazing feeling. I only had to glance over to decipher the meaning of some archaic words, and for the first time, I truly understood the story. It took me three attempts, with a little help from my trusty annotated copy, but I finally got it.

The beauty of Hamlet is simply captivating. I fell in love with it all over again. It seamlessly weaves through various genres, keeping me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages with anticipation. I read it slowly, savoring every word and phrase, breathing in the language and allowing myself to be immersed in the world of Shakespeare. At times, I even read it out loud, much to the annoyance of my wife who eventually made me quiet down. I tried to persuade her to play the female parts, but she wasn't quite into it. I guess her options were limited with only the roles of the Queen and Ophelia. Nevertheless, reading it slowly didn't make the experience any less enjoyable. In fact, it felt like time flew by as I became completely engrossed in the story.

Hamlet is a complex and multi-faceted character, and his journey through a gamut of emotions is truly a sight to behold. His monologues are nothing short of masterpieces of poetry. I wish I could commit them to memory and recite them randomly on a street corner or while shopping for groceries, much to the bewilderment of those around me. The famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy is just one of the many highlights of the play. I also loved the moments when the action went haywire and the plot took unexpected turns. The ending was both crazy and awesome, leaving me with a sense of awe and wonder. In short, Hamlet is a daggum fantastic story that everyone should give a try. If you're intimidated by the language, find a copy that simplifies and explains it. Trust me, it's worth it.

I've got Macbeth waiting on my shelf, and I think it might be time to dust it off and take another plunge into the world of Shakespeare. However, I need to be in the right mindset. I can't just be reading Shakespeare all the time. I have other "real" books to read too, with words that I can understand without the need for a dictionary. But for now, I'm content with my newfound love for Hamlet and look forward to exploring more of Shakespeare's works in the future.

Previous review:

I once asked a friend if he liked Shakespeare, and his response was, "I don't dislike Shakespeare." That's exactly how I feel about him too. In high school, I was forced to read Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar, and my thoughts on Shakespeare haven't changed much in the past 15 years. His stories are undoubtedly great, but the fact that they were written so long ago makes them a bit of a chore to read at times. I have the utmost respect for the guy, but he will never be my first choice (or second or third) when I'm looking for something new and exciting to read.

That being said, Hamlet was my favorite play to read through this time. Maybe it's because I'm older and more mature, or perhaps I'm just more open to the beauty of Shakespeare's language. Whatever the reason, I found the story to be truly captivating and was surprised by how many lines I recognized from my general knowledge of culture. Would I have ever read this if it wasn't for the group read in preparation for Infinite Jest? Probably not. But I'm glad I did, and it was a worthwhile experience that has given me a newfound appreciation for Shakespeare.

As this is a reread, and I can't remember now how many times I have read Hamlet, I could just silently move on to other reading.

But then I thought that I would like to bow to Horatio - the storyteller, the last man standing to tell the tale. Each time I read Hamlet, something else catches my unruly imagination. Setting out to find traces of systematic madness versus other madness (which in my world is what we call reality), I was sidetracked again and again by the brilliant sidekicks of the main actors.

Yorick, the man of infinite jest, whose skull is such a wonderful costume prop and artistic motive, is well worth his own book title. And he got it. The gravedigger, who digs himself deeper and deeper into the pun of lying, he deserves another review. But most of all, it is to Horatio that I bow this time. For he makes tragedy of the confusing deeds in the rotten state of Denmark.

He lives to tell the tale. So Horatio, this one's to you! Cheers, you mourning madmen. In England they wouldn't be able to tell you apart from other people. They're all mad there, you know. Same goes for Sweden. The rot has spread, and there are tales to tell everywhere.

