To be or not to be...\\", that is not my favorite line. My favorite is: \\"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times.\\"

It's that recollection of innocent days that gets me every time. You see, Hamlet is being swept up in a vortex of innocence lost.

STUPID ADULTS! They screw up everything! I grew up in a truly idyllic setting. As childhoods go, mine was a joy. But then you grow up and you wake up to reality.

My introduction to Hamlet came during high school in my early teen years. Its murderous plot of family deceit and infidelity struck home. My family was likewise stricken with such maladies. The parallels were all too similar, and I love/hated the play for driving it all home.

Mel Gibson's movie version came out at this time. Its over-simplification and emotional heightening was a perfect fit for a simple-minded, emotionally-blinded teen. Although less than stellar, the movie nonetheless had its effect upon me, furthering the torment.

Luckily, my family drama was not as murdery as Hamlet's. However, if the personalities of some of the principle players were slightly more volatile, there could easily have been a bloodbath of Hamlet-esque proportions. In my reality, we all got over it, sorted it out, and moved on with our lives wherever they led.

The beauty of fiction is to see the deepest of fantasies played out. It gives us - I hesitate to use the melodramatic \\"victims\\" here, but that is essentially what we amount to - it gives us release from the pent up anger when we see the wrong-doers get their comeuppance.

For that reason, I doubt I'll ever be able to view this work through a truly unbiased, critical lens. Just because it's a \\"classic\\" doesn't mean you have to adorn it with a 5-star laurel wreath, but - for what it means to me - I do.

I have a rather interesting theory. If a character's name happens to be the title of a Shakespeare play, then there is a high probability that he or she is going to meet an untimely end.

Take Hamlet, for example. He is not only a misogynistic character but also an emo asshole.

Now, let me proceed to ruin your childhood.

This theory might seem a bit far-fetched at first, but when you start looking at the plays closely, you'll notice some patterns.

Shakespeare often uses the character's name as a way to foreshadow their fate.

It's like a hidden clue that only becomes clear as the story unfolds.

Of course, this is just my theory, and there may be some exceptions.

But it's still fun to think about and explore.

Maybe you'll start seeing these connections in Shakespeare's plays too.

Who knows what other hidden meanings and secrets lie within his works?

It's all part of the magic and mystery of Shakespeare.

Re-read 9/9/18. Still probably the best thing ever written.

Last New Year's Eve, I was the designated driver for my friends. After they celebrated with champagne, I drove them home, making many stops. By 1:30 am, I was a block from my home when another vehicle veered into my lane, blinding me with bright lights. I swerved and hit a parked car. My car and the other one were totaled. I had a broken hand and foot from the airbag and impact. The drunk driver who caused it all drove off in his white Honda Pilot with a smiley face bumper sticker. One block from my house, damn it.

I was extremely pissed. This street is not a through-street, and most people on it live in the neighborhood. Once I could move again, I was obsessed with finding the asshole. I drove around looking for the SUV. I had fantasies of smashing it with my rental car and then hurting the driver. But as I thought about it more, my revenge fantasies got grander. Torches, snakes, and poison were all part of it at some point.

A few weeks later, I saw the white Honda Pilot in a driveway a few streets away. I pulled over and thought about my revenge plots for a long time. But then I drove home. Because revenge is complicated. I could have hurt myself or someone else. My car insurance would have gone up even more. And God wouldn't have been happy with me. I just couldn't do it.

And that's Hamlet in a nutshell. Shakespeare turned the revenge play upside down. Hamlet, the young man seeking revenge, can't bring himself to do it. He knows it's expected, but he also knows religion opposes it and could put his soul in jeopardy. So he convinces himself he needs more proof. When he gets it, he talks himself out of revenge when he has the perfect opportunity. He overthinks everything, even the fact that he overthinks. He doesn't know what to do because he realizes everyone is a liar and hiding something. He's like me, driving around looking for the white Honda Pilot.

In the graveyard scene, Hamlet finally gets it. Whether he takes revenge or not, the outcome is eventual death. Death is coming for all of us. We all need loyal friends like Horatio. Hamlet is about the complexities of the human personality, the internal struggles, and the search for meaning. It's not about a conflict between people; it's about the conflicts within ourselves. That's why it's considered the best thing ever written. It's about being one person in public and another in private. It's about finding out who we can trust. It's about that search for the white Honda Pilot that keeps us up at night wondering if we're doing the right thing. After all these years, Hamlet is still relatable. He's all of us on any given day, maybe even every day.

