Hamlet's combination of violence and introspection is unusual among Shakespeare's tragedies. It is also full of curious riddles and fascinating paradoxes, making it one of his most widely discussed plays. Professor Hibbard's illuminating and original introduction explains the process by which variant texts were fused in the eighteenth century to create the most commonly used text of today. Drawing on both critical and theatrical history, he shows how this gusion makes Hamlet seem a much more 'problematic' play than it was when it originally appeared in the First Folio of 1623. The Oxford Shakespeare edition presents a radically new text, based on that First Folio, which printed Shakespeare's own revision of an earlier version. The result is a 'theatrical' and highly practical edition for students and actors alike.
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Review
`a dynamic, exciting, and thought-provoking work' Notes and Queries
`it is bound in general to have considerable impact on our thinking about Hamlet (the text and the play) and deserves wide attention' Notes and Queries
`level-headed, perspicuous treatment of the textual problems...It may be commended to students...Of the three recent Hamlets, this edition is the one I shall require students to buy.' T. H. Howard-Hill, Review English Studies
`it is bound in general to have considerable impact on our thinking about Hamlet (the text and the play) and deserves wide attention' Notes and Queries
`level-headed, perspicuous treatment of the textual problems...It may be commended to students...Of the three recent Hamlets, this edition is the one I shall require students to buy.' T. H. Howard-Hill, Review English Studies
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Most helpful customer reviews
By TheBard
Format:Paperback
I own many of the Oxford World Classic Shakespeare series, and this is arguably one of the best (I highly enjoyed the one on Shakespeare's poems and sonnets).
Since this has no `'look inside'' allow me to be your guide for the day. Firstly, externally the book is beautiful. The binding is strong, the paper is sturdy with good colour, and it fits nicely into your hand.
Internally, the book literally tells you everything you could want to know about the history of the play. It tells you about Shakespeare's sources for the play, what he took and what he didn't from the sources. It tells you about other people's views on controversial subjects, about its production in Germany, and so forth. It tells you about the different versions which exist and on and on I can go. I probably could teach a one day seminar about this play based off of this book.
The notes to the actual play are more than useful. My understanding of the play has radically changed. I can never view this play as I did before (ignorant about it meanings).
The one problem is this: the notes to the actual play are so many, that to get through one act takes much longer than it would without notes (obviously!). But, the fact that this is a problem, speaks volumes as to how great it is.
Since this has no `'look inside'' allow me to be your guide for the day. Firstly, externally the book is beautiful. The binding is strong, the paper is sturdy with good colour, and it fits nicely into your hand.
Internally, the book literally tells you everything you could want to know about the history of the play. It tells you about Shakespeare's sources for the play, what he took and what he didn't from the sources. It tells you about other people's views on controversial subjects, about its production in Germany, and so forth. It tells you about the different versions which exist and on and on I can go. I probably could teach a one day seminar about this play based off of this book.
The notes to the actual play are more than useful. My understanding of the play has radically changed. I can never view this play as I did before (ignorant about it meanings).
The one problem is this: the notes to the actual play are so many, that to get through one act takes much longer than it would without notes (obviously!). But, the fact that this is a problem, speaks volumes as to how great it is.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
5 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great edition for the Shakespeare scholar.
May 4 2010
By John C. Reilly
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The cover-art alone is worth the price. Moreover, the quality of the paper is very good, with clear, sharp printed text.
One drawback might be that the Oxford editors use the F version of the play and have included parts of Q2, such as Hamlet's 4.4
soliloquy in the appendix. Overall a very good value.
One drawback might be that the Oxford editors use the F version of the play and have included parts of Q2, such as Hamlet's 4.4
soliloquy in the appendix. Overall a very good value.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Definitive Scholar's Hamlet
Aug 4 2010
By Andy Behlen
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Oxford Shakespeare editions are in my opinion the best for scholarly work. They all include introductory matter intended to catch the reader up with current Shakespearian research. This Hamlet edition is edited by G. R. Hibbard. It includes a general introduction that outlines the great tragedy's sources and history, including a lot of material concerning its early and contemporary production history. The text is taken from the Folio edition, but the volume also contains a textual introduction that explains the differences between the various Quarto editions and the Folio. In the text itself there are even notes to point out these differences. The footnotes do a great job of translating Shakespeare's English into more contemporary renderings. Even those new to Shakespearean English should have little trouble making their way through the text. The appendices outline even more distinctions between the various historical sources, sheet music for the songs in the play, and even material concerning the alterations made to the play's lineation. Once again, this edition was clearly designed with the serious scholar in mind. But even the casual Shakespeare reader will gain much from this edition.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Edition
Mar 11 2013
By Johnson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Absolutely fantastic edition. Amazing critical commentary. Best text layout I've seen for text v. footnotes. It makes reading very pleasant indeed.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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