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''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? | |||
Shakespeare is thought to have written ''Hamlet'' in 1599-1601. It was published as a quarto in 1603 and in a much fuller version in 1604-05. The 1623 First Folio version is much closer to the second quarto, but differs from it by hundreds of lines. There are thus three texts of the play. An earlier Hamlet play, now lost, may have been a major source. Sources may also include other contemporary works, including accounts of drinking at the Danish court and of "melancholy."<ref>Adapted from the Folger Library Shakespeare edition, edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. © 1992 Folger Shakespeare Library.</ref> | |||
== Productions at the Folger == | == Productions at the Folger == | ||
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== Other media == | == Other media == | ||
== Notes == | |||
<references> | |||
Revision as of 08:52, 17 June 2014
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?
Shakespeare is thought to have written Hamlet in 1599-1601. It was published as a quarto in 1603 and in a much fuller version in 1604-05. The 1623 First Folio version is much closer to the second quarto, but differs from it by hundreds of lines. There are thus three texts of the play. An earlier Hamlet play, now lost, may have been a major source. Sources may also include other contemporary works, including accounts of drinking at the Danish court and of "melancholy."[1]
Productions at the Folger
Early editions
First Folio
- LUNA: First Folio: 2n4v - 2q1v
- Hamnet: STC 22273 Fo. 1 no. 68
Second Folio
- LUNA: Second Folio: 2p2v - 2r5v
- Hamnet: STC 22274 Fo. 2 no. 07
Second Quarto
- LUNA: Second Quarto (not linked)
- Hamnet: STC 22276
Third Quarto
- LUNA: Third Quarto (not linked)
- Hamnet: STC 22277 Copy 1
Fourth Quarto
- LUNA: Fourth Quarto (not linked)
- Hamnet: STC 22278 Copy 1
Fifth Quarto
- LUNA: Fifth Quarto (not linked)
- Hamnet: STC 22279 Copy 1
Modern editions
Hamlet can be read online with Folger Digital Texts and purchased from Simon and Schuster.
The Folger Luminary Shakespeare App can be purchased on iTunes.
- Hamnet link to Folger Edition: PR2807 .A2 M69 2012
Translations
Performance materials
Other media
Notes
<references>
- ↑ Adapted from the Folger Library Shakespeare edition, edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. © 1992 Folger Shakespeare Library.