“Madness in great ones must not unwatch’d go.”

I find myself at a loss for words when it comes to Hamlet. I could expound upon how it is a tale of madness and revenge. I could discuss the ties of family loyalty, the sacrifices of love, the betrayals of trust and their harmful impacts on the psyche. However, this is all old hat - Hamlet has been around for over four hundred years. What could I possibly add that hasn't already been said?

When my wife noticed I was reading Shakespeare, her snide comment was something along the lines of, “What are you reading that for? Don't you have enough drama in your life?” Thanks, Cristina. And yes, I suppose I do, but so what? Drama can be an absolute blast. There's a reason it sells, a reason there are countless dramatic TV shows on the air, and countless box office films released each year recycling the same old dramatic storylines (some with great success; others, not so much). And there's a reason people are still reading Shakespeare centuries after his death: his works are fun, witty, and oh so dramatic.

Hamlet is no different. With plot elements including fratricide, deadly potions, mistaken identity, forgery of letters, espionage, and treachery, along with a healthy dose of hanging out with the ghosts of deceased relatives, one might think I'm reviewing an episode of General Hospital. But what is Hamlet if not a soap opera for the Elizabethans? It's an epic tragic disaster crammed into five short acts.

What makes this piece of drama so timeless, though, is that its action is perfectly complemented by its portrayal of character. We all know what Prince Hamlet is going to do before he does it. Hamlet himself, even while doubting his abilities and grappling with his resolve, knows how it's all going to play out. Why else would he be so cruel to Ophelia? And yet it's this internal turmoil that keeps us engaged in the action. It may seem like an ordinary disaster on the surface, but upon closer examination, it's a disaster in which we have a vested interest in the conductors and engineers.

So, witty dialogue meets fast-paced drama meets profound character introspection? It almost makes me wonder what would have become of Luke and Laura if William Shakespeare had been in charge of the script.

There is something rotten in the state of Denmark...

I have a rather unique perspective on Shakespeare's "Hamlet." I like the fact that by the end of the play, pretty much everybody is dead. The political and personal entanglements in the story are so intricately interwoven that it seems impossible for anyone to escape unscathed.

As it often happens, I went to the local theatre with the entire year group studying English Literature to watch the play. When the line was spoken that Hamlet would be sent to England and that since everybody there was mad anyway, he'd fit in unrecognized, the theatre audience, much to my surprise, erupted in laughter. This reaction, I felt, truly demonstrated the truth of the play's proposition. It shows how Shakespeare's works have the power to touch on universal themes and evoke a wide range of emotions in the audience.

The play's exploration of themes such as revenge, madness, and the corrupting influence of power is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. It makes us question our own values and the choices we make in life. "Hamlet" is not just a play; it is a profound and thought-provoking piece of art that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

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Quick reread before The Steep and Thorny Way (retelling WOOT!)

I'm about to embark on a quick reread of The Steep and Thorny Way. I'm really excited about this retelling. As I prepare to dive back into the story, a question pops into my mind. Question: Is it really as crazy as I remember or am I delusional? I'm not sure if my memory has exaggerated the wildness of the plot. But I'm eager to find out.

Here's a picture related to the book

After some thought, I come to a conclusion. Answer: Oh okay. Never mind. I guess I'll just have to read the book and see for myself. By the way, the 4th picture makes me laugh way too much for my own good. Oops. I can't wait to get started on this reread and rediscover all the crazy and wonderful things in The Steep and Thorny Way.

And there is another silence....

In my opinion, one of the best sentences for a tombstone....

Silence often holds a profound meaning, especially in the context of a tombstone. It can signify the end of a life's journey, the cessation of worldly activities, and the beginning of an eternal rest. The phrase "And there is another silence" evokes a sense of mystery and solemnity, as if there are hidden emotions and stories beneath the surface of that silence.

"In my opinion, one of the best sentences for a tombstone" implies that the writer has given thought to what would be an appropriate and meaningful inscription. A tombstone sentence should capture the essence of the person who has passed away, their character, their achievements, or their impact on others. It should be a lasting tribute that will be remembered by those who visit the grave.

Perhaps the best sentence for a tombstone is one that is simple yet powerful, one that can touch the hearts of those who read it and bring a sense of peace and closure. It could be a quote from a favorite book, a song lyric, or a personal message from the deceased to their loved ones. Whatever it may be, it should be a reflection of the person's life and a testament to their memory.

