Hamlet – William Shakespeare * Reading Challenge Recap *

Challenges – Ultimate Teen Book Guide 15/691, Ultimate Teen Book Guide 2nd Edition – 16/782.

Synopsis –Hamlet is not only one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, but also the most fascinatingly problematical tragedy in world literature.

First performed around 1600, this a gripping and exuberant drama of revenge, rich in contrasts and conflicts. Its violence alternates with introspection, its melancholy with humour, and its subtlety with spectacle. The Prince, Hamlet himself, is depicted as a complex, divided, introspective character. His reflections on death, morality and the very status of human beings make him ‘the first modern man’.

Countless stage productions and numerous adaptations for the cinema and television have demonstrated the continuing cultural relevance of this vivid, enigmatic, profound and engrossing drama.

My Thoughts – I studied this book for my second year of  A levels so i have quite an indepth knowdlege of this! I even got to see it performed in Stratford Upon Avon starring Sir Patrick Stewart and David Tennant with the college.

This is an enjoyable play – the themes in it arent too light though – death, murder, madness etc but it still an enjoyable play.

I havent read any Shakespeare since leaving school but I think I would again as long as I had a bit of time to concentrate on it as its not the most easy going thing to read!

Rating – 5-5

Recommendations – Ultimate Teen Book Guide – Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Nights Dream – William Shakespeare, Ophelia – Lisa Klein, Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Dead – Tom Stoppard, Dating Hamlet- Lisa Fielder.

Ultimate Teen Book Guide 2nd Edition – Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Nights Dream – William Shakespeare, Dating Hamlet- Lisa Fielder, King of Shadows – Susan Cooper, Cue for Treason – Geoffry Trease