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16 reviews for:
Shakespeare Survey 45 - Hamlet and its Afterlife
Stanley Wells, Michael Dobson, Jonathan Bate
4.4 AVERAGE
16 reviews for:
Shakespeare Survey 45 - Hamlet and its Afterlife
Stanley Wells, Michael Dobson, Jonathan Bate
4.4 AVERAGE
now cracks a noble heart. goodnight, sweet prince,
and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Great editions, if I read more Shakespeare (I will!) I'll definitely buy another RSC edition.
This makes my third time reading this, and I'm reviewing this after having just seen it performed, so I'll do my best to keep it about the words. This is also the third edition of Hamlet that I've read, however it's probably the first time that I've really gone in depth and truly understood what it's about (read: I had to read this in high school and I didn't give it the proper attention it deserved).
I think we all know about Hamlet enough to make our own decisions over whether we liked it or not. However, I will say that I think that Hamlet should be required reading for everyone under the sun. Even if you really didn't like high school and don't like Shakespeare and don't like plays. This is because Hamlet has quite the cultural capitol in western culture. Skulls? Poor Yorick. The Lion King? Defs Hamlet. Ghosts? King Hamlet. Flowers? Ophelia.
That being said, let's talk about the Royal Shakespeare Company edition! You know how in lots of classic reads, there'll be an introduction, and sometimes a few essays that take up about a quarter of the book? Well, one of my Shakespeare professors from college said, "There are people that actually write those, you know. I'm one of them. I made a check for five dollars the other day for something I wrote fifteen years ago." So now that I'm out of college and I don't have to read a book a week, I'm now delving into the introductions and acknowledgements--the things we normally skip over.
The Royal Shakespeare Company edition really gives great insight to Hamlet. Just in the introduction, they discuss themes such as revenge, conscience, and Hamlet's questions. This provides a good basis of insight for reading the play, especially if this is the first time you're reading it. One of the observations was how Hamlet is actually a very feminine character--something I'd never really thought about before and am now intrigued by. In addition to this, they also discuss their reasoning behind using certain lines from the Folios and the Quartos, while also providing the cut lines after the play. Additionally, they also interviewed three directors and asked them to recount their productions and why they made certain decisions.
Overall, this edition is a very informative and intriguing one, and I'd urge you to get this copy if you happen to see it.
"...the devil hath power / T'assume a pleasing shape..." (II.ii.611-12)
"Lord, we know what we are, but / know not what we may be." (IV.iv.43-4).
Get the full review here!
I think we all know about Hamlet enough to make our own decisions over whether we liked it or not. However, I will say that I think that Hamlet should be required reading for everyone under the sun. Even if you really didn't like high school and don't like Shakespeare and don't like plays. This is because Hamlet has quite the cultural capitol in western culture. Skulls? Poor Yorick. The Lion King? Defs Hamlet. Ghosts? King Hamlet. Flowers? Ophelia.
That being said, let's talk about the Royal Shakespeare Company edition! You know how in lots of classic reads, there'll be an introduction, and sometimes a few essays that take up about a quarter of the book? Well, one of my Shakespeare professors from college said, "There are people that actually write those, you know. I'm one of them. I made a check for five dollars the other day for something I wrote fifteen years ago." So now that I'm out of college and I don't have to read a book a week, I'm now delving into the introductions and acknowledgements--the things we normally skip over.
The Royal Shakespeare Company edition really gives great insight to Hamlet. Just in the introduction, they discuss themes such as revenge, conscience, and Hamlet's questions. This provides a good basis of insight for reading the play, especially if this is the first time you're reading it. One of the observations was how Hamlet is actually a very feminine character--something I'd never really thought about before and am now intrigued by. In addition to this, they also discuss their reasoning behind using certain lines from the Folios and the Quartos, while also providing the cut lines after the play. Additionally, they also interviewed three directors and asked them to recount their productions and why they made certain decisions.
Overall, this edition is a very informative and intriguing one, and I'd urge you to get this copy if you happen to see it.
"...the devil hath power / T'assume a pleasing shape..." (II.ii.611-12)
"Lord, we know what we are, but / know not what we may be." (IV.iv.43-4).
Get the full review here!
[Hint: plays should be seen as well as read!]
It probably is the greatest work of English literature, but only gets 4 stars because, while I can see it would have the most to debate as a work to study, and the most to work on character-wise as a director or actor, I just didn't enjoy it as much as some. Perhaps I need to see a production that really connects with me (Still good though!)
Don't get me wrong, there are some good speeches (obviously) and so many phrases that have entered the English language that it probably suffers from them jumping out at you (hence the old joke about the woman who criticised it as 'a load of quotations strung together'). Some interesting bits to think about as Hamlet muses on mortality and suicide, but the plot is a bit ridiculous in places (poison in the ear?) and perhaps as a reader (rather than an actor) I'd like to see a bit more of some of the other characters.
Definitely worth reading though, as it does give you time to go over "to be or not to be" with footnotes, and get what all the fuss is about!
It probably is the greatest work of English literature, but only gets 4 stars because, while I can see it would have the most to debate as a work to study, and the most to work on character-wise as a director or actor, I just didn't enjoy it as much as some. Perhaps I need to see a production that really connects with me (Still good though!)
Don't get me wrong, there are some good speeches (obviously) and so many phrases that have entered the English language that it probably suffers from them jumping out at you (hence the old joke about the woman who criticised it as 'a load of quotations strung together'). Some interesting bits to think about as Hamlet muses on mortality and suicide, but the plot is a bit ridiculous in places (poison in the ear?) and perhaps as a reader (rather than an actor) I'd like to see a bit more of some of the other characters.
Definitely worth reading though, as it does give you time to go over "to be or not to be" with footnotes, and get what all the fuss is about!
an absolute adventure! so much drama, so funny, definitely one of my favourite texts i’ve studied this year
medium-paced
Shakespeare never fails to amaze me; timeless, forever relevant.