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M$1.00  Funded By Mahalo ? |  April 26, 2009 05:35 PM

Is Hamlet overrated?

William Shakespeare's Hamlet is considered to be one of the greatest pieces of literature, at least according to my high school English teachers. And yet, I'm not that impressed by a story about a prince whining about his daddy being dead while everything around him are falling apart. Do I think this because I missed something or is Hamlet not that great?
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April 27, 2009 05:25 AM
Hamlet is considered great for a variety of reasons - including that it's a great example of the sense of individualism that characterized the Renaissance. It is also considered to be the right balance of entertaining stuff like ghosts, sex, and violence, along with profound moral, philosophical, and psychological tensions.

However, although I like Hamlet, I do not agree that it is clearly the best play ever written the way some people do. I think it's great, but I don't think it's the best Shakespearean play. And you are not the first to think that it's about a petulant young jerk whose indecision is frustrating rather than tragic.

If it makes you feel better, famed poet and critic TS Eliot felt that Hamlet was Shakespeare's 'artistic failure' and thought that other Shakespearean plays were actually far superior. See:
http://articles.poetryx.com/50/


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Voted as best: cjd, sarabond, masontx
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April 26, 2009 11:34 PM
I think Hamlet has the components of a greek drama making it appealing.
Source(s):
Superstitution
Betrayal
Tradegy


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April 27, 2009 02:45 AM
The play vividly charts the course of real and feigned madness-from overwhelming grief to seething rage and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, moral corruption...Shakespeare's longest play and among the most powerful and influential tragedies...Hamlet is GREAT!
Source(s):
London Daily News, poll, 2000.


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Voted as best: demanda
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