The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark

This edition includes freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play, with full explanatory notes, scene-by-scene plot summaries, and a key to famous lines and passages that make the Bard come to life for all readers. nHamlet 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. n 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? n n The authoritative edition of Hamlet from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: n n -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play n -Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play n -Scene-by-scene plot summaries n -A key to the play's famous lines and phrases n -An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language n -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play n -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books n -An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading n n Essay by Michael Neill n n The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.n