Product Description

Using the complete, unabridged text established in the New Cambridge Shakespeare edition, Naxos are making an audio version (cassettes and compact disks) of Hamlet. The set of four CDs or tapes is accompanied by notes and a play synopsis. It features Anton Lesser in the title role, supported by Edward de Souza as Claudius, Susan Engel as Gertrude, and Emma Fielding as Ophelia. With the CDs, the listener may listen to individual scenes or speeches by the use of access points. The CUP version features the New Cambridge Shakespeare design and logo.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1630321 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10-23
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 4
• Binding: Audio Cassette

Amazon.co.uk Review
Undoubtedly the most famous of all of Shakespeare's plays, Hamlet remains one of the most enduring but also enigmatic pieces of western literature. The story of Hamlet, the young Prince of Denmark, his tortured relationship with his mother, and his quest to avenge his father's murder at the hand of his brother Claudius has fascinated writers and audiences ever since it was written around 1600.

For many years interest focused on both Hamlet's inability to avenge his father's death, claiming that "the native hue of resolution / Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought", and, according to none other than Freud, his oedipal fixation with his mother. However, more recently critics have turned their attention to Hamlet's bold theatrical self-reflexivity (most famously reflected in the performance of "The Mousetrap"), its fascination with issues of theology and Renaissance humanism, and its dense, complex poetic language. What is so remarkable about the play is the way in which it tends to uncannily reflect the concerns of different epochs. As a result, Hamlet has been at different moments defined as a romantic rebel, an angst-ridden existentialist, a paralysed intellectual and an ambivalent New Man. Whatever subsequent generations make of Hamlet, they are unlikely to exhaust the possibilities of this most extraordinary play. --Jerry Brotton

Review
‘These tapes are invaluable not just because of the quality of the diction and presentation but because they are based on the complete text as established by Philip Edwards for the New Cambridge Shakespeare edition of the plays. They may be used in conjunction with the plays or simply listened to for the sheer joy of hearing Shakespeare’s wonderful language without having to endure the absurdities of so many modern productions.’ Contemporary Review

‘Well worth acquiring for any good audio collection.’ AVL-Multimedia Information

‘The play’s the thing here - no tricks or special effects, just lots of lovely Shakespeare, acted with punch and panache … an impressive treat - and, at not much more than a tenner for a full text on four CDs, an affordable one.’ The Irish Times

About the Author
G. R. Hibbard is dead

Customer Reviews

Best footnotes I've ever seen.
Very easy to follow and wonderfully simply explained textual footnotes make this a very user friendly Hamlet.

Best Version of the Best Play!
Great version of the classic with incredibly detailed footnotes and a clear and well presented text. Hamlet is not only the greatest of Shakespeare's plays but one of the greatest books in the English language; beautifully written, flawlessly structured, with a dozen deftly woven subplots all open to countless interpretation. At times you can almost taste the words in your mouth like honey. What more could any literate human being want from fiction? And remember, Shakespeare was written to be spoken, so lock all the doors, sit down and read it out aloud.

I Loved This Book!!!
This book is an excellent way to read Shakespeare. The many "Foreign" words and phrases of old english are explained on the facing page. Shakespeare is not that difficult to read, it just takes some practice. This book helps a lot.