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Justin's Reviews > Hamlet
Hamlet
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Updated review February 2017:
This is my third time reading Hamlet and, like a fine wine... you know the rest. I read the same copy I've had lying around for years with one page of notes on the left and the play on the right. This time I was able to read most of the play without notes which was pretty awesome. Just had to glance over to figure out what some of the words meant, but I actually got the story this time. It's taken me three tries with a book that helps me cheat, but boy oh boy I finally got this down.
It's beautiful! I loved it! It really hits a variety of genres and kept me turning the pages. It was weird... I read it pretty slowly to breathe in the language and take my time with it, even reading it out loud at times until my wife made me shut up. I tried to get her to play the female parts, but she wasn't feeling it. I guess she really just had the Queen of Ophelia so her options were limited. But yeah, I read it slowly but it also seemed to fly by at the same time.
Hamlet is a very complex guy who goes through a range of emotions as the story unfolds. His monologues are just really great poetry that I wish I could memorize and just belt out randomly on a street corner or while I'm in the grocery store contemplating another unhealthy snack. To be or not to be... I loved the monologues. I loved when things just went nuts at times. The ending was just crazy and awesome. It's just a daggum fantastic story, and you should give it a shot if you haven't already. Find a copy that helps you and breaks down the language and all that. It's good.
I've got Macbeth on the shelf, too. Might be time to revisit it and then tackle more Shakespeare. I've gotta be in the right mindset though. Can't just be reading all this nonsense all the time. I have real books waiting to be read, too. Books with real words and stuff.
Previous review:
I once asked a friend of mine if he liked Shakespeare to which he responded, "I don't dislike Shakespeare". That's exactly how I feel about him, too.
In high school I was forced to read Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar. My thoughts on Shakespeare haven't really changed much in the past 15 years. His stories are great, but they were written so long ago that it's not always fun to read. I appreciate the hell out of the guy, but he will never be my first choice (or second or third) when I'm looking for something new to read.
That being said, this was my favorite play to read through. Maybe I'm older now and find it easier and more enjoyable to read this stuff for pleasure rather than because I may have a pop quiz over the third act. I thought the story was fantastic and was surprised by how many lines I recognized from just being a human and dabbling in a little bit of culture every now and then.
Would I have ever read this if it wasn't being read in a group to prepare for Infinite Jest? Nope. But, I did and I'm glad I took the time to do it.
This is my third time reading Hamlet and, like a fine wine... you know the rest. I read the same copy I've had lying around for years with one page of notes on the left and the play on the right. This time I was able to read most of the play without notes which was pretty awesome. Just had to glance over to figure out what some of the words meant, but I actually got the story this time. It's taken me three tries with a book that helps me cheat, but boy oh boy I finally got this down.
It's beautiful! I loved it! It really hits a variety of genres and kept me turning the pages. It was weird... I read it pretty slowly to breathe in the language and take my time with it, even reading it out loud at times until my wife made me shut up. I tried to get her to play the female parts, but she wasn't feeling it. I guess she really just had the Queen of Ophelia so her options were limited. But yeah, I read it slowly but it also seemed to fly by at the same time.
Hamlet is a very complex guy who goes through a range of emotions as the story unfolds. His monologues are just really great poetry that I wish I could memorize and just belt out randomly on a street corner or while I'm in the grocery store contemplating another unhealthy snack. To be or not to be... I loved the monologues. I loved when things just went nuts at times. The ending was just crazy and awesome. It's just a daggum fantastic story, and you should give it a shot if you haven't already. Find a copy that helps you and breaks down the language and all that. It's good.
I've got Macbeth on the shelf, too. Might be time to revisit it and then tackle more Shakespeare. I've gotta be in the right mindset though. Can't just be reading all this nonsense all the time. I have real books waiting to be read, too. Books with real words and stuff.
Previous review:
I once asked a friend of mine if he liked Shakespeare to which he responded, "I don't dislike Shakespeare". That's exactly how I feel about him, too.
