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dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hamlet is William Shakespeare's best play, in my opinion.
I personally think the story works best with the understanding that Hamlet is/becomes aware that he's a character in a play. It explains several seemingly erroneous remarks, like "while memory holds a seat in this distracted globe" (referring to the Globe Theatre), and the fishmonger scene (in which he recognises an actor as a fishmonger rather than as Polonius, the character he's playing). It also recontextualises the famous "to be or not to be" monologue, which can be read as Hamlet being conflicted between the "real world" and the fictional story he is a part of.
I could go on citing more examples but this is a review, not an essay.
Even without my favoured interpretation, the play is pretty good. There are plenty of other ways to read it, such as a conflict between mortal vengeance and divine justice, a philosophical pondering on the nature of existence, or a more straightforward revenge story with Hamlet feigning madness to make himself seem less suspicious.
Whichever headcanon you prefer, I would definitely recommend reading or watching Hamlet if you have the time and I hope you find it as enjoyable and thought-provoking as I did.
I personally think the story works best with the understanding that Hamlet is/becomes aware that he's a character in a play. It explains several seemingly erroneous remarks, like "while memory holds a seat in this distracted globe" (referring to the Globe Theatre), and the fishmonger scene (in which he recognises an actor as a fishmonger rather than as Polonius, the character he's playing). It also recontextualises the famous "to be or not to be" monologue, which can be read as Hamlet being conflicted between the "real world" and the fictional story he is a part of.
I could go on citing more examples but this is a review, not an essay.
Even without my favoured interpretation, the play is pretty good. There are plenty of other ways to read it, such as a conflict between mortal vengeance and divine justice, a philosophical pondering on the nature of existence, or a more straightforward revenge story with Hamlet feigning madness to make himself seem less suspicious.
Whichever headcanon you prefer, I would definitely recommend reading or watching Hamlet if you have the time and I hope you find it as enjoyable and thought-provoking as I did.