The Unbearable Bassington

Book excerpt: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" by William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and frequently performed plays in the English language. Written in the early 17th century, it tells the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who is deeply affected by the death of his father, the king. The play begins with Hamlet's encounter with the ghost of his deceased father, who reveals that he was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius. Claudius has since usurped the throne and married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Consumed by grief and a desire for revenge, Hamlet struggles with questions of existence, morality, and his own sanity as he devises a plan to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet" is renowned for its rich character development, complex themes, and famous soliloquies, including the iconic "To be, or not to be" speech. The play explores themes of revenge, madness, mortality, and the nature of action, making it a profound and enduring work in Shakespeare’s oeuvre.