Hamlet: The First ('Bad') Quarto: Play Guide and Free Edition

Hamlet: The First ('Bad') Quarto is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Shakespeare, William (1564–1616).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Hamlet" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written between 1599 and 1601. Set in Denmark, the play follows Prince Hamlet as he grapples with his father's death and his mother's hasty remarriage to his uncle Claudius. When a ghost reveals a dark secret about murder and betrayal, Hamlet vows revenge but struggles with uncertainty and madness—both feigned and real. Considered one of the most powerful tragedies in English literature, this story of deception, loyalty, and vengeance continues to captivate audiences centuries later.

Book and edition facts

• Title: Hamlet: The First ('Bad') Quarto
• Author credits: Shakespeare, William (1564–1616)
• Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

• Denmark -- Drama
• Fathers -- Death -- Drama
• Hamlet (Legendary character) -- Drama
• Kings and rulers -- Succession -- Drama
• Murder victims' families -- Drama
• Princes -- Drama
• Revenge -- Drama
• Tragedies (Drama)

Gutenberg collections

• Best Books Ever Listings
• Category: British Literature
• Category: Classics of Literature
• Category: Plays/Films/Dramas

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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.