Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Fiction - Drama/Play
1963 Signet Classics (Originally published in 1602)
Finished on May 28, 1996
Rating: 3/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Among Shakespeare's plays, Hamlet is considered by many his masterpiece. The play, set in Denmark, recounts how Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father, the King, and then taken the throne and married Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. The play vividly charts the course of real and feigned madness—from overwhelming grief to seething rage—and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption.
My Original Notes (1996):
Another book club selection. I'm so glad we decided to read this classic! I've never read any Shakespeare and I'm glad to have finally had the chance to do so. Hamlet was a good play to start with. It wasn't too difficult, especially since I read the Cliffs Notes as I read the play. After finishing the book, I watched the video, starring Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, and Helena Bonham Carter.
My Current Thoughts:
Yes, I admit that I never read any Shakespeare in high school. I grew up in Southern California in the '80s and somehow managed to graduate without ever reading a single Shakespeare play. I have no idea why it wasn't required reading! Will I read it again? Probably not. I'm not a big fan of the classics, but I'm glad I finally got around to reading the play.
I haven't read any Shakespeare since high school and have no plans to. My son loves his work, though, and took 2 Shakespeare classes in college.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I doubt I'll read anymore at this point. :) It certainly takes a bit of adjusting to understanding the "language" of Shakespeare!
DeleteI've never thought to suggest a play for book club!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes...wondering how you managed to luck out of reading any Shakespeare. I think we read at least one play every year except the year when we studied American Lit. And now I have bad memories of having to memorize the speech from Julius Cesar. LOL!
Trish, we were trying to read out of our comfort zone. I'd still like to read some other plays (not Shakespeare) that I missed out on in high school. (Shhhh, don't tell anyone but I've never read Our Town.)
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