Hamlet

William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

5.0

Word count: 312K words
Chapters: 32

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Hamlet by William ShakespeareAuthor: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616,Language: French, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Feb 13, 2005

Editor's review

This is an electronic edition of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, released by Project Gutenberg in its French-language version. As the earliest provider of free electronic books, Project Gutenberg offers relatively reliable texts, making this suitable as an introduction to or comparison text for this classic tragedy. The work itself centers on the Danish prince Hamlet's revenge and touches on enduring themes such as hesitation, moral dilemma, and reflections on life and death; its dramatic conflict is concentrated, its lines are rich in philosophical depth, and it is one of the most discussed works in Western literary history. This edition is in French, so readers need some grounding in the language, or may use it as a reader combining language learning with literary appreciation. Readers accustomed to reading in Chinese are advised to consult a Chinese translation alongside it; for those studying the dissemination and translation of Shakespeare, this edition also has some reference value. While reading, pay attention to the soliloquies and the tensions in the characters' relationships, and after finishing, further explore through stage adaptations or criticism.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary enthusiasts with some French who wish to read Shakespeare's plays in the original
Students and researchers studying the translation and dissemination of Shakespeare's works
Readers who enjoy tragedy and revenge themes and are willing to read closely into characters' psychology
Learners who need French literary reading material for language practice

Not a good fit for

Readers with no French at all who only want to read a Chinese translation
Primary and secondary school students expecting a modern vernacular rewrite or simplified version
Advanced researchers seeking detailed annotations and scholarly introductions

Reading tips

First learn the plot outline and the main characters' relationships before entering the French text, to lower the threshold of understanding.
Read Hamlet's soliloquies aloud, focusing on rhythm and tone, without needing to check every word.
Read alongside a Chinese translation and note how key lines are handled differently.
After finishing, watch a stage or screen adaptation and revisit the text's clues for dramatic staging.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this edition in Chinese or English?

According to the information, this edition is in French and is a free e-book provided by Project Gutenberg. The main text is therefore in French, not Chinese or English; please confirm your language needs before reading.

Can I read this book without any French?

You can try, but it will be rather difficult. It is advisable first to read a Chinese translation to understand the plot, then use a dictionary or a parallel translation to browse the French original, treating it as a combination of language learning and literary appreciation rather than pure leisure reading.

What are the features of the Project Gutenberg edition?

Project Gutenberg is the earliest project providing free e-books, and its texts are mostly public-domain works that are easy and inexpensive to access. This edition is suitable for introductory reading or comparison reference, but it usually does not include detailed scholarly annotations or introductions.

What should I focus on when reading this play?

You can focus on Hamlet's soliloquies, the psychological motives behind the delay of revenge, the tensions in the characters' relationships, and the play's reflections on life and death, morality, and action. These are the core issues for which the work has long been discussed and are also convenient for discussion after reading.

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About the author

William Shakespeare Author · English · 1564–1616

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was the greatest playwright, poet and actor of the English Renaissance. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, he is known as the "Bard of Avon." He wrote roughly thirty-seven to thirty-nine plays, one hundred and fifty-four sonnets and narrative poems. His representative works include Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. His works span tragedy, comedy and history play, distinguished by rich, poetic language and profound characterization. His explorations of human nature, power, love and fate have had a lasting influence, and his works have been translated into many languages and circulated widely around the world.