Hamlet

This article is about Shakespeare's play. For other uses, see Hamlet (disambiguation).

Hamlet one of William Shakespeare's plays and perhaps his most popular, and most puzzling. 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."

Productions at the Folger

• Hamlet (Shakespeare's Globe, 2012)

Helen Hayes Awards

Wins: "Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production" for Christopher Saul.

Nominations: "Outstanding Non-Resident Production," "Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production" for Michael Benz, and "Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production" for Tom Lawrence

• Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 2010)

Helen Hayes Awards

Wins: "Outstanding Resident Play" and the "Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Leading Actor, Resident Play" for Graham Michael Hamilton

Nominations: "Outstanding Director, Resident Play" for Joseph Haj, "Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production" for Justin Townshend and "Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production" for Matthew M. Nielson and Jack Herrick

• Hamlet (Folger Theatre, 1999)

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.

Hamnet link to Folger Edition: PR2807 .A2 M69 2012

Other media

Audio edition

Hamlet Audio Edition from Simon & Schuster available on CD and as an audio download.

CAST
Hamlet	Zach Appelman
Claudius	Ian Merrill Peakes
Polonius	Rick Foucheux
Gertrude	Karen Peakes
Ophelia	Emily Trask
Laertes	Aubrey Deeker
Horatio	Michael Brusasco
Rosencrantz	Chris Genebach
Guildenstern	Todd Scofield

Other parts were played by members of the cast.

Directed by Robert Richmond.

Original music composed by Anthony Cochrane.

In partnership with Simon & Schuster Audio

Video

Watch an introduction to Hamlet's plot and characters.

Listen to a discussion of the role of Hamlet's soliloquies in the play.

Luminary App

The Folger Luminary Shakespeare App can be purchased on iTunes.

Notes

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