Hamlet: A Study with the Text of the Folio of 1623

In Short

This volume presents the text of the First Folio of 1623 alongside extensive commentary. It explores the moral and spiritual crisis of a prince who, upon learning his father was murdered by his uncle, finds himself paralyzed by the complexity of his duty. By examining the play’s language and the prince’s interior life, the commentary reveals the tragedy not as a simple tale of revenge, but as a profound meditation on human nature, the burden of consciousness, and the necessity of justice, cementing its status as a cornerstone of literature.

The Story

In the cold air of Elsinore, a ghost haunts the battlements of the Danish castle, appearing to the guards and, eventually, to Prince Hamlet. The specter reveals a dark truth: Hamlet’s father, the late King, did not die of natural causes, but was murdered by his own brother, Claudius, who has since usurped the throne and married the widowed Queen, Gertrude. Hamlet is commanded by the ghost to avenge this foul deed, yet he is overwhelmed by the horror of the revelation and the corruption that has infected his home.

Hamlet struggles to reconcile his intellectual nature with the violent, singular duty demanded of him. He assumes a mask of madness to hide his intentions and probe the court for evidence of his uncle’s guilt, a strategy that leaves those around him—including his lover, Ophelia, and her father, Polonius—deeply unsettled. As he vacillates between action and reflection, he finds himself increasingly isolated. His decision to stage a play that mimics the murder of his father forces a reaction from Claudius, providing the proof he needs. However, in his agitation, Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, an act that ignites the fury of Laertes, Polonius’s son, and prompts the King to send Hamlet away to England with secret orders for his execution.

Hamlet escapes this fate through a series of fortunate turns and returns to Denmark, only to find that his delay has exacted a devastating cost. Ophelia, driven to madness by the loss of her father and her love for the prince, has perished, and Laertes is now a pawn in the King’s desperate scheme to eliminate Hamlet once and for all. A duel is arranged, poisoned to ensure the prince’s death. During the final encounter, the plot unravels in a cascade of tragedy: the Queen drinks from a poisoned cup, and both Laertes and Hamlet are struck by the lethal blade. As his life ebbs, Hamlet finally accomplishes his mission, killing the treacherous King. He leaves his friend, Horatio, to tell his story, as the prince dies having finally fulfilled the harsh necessity of his burden.

How It Unfolds

The revelation of ghost The tragedy begins with an apparition that challenges the order of the Danish court. It forces Hamlet to confront a reality where his own family is inextricably linked to the murder of his father.

The cloak of madness To shield his intentions, the prince adopts a veneer of instability. This performance allows him to observe the court while secretly grappling with the trauma of his mother’s marriage and his uncle’s deceit.

The play within the play Hamlet seeks to trap the King by mirroring the crime on stage. The resulting agitation in Claudius confirms his guilt and forces the prince to move from observation toward decisive action.

The exile and return A botched attempt to ship Hamlet to his death in England reveals his resilience and adaptability. He returns to Denmark, having survived his trial at sea, ready to face the final reckoning at home.

The final duel The story culminates in a scene of chaotic retribution where the machinations of the King are exposed. The tragedy concludes with the death of the royal family, leaving the future of the kingdom to others.

The People

Hamlet serves as the intellectual heart of the tragedy. He is a man of deep philosophic temperament who, when confronted with the reality of villainy, experiences a profound collapse of his youthful idealism. He must reconcile his duty to his father with his inherent moral nature, a conflict that forces him to examine the very meaning of life.

Claudius, the usurper King, stands as the antagonist whose corruption drives the drama. His conscience is haunted by his crime, yet he remains enslaved to his own ambition and desire. He is a man who recognizes the light but chooses the dark, and his efforts to maintain power through manipulation eventually lead to his own ruin.

Ophelia is a figure of tragic purity. Caught between the demands of her father and her love for Hamlet, she is unable to navigate the treacherous world of the court. Her descent into madness serves as a poignant reminder of the collateral damage caused by the sins of others.

Laertes and Polonius represent the courtly world of duty and appearance. Polonius is a man of rote, self-important in his counsel, while Laertes is driven by passion and the need for honor. Both men are caught in the wake of the prince’s decisions, their ends serving as a reflection of the court’s underlying instability.

In Its Own Voice

"A little more then kin, and lesse then kinde."

Hamlet uses this biting double entendre to describe his uncle and stepfather, Claudius, during his first appearance at court.

"The Head is not more Natiue to the Heart, / The Hand more Instrumentall to the Mouth, / Then is the Throne of Denmarke to thy Father."

The King uses these calculated words to manipulate Laertes, displaying his practiced art of using others for his own ends.

"What is a man / If his chiefe good and market of his time / Be but to sleepe and feede, a beast, no more?"

Hamlet reflects on the necessity of action, questioning the value of a life lived without purpose or moral resolve.

What It's Really About

At its core, this tragedy is a profound meditation on the struggle of an honest soul in a dishonest world. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of consciousness and the responsibility of the individual to act when faced with systemic evil. The text interrogates the tension between inner truth and public duty, suggesting that the most difficult task for a human being is to maintain integrity while navigating the corruption of others. It is an exploration of whether it is better to act in the heat of passion or to remain still, thinking too precisely on the outcome, and whether true success lies in the accomplishment of plans or the fulfillment of a moral end.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate psychological depth and the beauty of Elizabethan language will find this edition particularly rewarding. The inclusion of the original 1623 Folio text provides a direct connection to the work, while the commentary is written with a warmth that demystifies the more difficult archaic phrasing and obscure references. It is not always an easy experience; the density of the language and the complexity of the prince’s internal monologues require patience and attention.

However, the experience of reading this book is deeply resonant. Hamlet is not merely a legendary figure, but a man who feels the weight of the world, making his questions about death, duty, and truth feel startlingly relevant. You may struggle with the period attitudes toward madness and femininity, or the shifting, sometimes elliptical, nature of the verse, but these challenges are part of the journey. What stays with you long after the final page is the image of a man who, though broken by his circumstances, eventually finds a path to his own brand of justice. It is a work that rewards the thoughtful reader, offering a mirror to the human condition that remains as clear and unsparing today as it was centuries ago.