The world is full of mysteries that our philosophy can't even dream of, as Horace said. You surely don't expect me to tell you what this work is and whether one should read it. Maybe because the concept of "should" doesn't quite apply to this art and generally to pleasures. Of course, neither one reading, nor a second one, can reveal all the juices of this text, its incredibly modern character that inaugurates a new era of thought and a new spirit to live and move in. No. Hamlet is a text of slow recurrence, one that you change forever, that you return to in different phases of life, looking at it with the same eyes but different minds.

I would like to copy the excerpts of Hamlet into a notebook until I memorize them, but that has already somewhat happened.

And what is man, what is he worth, if his time on earth is just for eating and sleeping? Nothing, just an animal. That's all. And He who formed us with a mind so broad that it can see both the past and the future surely didn't give us this divine ability of speech to rot slowly within us. So what's the problem? The forgetfulness of the animal or some cowardly hesitation of a thought so long ago so careful, so subtle that if you cut it into four, one fourth of it would be wisdom and the other three fourths cowardice? Whatever it is, I don't understand why I should still live to say "this must be done" when I have the reason, the will, the power and the means to do it?

Greatness surely isn't fighting alone when you have a great reason. But finding a great reason to fight for, even for a nothing, for a shadow, when the prize is your honor.

I deliberately chose the translation of Dionysios Kapsalis, comparing excerpts of the text with also very good attempts of other translators. But this one finally won me over.

«For nature, and the world, Horace, are made of things that our philosophy cannot even dream of».

**"The Indecision of Hamlet: A Reflection"**

Hamlet is a play that has intrigued audiences for centuries. We all often face choices in life, just like Hamlet. We may choose one color over another, decide to sleep or work, and wonder whether to read Hamlet now or later. Do we seek revenge or forgive? And most importantly, do we take the bright path or the dark one? To be or not to be?

Hamlet's story is one of great tragedy. His hesitation and overthinking about avenging his father's death led to his downfall. How many of us have also heard those words within us, scolding ourselves for neglecting our rights or the rights of those we love?

Unfortunately, Hamlet represents all of us who have a spark of goodness and justice within. By the time we reach thirty, each of us will have to make choices. Will we be among the favored ones, or not? And in the end, when our time comes, we may not be faced with Hamlet's question, but we will have to live with the decisions we made.

Shakespeare's words are indeed powerful. They may frighten us with their weight, but they also draw us in. Hamlet is a noble youth with a big heart, yet life has dealt him a cruel hand. He doubts virtue and despairs of people, but still demands justice for his father's murder.

However, it is his indecision that is his downfall. The overthinking of the possible outcomes of a situation leads to hesitation in action. Isn't this true of all our tragedies? And who among us today does not feel Hamlet's confusion and turmoil?

So, it is certain that one day, you will find yourself reading or watching Hamlet in its entirety. It is a story that will always resonate with us.

I have seen and taught this play on numerous occasions, and at some point, I may pen a review. It is widely regarded as one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, along with Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear. There are many outstanding screen adaptations, including those by Laurence Olivier, Kenneth Brannagh, and others. The characters are truly remarkable, and the speeches are highly memorable.

I am writing this now because, under the global restrictions, I witnessed an excellent (zoomed) reading of the play online, managed by a Hong Kong theater company. Actors read the script from various locations such as Hong Kong, LA, NYC, Chicago, and Milwaukee, and one of them was a friend of mine. On the right side, I could read the same script they were using, and I toggled back and forth between the reading and the lively and inventive production. Sometimes, it allowed for minimal costumes and props. For example, Yorick was raised from the grave as a roll of toilet paper - what a great improvisation that takes into account the contemporary circumstances! Many such live productions are now accessible online. However, the question now is how to ensure they are paid for their efforts.

A book for all seasons... I have read it three or four times and many times I have watched the very beautiful film adaptation by Grigori Kozintsev. I have translated it into Azerbaijani.

This book holds a special place in my heart. It has the power to transport me to different worlds and emotions with each reading. The story is so captivating that I can't help but keep coming back to it.

The film adaptation by Kozintsev is also a masterpiece. It brings the characters and the story to life in a visually stunning way. The director has managed to capture the essence of the book and translate it onto the screen with great skill and artistry.

Translating the book into Azerbaijani was a labor of love for me. I wanted to share this wonderful story with a wider audience and make it accessible to those who may not be able to read it in the original language. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and I hope that my translation does justice to the original work.