Reviews

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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glueeater's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

clancydavis's review against another edition

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5.0

I tried reading just the original text of Hamlet, but I got lost after Act I, Scene 2.

This SparkNote edition of the book is helpful in that it provides a modern, almost slang, translation. I would have liked some additional annotation, but this edition accomplished what it set out to do.

sidharthvardhan's review against another edition

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5.0

All Shakespearian plays have very simple plots. You could be sure of that if you read some of the reviews here paroding the plot. More than a comlex story with lots of twists, he would rather have complex characters - all with their own defects and merits. Their success depends on how much you are capable of steping into shoes of its characters. It is only when you can feel his anxiety that you would relate to Hamlet's wonderings whether to be or not to be. That is why they are best seen acted because that helps to create the right kind of atmosphere and tension - which is better than merely reading a mere sequence of dialogues and actions.

Hamlet is one such person who is forced to do something which is not exactly his speciality and whose very nature, good as it is makes him incapable of that. His fault lies in his over analysis of his situations - something in built in a learned man and truely all his errors - whether its delay in taking the revenge or his treatment Orphellia; are all learned man's mistakes. If you have ever been in so much trouble you will love it.