In high school I was forced to read Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar. My thoughts on Shakespeare haven't really changed much in the past 15 years. His stories are great, but they were written so long ago that it's not always fun to read. I appreciate the hell out of the guy, but he will never be my first choice (or second or third) when I'm looking for something new to read.
That being said, this was my favorite play to read through. Maybe I'm older now and find it easier and more enjoyable to read this stuff for pleasure rather than because I may have a pop quiz over the third act. I thought the story was fantastic and was surprised by how many lines I recognized from just being a human and dabbling in a little bit of culture every now and then.
Would I have ever read this if it wasn't being read in a group to prepare for Infinite Jest? Nope. But, I did and I'm glad I took the time to do it.
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Reading Progress
March 3, 2015
–
Started Reading
March 3, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 3, 2015
– Shelved
March 3, 2015
–
75.0%
"Through the first two scenes of the first act, and I'm feeling pretty proud of myself for being able to follow the story so far. Hated this stuff in high school...."
page
39
March 18, 2015
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Finished Reading
February 17, 2017
–
Started Reading
February 25, 2017
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Finished Reading
March 13, 2020
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Started Reading
May 2, 2020
–
Finished Reading
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Hrishabh
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 08, 2015 08:53PM
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I didn't care much for Shakespeare when I had to read it in college. However, once I started teaching it to high school students and had to find ways to make it connect to their lives, I was amazed by Shakespeare's staying power. I'm also a sucker for the tragic hero, and Hamlet is thee quintessential tragic hero. He's also a archetype for a lot of today's movie/tv protagonists.
You are doing prep reading for "Infinite Jest"? awesome! I can't wait to hear more about this. One day I'll get to "Infinite Jest." And "Ulysses."
Glad you read it again. Shakespeare is one of those dudes you have to read over and over, and each time, depending on what you, yourself, bring to the table, you see something else. Hamlet is my favorite. My husband LOVES Macbeth. I also really, really like Julius Caesar, "Et tu, Brutus?" and "Honorable Men."Anyway, loved your review. And remember the next time you want your wife to act out the female roles, back then young boys played those parts. So, why not give her the lead role of Hamlet or MacBeth or Caesar? Happy Shakespeare reading.
Thanks, Tracy, and great idea! I'm dusting off Macbeth soon and I'll give her the good parts this time. Can't wait!!
Shakespeare gets better and better with age in my opinion. Justin, glad you enjoyed it even more this time around!
Thanks, Ginger! I think once I got used to the language and felt more confident in my ability to follow the story I really got into it. I hope to read more this year, maybe the stuff from high school I hated but would probably love now.
Justin, I use to do Shakespeare plays (stage acting) when I was younger. So true on getting use to the language! It takes a bit of time.
Wonderful review, Justin. I'd like to buck the status quo but have to agree with the academic consensus that Hamlet is the best Shakespeare play. A good friend recommended a system for reading or studying Shakespeare which is to stream or rent a video of a staging, following along with as much of the original text is incorporated and then afterwards, read the play in its modern English translation. I find this to be a very good system for me.
I've watched three stagings of Hamlet and find myself anticipating the big scenes, eager to pick apart how the cast executes them.
That's a great recommendation, Joe! I'm itching to see s performance now that I've read the play several times. I'll have to try reversing the order and watching a performance before reading and see how it changes the experience.
I think once I got used to the language and felt more confident in my ability to follow the story I really got into it.You're right, it takes some time to get used to the language. Like Tracy, I teach this play to high school students. I've noticed that once we get through Act 1, they're more confident in reading and understanding. Plus, we read it out loud, and immediately examine each scene, which helps.
Glad you're liking it more and more! Great review!
I am about to start teaching this to my seniors. Hope they like it as much as you do!!
Hamlet is my favorite Shakespeare play. It's time to reread, I think! Excellent review, Justin!
