Hamlet
Open Library readers: 4.02 / 5 from 176 ratings. Separate from ratings here.Catalogue checked 2026-10-02.
In this quintessential Shakespeare tragedy, a young prince's halting pursuit of revenge for the murder of his father unfolds in a series of highly charged confrontations that have held audiences spellbound for nearly four centuries. Those fateful exchanges, and the anguished soliloquies that precede and follow them, probe depths of human feeling rarely sounded in any art.
The title role of Hamlet, perhaps the most demanding in all of Western drama, has provided generations of leading actors their greatest challenge. Yet all the roles in this towering drama are superbly delineated, and each of the key scenes offers actors a rare opportunity to create theatrical magic.
Hamlet is a unique pleasure to read as well as to see and hear performed.
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- Who wrote Hamlet?
Hamlet is by William Shakespeare. The catalogue records its first publication in 1603. A later edition may have a different publication date on its copyright page.
- How long is Hamlet?
The catalogue records 192 pages for a representative edition. Pagination varies with the publisher, format, type size and translation, so check the edition you intend to read.