There is something wrong in the state of humanity. And storytellers know how to ease the pain. They have the power to take us into different worlds, to make us feel the emotions of the characters, and to make us think about the deeper meaning of life. Storytellers like Horatio are the ones who keep the stories alive and pass them on to future generations. They are the ones who make us realize that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, and I, like Oscar the Grouch, find a strange allure in it. I have a profound love for Hamlet. He simply can't hold his tongue, is a moody bisexual to the extreme, and becomes all philosophical while desiring everyone to think he's losing his mind, thereby triggering a self-fulfilling prophecy of his mental health actually spiraling. Maybe I relate a bit too closely. But this play is truly remarkable and has endured as a classic for a reason, even if its characters don't survive the play. Additionally, who doesn't have a penchant for a good revenge story? Especially one that has become a staple plot and has led to great retellings such as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard or even The Lion King, and has so many elements that would later be revitalized as gothic tropes in literature and film.

This entire play is steeped in the interrogative mood, situating us in constant contemplation of 'what a piece of work is man' through a plethora of philosophical inquiries that range from sophism to existentialism. Of course, 'to be or not to be'—one of the most quoted and recognizable lines of the play—is often regarded as probing existentialist ideas long before Kierkegaard and Sartre would拿起 their pens. It opens the play up as an investigation of identity and purpose that is, arguably, very existentially thematic. Much of the play asks 'what is a man' but is also Hamlet asking "who am I?" of himself as he schemes and stumbles through the 'rotten' state of the world. He also seems to express ideas of relativism central to the Sophists in lines such as 'there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so', and this moral relativism, coupled with a thirst for revenge, adds a rather edgy and engaging texture to the narrative as it hurtles forward into destruction and death.

It is also a highly coveted role on the stage, and there is an incredible list of people who have played Hamlet. Peter O'Toole, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes, Richard Burton, David Tennant, Kenneth Branagh, Christopher Plummer, Daniel Day-Lewis, Alan Cumming, and many more. Even Ian McKellen played him in a recent age-blind cast production. Who wouldn't want to play Hamlet? But Ophelia as well, one of the more interesting characters who has certainly had a life of her own across literature.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet lives on, like many of his plays, for having a rather universal quality that appeals to the times regardless of when in history it is revisited or performed. Themes of being trapped by circumstance, themes of betrayal, themes of the in-fighting of the ruling class dooming a nation under them, and themes of struggling with identity continue to trouble people in every era, and Hamlet always offers an avenue for confronting these ideas. It is a fantastic play that stands out even in Shakespeare’s impressive canon of works.

**Are you hesitant to read Hamlet? You will regret it then!!**

We all loathe making choices and often strive to pass them on to others. Whether it's choosing this color or that, deciding between sleep and work, or pondering whether to read Hamlet or postpone it. The question of revenge or forgiveness, following the bright path or the dark one, and the age-old dilemma of "to be or not to be" all weigh heavily.

*That I, the son of a dear father murder'd, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell* - these words echo in our ears, yet we often blame ourselves for our inaction when it comes to taking our rights or those of our loved ones. Sadly, Hamlet represents each and every one of us who has the seed of goodness and justice within.
By the age of thirty, we all must choose. Will it be a life of purpose and action, or will we fall into the "not to be" category and exist in a state of zombified indecision until God decides our fate? Shakespeare truly believed that his art would remain immortal as long as there are eyes to see and ears to hear. The heavy language and old principles may initially frighten us, but they will ultimately draw us in.
A young, noble man questions virtue and despairs of the people, yet he remains determined to rebel against those who killed his father in order to achieve the justice he believes in and the virtue he aspires to, even against his will. But he is hesitant, and this hesitation is Hamlet's curse. "Thinking a lot about the possibilities of the situation leads to a paralysis in behavior," he summarizes his tragedy in one line. Isn't this our modern tragedy too? Who among us today doesn't feel Hamlet's confusion, pessimism, anxiety, and suppression? So, you will definitely find yourself reading or watching Hamlet someday.

Because the figure of Hamlet has so fascinated successive generations,

the play has provoked more discussion, more performances and more scholarship than any other in the whole history of world drama.

Hamlet is a complex and multi-faceted character, full of contradictions and inner struggles. His hesitation, doubt, and search for truth and meaning have made him an iconic figure in literature.

