HamletThe Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Each edition includes: • Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play • Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages_facing the text of the play • Scene-by-scene plot summaries • A key to famous lines and phrases • An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language • An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing_a modern perspective on the play • Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare_Library's vast holdings of rare books TEACHERS: Lesson plans for this play are available at_www.folger.edu. To receive a curriculum guide for this play, email your request to folger.marketing@simonandschuster.com. Please specify PDF or print version. Essay by Michael Neill The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the... Hamlet is Shakespeare's most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a “revenge tragedy,” in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father's murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. Among them: What is the Ghost—Hamlet's father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder? The authoritative edition of Hamlet from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: -The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference -Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently linked to the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play's famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading Essay by Michael Neill The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu. Hamlet Is Shakespeare's Most Popular, And Most Puzzling, Play. It Follows The Form Of A “revenge Tragedy,” In Which The Hero, Hamlet, Seeks Vengeance Against His Father’s Murderer, His Uncle Claudius, Now The King Of Denmark. Much Of Its Fascination, However, Lies In Its Uncertainties. Among Them: What Is The Ghost—hamlet's Father Demanding Justice, A Tempting Demon, An Angelic Messenger? Does Hamlet Go Mad, Or Merely Pretend To? Once He Is Sure That Claudius Is A Murderer, Why Does He Not Act? Was His Mother, Gertrude, Unfaithful To Her Husband Or Complicit In His Murder? The Authoritative Edition Of Hamlet From The Folger Shakespeare Library, The Trusted And Widely Used Shakespeare Series For Students And General Readers, Is Now Available As An Ebook. Features Include: · The Exact Text Of The Printed Book For Easy Cross-reference · Hundreds Of Hypertext Links For Instant Navigation · Freshly Edited Text Based On The Best Early Printed Version Of The Play · Full Explanatory Notes Conveniently Placed On Pages Facing The Text Of The Play · Scene-by-scene Plot Summaries · A Key To Famous Lines And Phrases · An Introduction To Reading Shakespeare’s Language · Illustrations From The Folger Shakespeare Library’s Vast Holdings Of Rare Books · An Essay By A Leading Shakespeare Scholar Providing A Modern Perspective On The Play In this quintessential Shakespeare tragedy, a young prince's halting pursuit of revenge for the murder of his father unfolds in a series of highly charged confrontations that have held audiences spellbound for nearly four centuries. Those fateful exchanges, and the anguished soliloquies that precede and follow them, probe depths of human feeling rarely sounded in any art. The title role of Hamlet, perhaps the most demanding in all of Western drama, has provided generations of leading actors their greatest challenge. Yet all the roles in this towering drama are superbly delineated, and each of the key scenes offers actors a rare opportunity to create theatrical magic. As if further evidence of Shakespeare's genius were needed, Hamlet is a unique pleasure to read as well as to see and hear performed. The full text of this extraordinary drama is reprinted here from an authoritative British edition complete with illuminating footnotes. (back cover)

Each edition includes:

• Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play

• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play

• Scene-by-scene plot summaries

• A key to famous lines and phrases

• An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language

• An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play

• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

Essay by Michael Neill

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.

Presents the text of William Shakespeare's tragedy in which Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, struggles with the decision whether to avenge his father's murder, and includes text glosses; details on Shakespeare's life, world, and theater; and an essay that offers a modern perspective on the play Presents Shakespeare's tragedy in which a Danish prince seeks vengeance for his father's murder after being visited by his ghost; and includes explanatory notes, scene-by-scene plot summaries, a key to memorable lines, and other reference tools This edition includes freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play, with full explanatory notes, scene-by-scene plot summaries, and a key to famous lines and passages that make the Bard come to life for all readers