Hamlet: Translated into Normal

Hamlet is perhaps the greatest play ever written. It is undoubtedly the most quoted (non-religious) work of art ever written. Although it has been staged countless times, adapted into movies, inspired thousands of readers and authors, for most people much of its true meaning is lost in translation.

Here's one example that almost everybody who's ever read the play has missed: Did you know that when Hamlet put on the Dumb Play for the king's court, it wasn't the his brother who killed the Dumb King? It was his nephew. Hamlet's intent was definitely to gauge the King's guilty reaction upon seeing similar events to his own diabolical ascension to the throne unfold on stage. But did King Claudius see this as an accusation, like Hamlet intended, or a threat?

Here, we republish Shakespeare’s most famous play in its original form but interspersed with explanations and translations from the “Ye Olde English” in which it was written into normal, everyday English that can be easily understood by a modern day audience. Immediately following enigmatic words, phrases or paragraphs, plain English explanations are contained within these brackets .

If reading Shakespeare has proved more of a chore than an enjoyment for you, this easy-to-comprehend edition is the perfect remedy. We've kept the original text in its original format and simply put the explanations, translations, etc. right in line with them. There’s no need to ever lose your place.

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