Reviews

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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rosepetalsoup's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.75

locki_box's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

autogeek's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a tough one to review. The rating I have given this play reflects how much I enjoyed this book - part of that is the story in itself, partly the commentary and partly the performance. I "read" the audiobook version of this play from Audible which was an unabridged, dramatised version with commentary options. What is not reflected in my rating is how enormously influential and important this work was (and still is).

The story itself is very good and unique (although that might be because I haven't read many classics or dramas). The language though is quite convoluted. The entire play is written in iambic pentameter and most of the characters speak in deliberately long-winded sentences (because that is just how the nobility spoke back in those days). The character build-up is very good and Shakespeare does a good job in giving the reader an insight into the psyche of the characters. Overall though, taking into consideration the convoluted language, I would give the story (without commentary) a rating of 4 (rounded up from 3.5).

The commentary, in my opinion, is what transforms this book from "good" to "excellent". It provides the context and the background to the play that helps you appreciate why it was so groundbreaking. A lot of the literary tools and features used in the play may be very ordinary now (for e.g., a non-linear or a parallel narrative), but were introduced for the first time by Shakespeare. The commentary also gives a good background into Shakespeare himself, his personal life and the politics of the royal court which help explain for example, some of the traits given to Hamlet (which was the name of Shakespeare's short-lived son in real life) and some of the other characters in the play (to please the paranoid Queen for instance). Moreover, the commentary also does an excellent job summarizing and explaining parts of the play that use some of the more convoluted and archaic language.

In summary, I honestly think everyone should read this play with a good commentary (as it provides the context that helps you appreciate the play). Don't think of this book (with the commentary) as a "play with commentary" but instead as a chapter in Shakespeare's biography centered around the making of the play and then it makes brilliant sense. For this particular audiobook version of the play (unabridged, dramatised, with commentary) I would give it 5 (rounded up from 4.5) stars. That said though, after listening to the commentary, I have understood why this play is so enormously influential and I think everyone interested in literature should definitely give this play a read.

gabingy's review against another edition

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5.0

✵ 12♡04♡24
✵ Leído en físico
Ⱄⱄ. .ⱄⰔ
Es irónico pero Hamlet me hizo muy feliz. Descubrí un nuevo crush literario, te amo Hamlet. Ok, ya estaba enamorada de Ophelia en todas las pinturas sobre su muerte posibles pero ahora con esta lectura mi emo vengador me conquistó. Ok, empiezo con mi fangirleo. He disfrutado muchísimo de leerlo, sé que Shakespeare puede intimidar a muchos lectores pero creo que es una lectura importantísima tanto para la historia de la literatura y el teatro como para tu desarrollo personal. Hay muchísima exploración sobre la muerte, un tópico que me encanta; me quedo particularmente con la reflexión que hace sobre que todos los títulos y bienes que posees ahora no importarán cuando te mueras porque al final todos vamos a terminar comidos por gusanos (o en cenizas, como gustes). En fin, ya mencioné que fangirleo tanto con Hamlet, por lo dramático que es y con Ophelia, es que esa imagen de su muerte y locura para mí es tan impactante, tan inspirador cómo se resigna a la muerte, ni siquiera lucha por salvarse. Me encanta esta imagen.

¿Qué más puedo decir? Es una lectura que disfruté bastante y definitivamente volvería a leer. Es muy especial para mí porque llevo obsesionada con los personajes femeninos de Shakespeare toda una vida (Lady Macbeth, yo te defiendo) y además es mi lectura número 100 desde que empecé a anotar los libros que leo. Sé que no pudo existir otro mejor libro que ocupe la lista.

abzhozay's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.0

I'm still new into getting into Shakespeare. Wanted to read something I was a little more familiar with. Honestly, can't help but think of the Lion King (what the movie is based on). The story is so dramatic and unhinged about growing pains, revenge, and trying to let go of the passed. I will say, for someone who read this for fun and not for school, I recommend reading Shakespeare with a dramatic dialogue audiobook with full cast and follow along reading it. It is a more immersive experience that way & it will be easier to understand. Can't wait to get into more of his works this summer!