Although Hamlet isn’t my personal favorite Shakespeare play, I think it is his best play. I first read it for English class last year, which means I got the full analysis of it as I read it, because it was in an academic setting. I think reading this play is probably the first time I have felt that the academic analysis of a book or play actually enriched my appreciation for it. Most of the time, the class gets bogged down in details that aren’t particularly interesting and I end up hating the whole process. But this wasn’t true for Hamlet. I found that Hamlet is full of interesting details that I would not have otherwise noticed, details I am glad to know.
One of my assignments for the play was to memorize one of Hamlet’s soliloquies. Honestly, I chose the shortest one because it was easiest, but I ended up really enjoying the soliloquy. I chose the one from Act 1, Scene 2, where Hamlet is still very deep in grief over the death of his father while his mother moved on very quickly. So, this was a very important moment for his character, because it serves as the audience's first good look at his character and his issues. I loved this soliloquy, mostly because of how well-written it is. The references to Greek mythology, like the mentions of Hyperion and Hercules, were some of my favorite parts, because it helps the audience see Hamlet's perspective on the new king. For example, both mentions of the mythology were similes, comparing his father to his uncle, berating his uncle, calling Claudius a "beast" compared to the "Hyperion" that was his father.
Also, every character in the play is very interesting. Hamlet, the protagonist, spends the entire play tortured by his own morals and fears, so it is captivating to watch how his character develops throughout the play because of this. But despite how fascinated I was by Hamlet, Ophelia was my favorite character. She tends to get pushed to the side a bit throughout the play, until the scenes where she goes mad and eventually dies as a result. However, her few big moments were highlights of the play for me. Honestly, I am not sure whether she was written to be mocked or sympathized with when she goes insane, but I personally read her as a character that should be sympathized with. The entire play, I felt bad for her, with Hamlet mistreating her, then Hamlet kills her father, then she is wrought with grief as she goes mad and no one takes her seriously. So, I really think Ophelia deserved better.
5 stars
Although Hamlet isn’t my personal favorite Shakespeare play, I think it is his best play. I first read it for English class last year, which means I got the full analysis of it as I read it, because it was in an academic setting. I think reading this play is probably the first time I have felt that the academic analysis of a book or play actually enriched my appreciation for it. Most of the time, the class gets bogged down in details that aren’t particularly interesting and I end up hating the whole process. But this wasn’t true for Hamlet. I found that Hamlet is full of interesting details that I would not have otherwise noticed, details I am glad to know.
One of my assignments for the play was to memorize one of Hamlet’s soliloquies. Honestly, I chose the shortest one because it was easiest, but I ended up really enjoying the soliloquy. I chose the one from Act 1, Scene 2, where Hamlet is still very deep in grief over the death of his father while his mother moved on very quickly. So, this was a very important moment for his character, because it serves as the audience's first good look at his character and his issues. I loved this soliloquy, mostly because of how well-written it is. The references to Greek mythology, like the mentions of Hyperion and Hercules, were some of my favorite parts, because it helps the audience see Hamlet's perspective on the new king. For example, both mentions of the mythology were similes, comparing his father to his uncle, berating his uncle, calling Claudius a "beast" compared to the "Hyperion" that was his father.
Also, every character in the play is very interesting. Hamlet, the protagonist, spends the entire play tortured by his own morals and fears, so it is captivating to watch how his character develops throughout the play because of this. But despite how fascinated I was by Hamlet, Ophelia was my favorite character. She tends to get pushed to the side a bit throughout the play, until the scenes where she goes mad and eventually dies as a result. However, her few big moments were highlights of the play for me. Honestly, I am not sure whether she was written to be mocked or sympathized with when she goes insane, but I personally read her as a character that should be sympathized with. The entire play, I felt bad for her, with Hamlet mistreating her, then Hamlet kills her father, then she is wrought with grief as she goes mad and no one takes her seriously. So, I really think Ophelia deserved better.