Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Book Talk

This year's Shakespeare play is Hamlet. It is a gripping tragedy about a young man who finds himself in the middle of murder, vengeance, and madness. Everyone knows the beginning of Hamlet's soliloquy (act of speaking one's thoughts aloud to oneself - Oxford Dictionary), "To be, or not to be..." This play was one of the most popular and most performed Shakespearean plays in its time. There are so many lines and character types that have been rehashed in all mediums of entertainment to this day. Without further ado, let's dive into the world of Hamlet.

SHORT SYNOPSIS

Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, is away at school when he receives word of his father's unexpected death. He rushes home to be crowned king and morn his father's untimely death, when he is told that his mother and uncle (his father's brother Claudius) will be married soon and Hamlet will continue on as prince for now. His world turned upside down, there is another unexpected twist to this tale in the form of a ghost taking the shape of Hamlet's late father. Dressed in full armor, the ghost tells Hamlet one night that he was murdered by his brother (Claudius), and must be avenged.

Hamlet spends the rest of the play trying to figure out who to trust, what is real, and how to avenge his father.

FAVORITE PARTS OF THE PLAY

If I'm honest, there are so many. From trying to determine if Hamlet has gone mad, is playing at being mad, or is somewhere in between I love that each time I read Hamlet I'm allowed (as the reader or viewer) to decide these things anew. The more research I do into Hamlet's lines, the more I'm convinced that Hamlet is, most of the time, playing at being mad for his safety; however he does slip into madness a few times throughout the play. When he jumps into Ophelia's grave and fights her brother is a slip, and his actions with the body of Polonius seem to be actually mad.

This was also the first time that two things struck me about the characters. One, Polonius is far more dangerous and funny than he is often played. Two, Hamlet (because he pretends his madness) is allowed to play three different types of Shakespearean characters: the fool, the hero, and the villain.

Let's quickly dive into Polonius first (see more in the video here). Almost everything that comes out of Polonius' mouth is double ended. He comes across as a buffoon right off the bat with his farewell speech to his son Laertes, but then he sends someone to follow him. Polonius continues this over controlling behavior with his daughter Ophelia, and eventually will also get into it with the King and Queen as well. It is this meddling that causes the end of his life.

Switching to Hamlet's character, I don't remember ever reading one quite like it. How fun and very difficult to play such a character. The audience is rooting for you most of the time, and yet he's allowed to tread villainous waters whenever he speaks to Ophelia. Hamlet is one of the most complex and interesting characters ever written.

THINGS THAT SURPRISED ME

When I read Hamlet, or attend the play, I always leave room in my mind for a different interpretation. It is my right as a reader, or audience member to come to different conclusions about the characters. The play was written so brilliantly that there is an unending number or twists and turns you could take with each speech.

In my mind, I knew the character of Ophelia. She was one of my favorites...that is until I reread the play this time. I have nothing against Ophelia, except that she leaves me wanting more. She is another complicated character because her communication is very little compared to the other characters, and yet you really feel awful when she goes mad after her father's death. I just kept asking myself, who is Ophelia? Is she a sweet innocent young woman, or is she also playing at something until she isn't anymore. One Shakespeare historian said that the reason Ophelia goes mad is because when her father dies his ability to think and speak for her dies as well and she is left as a shell. She had no mind of her own and now truly has no mind at all. I don't know if I buy that interpretation, but I do want to know more about her.

THINGS I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT

After rereading Hamlet this time, I still have questions about the characters that will never be solved. Why doesn't Claudius send Hamlet back to school? Why doesn't he know about the ghost? Claudius is supposed to know everything. He has his spies everywhere. None of the following tragedy would have occurred.

Why is the ghost armed from head to toe? He says there are numerous things he cannot speak to Hamlet about, but one. His own death. Is he really the ghost of Hamlet's father, or as Hamlet says a spirit meant to do harm?

Why does Gertrude allow herself to get married again? Is this a reworking on Richard III where he woos the dead king's wife as she is coming from the funeral? Did Shakespeare want to hash that out more?

RECOMMEND?

Yes! The more I dig into this piece of work the more I love it. It is full of double meanings, twists and turns, and unanswered questions. I would recommend reading the play and then attending a show. In a live production you will miss so many of the double meaning that you will be able to read and digest on your own time before the quick tongue firing that occurs during a performance. Enjoy the video, and do let me know what you think of the play as well.