“An actor who is playing Hamlet should, perhaps, not write about the play. He has formulated his own opinions in order to portray the character as best he feels able. This means that, for the moment, he is set in his ideas about a character on the analysis of which the finest brains of critics and actors have been bent for three hundred and fifty years: so it may seem presumptuous of him to drag the cloak of his opinion in so vast an arena.” So begins Richard Burton’s insightful introduction to this volume. His decision not to review the play accords with mine for rather different reasons, given that others more knowledgeable would have so much more to offer.
I took this book into hospital for me but got no further than the first couple of scenes before I ran out of impetus for reading anything at all – certainly not
I continued at home over the last few days.
Here is the now rather fragile book jacket, looking pretty good after 70 years, and also
the front board design that adorns every issue in this series.
These are the special illustrations by Roger Furse.
This evening Becky, Ian , Jackie, and I all dined on Mr Pink’s battered cod and chips and mushy peas
A little light reading for the hospital. š Lovely illustrations in your volume.
Thanks very much, Merril š
You put your down time to very good use., Derrick.
Thank you very much, Pat
I still mix up each of his plays, despite doing one or two at school, homework with my children and watching a couple!
Me, too, Sue. Thanks very much
The illustrations reflect the play very well to my eye.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I was thinking that as well, Liz.
Those illustrations ARE special!
(((HUGS))) and continued get-well wishes!!! ā¤ļøā¤ļø
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
Hamlet brings back some very fond memories of a school excursion to Melbourne University to watch a stage/theatre performance of Hamlet … it was my introduction to a “live stage/play performance” … which I thorough enjoyed, yes! an unforgettable experience Derrick …
Hospital? I’m so far behind! What happened?
I know you have now caught up, Riba. Thank you so much. I hope your move is going well
Fabulous illustrations
Thank you very much, Sheree
That book jacket is looking impressively good after 60 years. Beautiful illustrations!
Thanks very much, Donna
Our Shakespeare Society read “Hamlet” last year – a fun way to experience the play after having studied it at university and explored it several times with pupils over the years. I smiled at your choice of reading matter for when I was bundled off to hospital several weeks before my second child was born I took with me the collected works of poems by Wordsworth!
A more ambitious choice than mine. I had, of course, read Hamlet a few times before and chose it because it was such a slim volume š My Wordsworth is a much larger volume, although an easier read. You might like this earlier post: https://derrickjknight.com/2013/01/29/wordsworth-and-me/. I will feature the Folio Society collection next.
Nicely done illustrations. Thanks for sharing these.
Much appreciated, Sherry
I really need to crack open my book of his complete works. Of course, that means it is heavy!!
Thanks very much, Dale
I remember reading Hamlet in high school, and we also had the Classics Illustrated comic book version of it which I read much earlier at the link below:
https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?ItemID=58060484
Your book has held up nicely, and I enjoyed the illustrations, Derrick. I agree with Richard Burton’s introduction.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. The comic shop version could be enticing
I think a well-known story might be just the thing in a hospital bed, better when it is slim. I think your choice was a good one, but of course you would have put any book down after the exhaustion of hospital treatment. It’s fun to finish up back home anyway.
Quite so, Crystal. Thank you very much
I majored in theater arts at university and saw several Hamlet productions. I remember reading it in school, though reading any play can be challenging. I’m glad you are back home, reading and writing, and keep us entertained. xo
Thank you so much, Alys XX
Terrific illustrations that look more like theatrical costume sketches deliver not only accurate and imaginative interpretations of the characters, but also a sense of the stage.
Thank you very much, Dolly