Classic literature lists generally include a sprinkling of plays. Obviously any list of seminal works is going to include Hamlet, commonly regarded as Shakespeare’s greatest work. Now, I am always conflicted when I read plays. There is no doubt that one gets a lot from the text itself, but I always feel that the language is designed to be spoken and given life by actors on a stage, therefore reading those words loses something.
However, there is great enjoyment to be had reading this play. In addition to the unfolding plot, the edition I read came from my high school kids’ english class, therefore there were detailed notes including translations of the highly Shakespearian words from which the narrative is obviously compiled. This is often helpful for the most obscure and obsolete words although it tends to disrupt the rhythm of reading.
Obviously this tragedy is a well known story and, indeed, a theme that resonates throughout literature – revenge. In common with most such themes the reader is initially sympathetic to the main protagonist and shares some of the outrage that leads them to swear revenge on the perpetrators. However, as the quest continues, the character becomes more and more obsessive and, as a result, much less likable. Hamlet himself isn’t a particularly sympathetic character to me. His treatment of Ophelia is harsh and his determination to avenge his father (driven by the latter ghost) leads him to his own, and pretty much everyone else’s destruction.
Obviously this is a great play and the theme, whilst not original to Shakespeare of course, is extremely well developed here. One is familiar with the approach but since this is written before such other famous revenge driven plots such as “The Count of Monte Cristo”, it represents one of the earliest explorations of this damaging quest.
I haven’t seen Hamlet on stage for decades and would like to reacquaint myself with the live performance. There is so much in Shakespeare that has entered the English lexicon and one is not always aware of that until it becomes apparent in the text. I love coming across such phrases in their original context.
I am always glad to read plays and this is perhaps the all time classic of the theatre.