The play's exploration of themes such as revenge, madness, and the human condition has also contributed to its enduring popularity. It has been adapted and performed countless times in various forms, including stage productions, films, and operas.

Moreover, scholars have been studying Hamlet for centuries, analyzing its language, structure, and symbolism. Their research has deepened our understanding of the play and its significance in the history of drama.

In conclusion, the enduring fascination with Hamlet and the play's rich themes and complex character have made it a masterpiece of world drama that continues to inspire and engage audiences and scholars alike.

I feel like an heretic saying this, for since the first time I read this play I didn't like Hamlet much. And after this reread, it's still true. It's the story that fails to enthrall me, not so the characters, not the prose, not the stagecraft either.

The characters in Hamlet are indeed complex and well-developed. Hamlet himself is a tortured soul, filled with indecision and self-doubt. Ophelia is a tragic figure, driven to madness by the actions of those around her. The prose is beautiful, filled with vivid imagery and powerful language. And the stagecraft, if done well, can bring the play to life in a truly remarkable way.

However, for some reason, the story just doesn't grab me. Maybe it's because it's so well-known that I already know what's going to happen. Maybe it's because the themes of revenge and madness are a bit too dark for my taste. Or maybe it's just that I'm not in the right frame of mind to appreciate it. Whatever the reason, I can't help but feel that Hamlet is not the masterpiece that others seem to think it is.

Hamratio is a fascinating and complex aspect of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia, often referred to as Hamratio, adds a layer of depth and emotional turmoil to the story.

If you don't ship Hamratio did you even read the play???

Hamlet's actions and words towards Ophelia are often ambiguous, leaving the audience to question his true feelings. At times, he seems to love her deeply, while at other times, he appears to be cruel and dismissive. This complexity makes their relationship all the more interesting and engaging.

The development of Hamratio throughout the play is also值得探讨. From their initial courtship to the tragic events that follow, their relationship undergoes significant changes. These changes not only affect the characters themselves but also have a profound impact on the overall plot of the play.

In conclusion, Hamratio is an important and integral part of "Hamlet." Whether you ship it or not, it cannot be denied that their relationship adds a unique and captivating element to the story.

It is only when I engage in reading and comparing across languages that I truly come to the realisation of what an arduous and thankless task translation is. This is especially the case when dealing with older texts, and even more so when there is a significant cultural divide between the languages. Shakespeare's diction is so deeply poetic and idiomatic that it could almost be considered untranslatable. Even when it is rendered into modern English idiom, it loses its antique charm when meddled with, much like those monuments reconstructed from history that seem like the originals but are actually not.

And thus, reading Shakespeare in Urdu was bound to be a captivating experience. I highly praise Firaq Gorakhpuri's masterful skill in recreating Hamlet in an idiom that evokes the dying days of the classical dialect, while also incorporating sufficient modernist innovation to maintain its coherence. What's more, the translator refrained from using too many calques and direct borrowings, which would have been grating to my ears. I also appreciate that the translator did not deviate from the prose-poetry form of the original.

All things considered, this translation of Hamlet may well be regarded as one of the finest examples of how to translate classical English literature, not just Shakespeare, into a language that is rapidly losing translations from other cultures.

December '16

Hamlet was a Prince of Denmark, and Hamlet is a touchstone of our culture. His unhappy story has had an influence that is hard to overstate. It has shaped our sense of how to choose between right and wrong. Harold Bloom credited Shakespeare with “the invention of the human.” While I'm not sure I'd go that far, I do think Hamlet, with his long deliberations about what to do after his father's murder, haunts our way of thinking, just like the ghost of King Hamlet haunts Prince Hamlet in the play.

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark begins on a dark and uncertain note. The first words, “Who’s there?”, are spoken on the battlements of Elsinore Castle. A Danish soldier is relieved to be done with his cold and daunting watch. The play only gets darker and more uncertain from there. There have been sightings of a ghost that looks like the recently deceased King Hamlet. Horatio, Hamlet's friend, comes to the castle battlements. Amid a kingdom-wide atmosphere of fear, Horatio is anxious that the ghostly sightings might be a bad omen. The ghost appears but won't speak to Horatio. When morning comes and drives away the ghost, Horatio decides to tell Prince Hamlet what they've seen.

