Shakespeare: Hamlet

By Paul A. Cantor

Book Overview

In this useful guide, Paul Cantor provides a clearly structured introduction to Shakespeare's most famous tragedy. Cantor examines Hamlet's status as tragic hero and the central enigma of the delayed revenge in the light of the play's Renaissance context. He offers students a lucid discussion of the dramatic and poetic techniques used in the play. In the final chapter he deals with the uniquely varied reception of Hamlet on the stage and in literature generally from the seventeenth century to the present day.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521840031
• ISBN13: 9780521840033
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 118 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Hamlet in a Renaissance context

This is a great introduction to the play within a Reniassance context. The author does an admirable job in reconstructing the historical and literary contexts surrounding Hamlet. For example, the conflict which the play embodies between classical ideals of heroism and Christian skepticism is well-developed. Overall, this is the best place to begin any study of Hamlet, and it may be all you'll need. The language is clear and concise, in contrast to the pompous jargon-laden prose of so many "post-modern'" critics. Well-written, well-argued, well-informed: one of the best works available on this quintessential Renaissance play.

An intriguing introductory work

This is an outstanding book/monograph on that famously puzzling play of Shakespeare. Best of all is that this introduction to Hamlet includes--however briefly--astute comparisons between dialogue in William Shakespeare's Hamlet and in Samuel Beckett's work in general. That is bound to encourage the student or general reader to make some comparative investigations of his own. And that isn't the only time Cantor makes such an intriguing, sound observation. Shakespeare has a good steward here.

Great

This is the best boook on Hamlet available. No brief post can do it justice. If you are a student of Hamlet, get this book.