Comments on: A Few Words on ‘Hamlet’ — Were Your English Teachers Right When They Told You That the Prince of Denmark Was a Man of Inaction?

By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom

1minutebookreviewswordpresscom — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:38:32 +0000

Any comparisons would be great. Oprah’s book club has 2 million “members.” And I’m sure many will be wondering which edition of “Hamlet” to get. Thanks.

When looking into classics, I often read a page or two of the introduction in bookstores or libraries before I pick up the book. A great introduction can be worth more than supplemental materials that are available online.

By: speedytexaslibrarian

speedytexaslibrarian — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:47:47 +0000

Well, I’m no scholar, but I’ve got some of both. The “New” editions are thicker and edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, while the originals were edited by Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. Lamar. I’ll get back to you later with a comparison of “New” and original for the same play.

By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom

1minutebookreviewswordpresscom — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:45:12 +0000

Yes, they’re great. That’s why I showed the Folger edition of “Hamlet.” The Folger Library http://www.folger.edu/ is also an excellent Shakespeare resource.

While looking for a Folger cover to show, I noticed that there are “Folger” and “New Folger” editions, and I haven’t compared the two. I’d love to have comments from a librarian or scholar who has used both.

By: speedytexaslibrarian

speedytexaslibrarian — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:37:56 +0000

Not really related – but I just wanted to mention that the Folger Shakespeare Library editions of Shakespeare’s plays are by far the best I’ve ever found. I own every single one in paperback, and that set was among the few books that made the move with me from Washington back home to Texas.