Hamlet

by Shakespeare, William Shakespeare
Hamlet cover
Good Books rating 4.38
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  • ID: 119
  • Added: 2025-09-02
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • Formats: 105
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
The Guardian · The Guardian · 2025-10-03
notable 3.50

This review notes the production's effective portrayal of Hamlet's perceived madness and the standout performance of Ophelia, despite some emotional shortcomings.

The reviewer appreciates the production's ability to convey the notion that Hamlet is perceived as mad by those around him, highlighting the play's exploration of perception and reality. They particularly praise the performance of Ophelia, noting how she steals the show with her portrayal of tragic depth. However, the reviewer feels that the staging pulls its emotional punches, leaving some of the play's potential impact unrealized. Despite this, the production is seen as a notable interpretation of the classic work, with moments of both humor and tragedy.

Quick quotes

    The production does well to assert the notion that virtually everyone else believes Hamlet to have lost his mind.

    Francesca Mills steals the show as Ophelia.

    This staging pulls its emotional punches.

wopl.org · Unknown · 2025-09-18
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer highly praises William Shakespeare's Hamlet, highlighting its complex characters, tragic miscommunications, and profound messages. Despite the challenging language, they believe the play is one of Shakespeare's finest works and recommend it for its worthwhile insights.

The reviewer expresses their admiration for Hamlet, calling it one of the best novels they've read during their high school career. They acknowledge the initial skepticism one might have towards Shakespeare's 16th-century work but argue that the play's complex characters, tragic miscommunications, and climactic bloodshed make it a standout tragedy. The reviewer particularly appreciates the depth of the characters and the hidden meanings in the language, despite its intellectual complexity. They conclude by strongly recommending the play, stating that the messages and insights are worth the effort of understanding the language.

Quick quotes

    While I dread the thought of boring my reader with preachy nonsense, I must express that William Shakespeare’s _Hamlet_ is one of the best novels I have read within my high school career.

    For me, the exceptional part of _Hamlet_ is the complexity of Shakespeare’s characters, and their unique style and personalities.

    Regardless, I must recommend this play to you because it truly is one of Shakespeare’s finest works.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
profound 4.50

The reviewer finds Hamlet to be a profound exploration of human nature and existential questions, though they note the dense language can be challenging. They appreciate the depth of the characters and the timeless themes, but feel the pacing can be slow at times.

The reviewer is deeply moved by Hamlet's exploration of complex emotions and existential dilemmas. They find the character of Hamlet to be particularly compelling, as he grapples with moral and philosophical questions. The reviewer also appreciates the rich language and the way Shakespeare weaves themes of madness, revenge, and mortality throughout the play. However, they note that the dense language and lengthy soliloquies can make the pacing feel slow at times, which might be a challenge for some readers. Overall, they believe Hamlet is a masterpiece that rewards careful reading and reflection.

Quick quotes

    The reviewer says, "Hamlet's introspection and soliloquies are some of the most profound in literature.

    They mention, "The character development is exceptional, making each character feel real and complex.

    The reviewer notes, "The pacing can be slow, but the depth of the themes makes it worth the effort.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2025-02-19
brilliant 5.00

The reviewer enjoyed rereading Hamlet, appreciating its complex protagonist and intricate plot. They emphasize that Shakespeare's plays are best experienced live, as reading alone misses the emotional depth and character interactions.

The reviewer is a self-proclaimed Shakespeare enthusiast who found rereading Hamlet for their Classics Club list to be a delightful experience. They highlight Hamlet's complexity and the play's intricate plot, which keeps the audience engaged until the very end. The reviewer also stresses the importance of seeing Shakespeare's plays performed, as reading alone cannot capture the full emotional depth and character interactions. They believe Hamlet is a fantastic exploration of themes like madness, revenge, and power, making it a timeless classic. The reviewer also offers tips for those who find Shakespeare's language challenging, such as using explanatory notes or simplified versions.

Quick quotes

    I think the first thing to mention in a Shakespeare review is that his plays are meant to be seen. Reading Shakespeare is not as good as seeing it performed. You lose so much in only reading the words.

    Hamlet is a fantastic, complex protagonist. His monologues are famous for so many reasons. Is there a more famous line in Shakespeare than “To be or not to be?

    He explores themes that connect with audiences from his time all the way to today. I don’t think there are many literary works that more powerfully explore the themes of madness, revenge, power, and truth than Hamlet.

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