We are about to embark in studying Shakespeare's longest and most studied tragedy!
As part of our attempt to understand one of Shakespeare's most complex protagonists, we will preview the play by reviewing its synopsis and different methods of its analysis.
Here, try reading the 32-second Hamlet:
The 32-second Hamlet
Actor 1 Who’s there?
Actor 2 A little more than kin and less than kind.
Actor 2 Frailty, thy name is woman!
Actor 8 Fear it, Ophelia!
Actor 3 Neither a borrower nor a Iender be; to thine own self be true,
Actor 4 Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Actor 5 Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.
Actor 3 Though this be madness, there is method in’t.
Actor 2 The play’s the thing!
Actor 2 To be or not to be, that is the question.
Actor 6 Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.
Actor 7 The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
Actor 2 I will speak daggers to her, but use none.
Actor 6 My words fly up, my thoughts remain below.
Actor 7 O, what a rash and bloody deed is this!
Actor 2 I must be cruel only to be kind
Actor 2 My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth.
Actor 7 Your sister’s drowned, Laertes.
Actor 2 Alas, poor Yorick I knew him, Horatio.
Actor 7 Sweets to the sweet.
Actor 8 I am justly killed with mine own treachery.
Actor 7 The drink, the drink! I am poisoned. (dies)
Actor 8 The king, the king’s to blame. (dies}
Actor 2 th’ election lights on Fortinbras.
