Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Folger Edition)
Hamlet is Shakespeare's most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a revenge tragedy, in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father's murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties: What is the Ghost, Hamlet's father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder?
The authoritative edition of Hamlet from the Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play, newly revised explanatory notes placed on pages facing the text, scene-by-scene plot summaries, a key to the play's famous lines and phrases, an introduction to reading Shakespeare's language, an essay by leading Shakespeare scholar Michael Neill offering a modern perspective on the play, fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's rare book holdings and an up-to-date annotated guide to further reading.
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works and a magnet for scholars from around the globe. Beyond publishing, the Folger offers exhibitions, performances and programs throughout the year.
This book is featured on The Book Club with Michael Knowles, PragerU's show dedicated to the great books of Western civilization. In this episode, Michael Knowles is joined by Andrew Klavan to discuss the themes of inaction, appearance versus reality, doubt and truth in Shakespeare's greatest play, and how closely they still mirror modern society.
📺 Watch the episode: Andrew Klavan — Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Own this Folger Shakespeare Library edition of Hamlet, and discover why Shakespeare's most puzzling play still speaks so directly to doubt, truth and the difficulty of acting on what we know.
This Folger Edition features side-by-side text with explanations and annotations, making Elizabethan English accessible. Customers praised helpful notes, quality design, and affordable price. "The notes really help you understand the terms and language," one said. Some found print size small and language challenging, but most appreciated the educational support for studying Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
- The notes really help you understand the terms and language used in the play.
- Great background and context for the iconic play, explains many nuances of the text.
- I received a perfect score on my Hamlet Exam, and I credit that 100% to this edition!
Purchased to reread before going to see the new Hamnet movie as this play is said to be inspired by the death of Shakespeares son and wanted to see how the movie correlates both books and the play together into this movie (Hamnet By Maggie O’ Farrell). I have some of the other Pelican Shakespeare books and I enjoyed them.
In the past, I have always found Shakespeare very difficult to read and and study; however, this book absolutely changed that!The left side of each page is filled with notes, annotation, images, and explanations of the shakespearean phrases and language. This made reading and understanding the play SO much easier! I received a perfect score on my Hamlet Exam, and I credit that 100% to this edition!
The regular paper back version of this book is HUGE. it’s basically the size of a ruler. If you are wanting to read this out in public and not gather a bunch of attention or look ridiculous go with mass paperback or the hardcover. If your eyesight is not the best and you need bigger text this is a decent option. I will say that with this paper back I have not had any issues with pages falling out.
The Shakespeare Made Easy series makes reading the Elizabethan English understandable with the use of side-by-side text as oppose to traditional footnotes and annotation. By removing what is a reading obstacle for many, the plays of Shakespeare can be enjoyed for their brilliance and depth.With the side-by-side text, I found myself unconsciously bouncing between the 'old' and the 'new' English based on my interest and comprehension of the words and the play. With the translated version, for example, it made reading Hamlet's famous soliloquies a pleasure to ponder and to begin to understand.The editor's Introduction gives a concise overview of the life and times of William Shakespeare. It is certainly enough for the casual reader, and but just a rudimentary beginning for any serious student.I have a better understanding of Hamet today than I did when I was in college more than two decades ago. The Shakespeare Made Easy series makes reading these great plays fun at any age; and probably a prerequisite for the undergraduate.
Bought this for my brother. Book has good design, no idea about the content
This isn't about the contents of this book. Plenty of other places you can get that info. This review is about this version/printing. Good student version. Uncoated paper for pages, decent font size, lightweight binding. It'll last the semester. You won't wince at the price if you need to recycle at the end of school year.
Great movie
Delivery was quick and product was in good quality.
I've read several editions of Hamlet, seen the play once in live performance, and seen one film version. So far I've read only the prefatory material in this edition. Am glad that I bought it!
So many books and plays were made to honor Hamlet. This is my first time reading this play, yet I feel like I know it my whole life. That's the nature of Shakespeare's plays.
Great book and condition! Timely arrival too.
This book provides great background and context for the iconic play, and explains many nuances of the text and the play. The book includes the text of the play along with lots of commentary and explanations, side by side in an easily readable format. I bought the book because I was going to a production of the play by the Oakland Theater Project, in San Rafael, California in September 2025. I had studied this play decades ago in a college English class, but there was a lot I missed the first time through, and I learned a lot from the book which made purchasing it well worthwhile. There are several very good essays in the book about topics such as Shakespeare's language, Shakespeare's life, and a modern perspective on the play, which were well worth reading. Total cost with tax was less than $9, very reasonable.
Nice book arrived in good shape
Bought these books a my daughter's ap english class. Great deal!
Very nice book, methinks.
It's okay. Not really my thing. I only needed it for college.
Print size is pretty small, but works good for my English class :)
My favorite part is when hamlet dies and when we finish the book. I also liked when i was writing a review it asked if a wanted to follow William Shakespeare and i am i. Little confused how William is posting… soooo
The notes really help you understand the terms and language used in the play. In addition, it is a must read classic.
A very helpful book to help you rescind understand Hamlet!
read this book for school, it was good
Good read.
Hamlet, and probably like other plays of Shakespeare are difficult to read. Not smooth and I would recommend an annotated version of this p!ay.
I bought this book for my son and the content was useful for him
So happy to finally read this and understand where all the different quotes and sayings that we sometimes use come from
I’m a late comer to “all-things-Shakespeare” much to my shame. I’m close to the familiarly uttered lexicon that has been created from his mind and put to pen as well as the most repeated quotes from my comings and goings on the (modern) entertainment landscape.A title this well known and recognized must and should be experienced by all. Doing so also gives the best standard(s) to judge and measure anything that identifies itself as playwright material or as a novel submitted to capture the zeitgeist of its era.
Every page has explanations on facing page
Classic
My son needed this for his 12th period class and he expressed to me how impactful this book is.
Kid needed the book and bought it on Amazon, fast and easy.
