The Shakespeare Revue

Hamlet

"O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!" Act I, scene ii

Written: 1600

Synopsis: King Hamlet (Senior) is dead. Long live his brother, Claudius, who succeeds him to the throne (despite Hamlet having a living, sane son). To cement his hold on the Danish throne, Claudius marries his brother's widow, Gertrude, despite it seeming incest in that day and age. Then, Hamlet, Junior is recalled to Elsinore, Denmark. When Junior arrives, chaos ensues. His father's ghost informs him of his uncle's foul deeds (i.e. murder of Hamlet's father, etc.) and Hamlet is placed in a quandary. There unfolds a tale of pretended madness, vengeance, betrayed love and mere betrayal. On top of all that, Norway invades Denmark. At the end of the play, the only main character left standing is faithful Horatio.

Characters:
• Hamlet, Gertrude and Hamlet, Sr.'s kid/Nephew to Claudius; "rightful" heir?
• Claudius, King of Denmark; twerp

Musings:

The Text of the Play: Hamlet

Quotes

Links:

Buy the Play:

Sir John Gilbert, R.A., Hamlet in the Presence of His Father's Ghost Reviews
	Guildford Shakespeare Company February 14, 2011
	Luzerner Theater April 3, 2009
	Stratford Festival of Canada August 29, 2008
	Royal Shakespeare Company August 25, 2008
	Theatre Project Si June 17, 2008
	Tobacco Factory April 27, 2008
	No Nude Men Productions at The Climate Theatre November 4, 2006
	Intersection for the Arts October 26, 2006
	Actors' Shakespeare Project October 21, 2006
	Actors From The London Stage September 21, 2006
	Chicago Shakespeare Theatre September 10, 2006
	Shakespeare & Company July 15, 2006
	Shakespeare at Stinson beach June 24, 2006
	English Touring Theatre at the New Ambassadors Theatre March 13, 2006
	Royal Shakespeare Company August 28, 2004
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