Meanwhile, Prince Hamlet has his own troubles. His uncle Claudius has taken over the kingship of Denmark and married his mother Gertrude, all shortly after King Hamlet's death. Hamlet bitterly describes Claudius as “A little more than kin and less than kind” and denounces Gertrude's hasty marriage. Hamlet, who has only seen his dead father in his mind's eye, goes with Horatio to see the ghost. The ghost tells Hamlet the truth: he was killed by Claudius. Claudius committed murder out of lust for power and for his brother's wife. The ghost tells Hamlet to seek revenge on Claudius but leave Gertrude alone.

Hamlet is understandably angry but keeps the ghost's secret. He tells Horatio that there are more things in heaven and earth than they know. By this point, viewers or readers are likely to agree with the Danish soldier Marcellus that “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” But the plot has much more to come. Hamlet is in love with Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius, the king's counselor. Ophelia is aware of the sexual double standard she faces. Polonius worries that Hamlet will seduce and abandon Ophelia and orders her not to see him anymore. With his world falling apart, Hamlet decides to pretend to be insane to investigate the ghost's accusation against Claudius. This pretense gives rise to the “Hamlet problem” of when he is truly insane and when he is just pretending.

Hamlet is surrounded by self-interested courtiers. His old school-fellows Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are happy to spy on him for Claudius. Polonius would push Ophelia at Hamlet for a royal match. The only person Hamlet can trust is Horatio. I am saddened by readings that say Hamlet's only problem is indecisiveness. The truth is more complex. Hamlet isn't indecisive enough. When he uses violence, it sets off a terrible chain of events. He accidentally kills Polonius, which drives Ophelia to madness and death and makes an enemy of Laertes. With Claudius aware of Hamlet's enmity, the play moves quickly to a bloody conclusion.

Hamlet has a complex and messy plot with lots of blood, violence, revenge, and death. But it stands out as a central text in Western literature and culture. In part, this may be because of the beauty of the language. Hamlet's soliloquies are some of the most memorable in literature. Another reason is that Hamlet is the most modern of Shakespeare's tragic heroes. He could live among us. He is a thoughtful individual who doesn't want to be involved in games of thrones. The real tragedy of Hamlet is that in fighting Claudius, he becomes like Claudius. He causes the deaths of six other characters, none of whom were involved in Claudius' murder of King Hamlet. This brief review doesn't do justice to the complexity of Hamlet. It may be the most important play in Western literature. I have read it dozens of times and it has much to do with who we are today. You should spend some time hearing what Hamlet has to say.

Hamlet is truly one of my all-time favorite pieces of literature. I have referred to it countless times and reread it often. Why?

It's not just because of the story. Yes, it is another brilliant play by the genius William Shakespeare. But more importantly, I have fallen in love with the numerous quotes, expressions, and profound statements that the book is filled with. These have become a part of our daily lives, used in common dialogue and as means of expression.

Hamlet is a play/book that has withstood the test of time and is one of the most quoted books in history. The magic lies in its ability to convey complex ideas with just a few words, while we might need a hundred words to explain the same thing. It is written so eloquently and succinctly, without any ambiguity.

My father taught me many of these phrases when I was growing up, and I used them in my daily life without realizing that they originated from Hamlet. So I keep a copy of Hamlet close to me, in memory of my father and because this book has found a special place in my heart. You have to connect with Shakespeare's language to truly enjoy it, but for me, Hamlet is a beautifully written masterpiece.

Some of my favorite quotes from Hamlet include: "this above all, to thine own self be true", "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.", "God hath given you one face, and you make yourself another.", "The lady doth protest too much, methinks.", "to be, or not to be: that is the question", "To die, to sleep - To sleep, perchance to dream".

Everyone should read Hamlet at least once. It may not be a long book, but its effects are long-lasting. It is a stunning piece of literature that continues to inspire and captivate readers.