Book/Play Review: Othello by William Shakespeare

Author: William Shakespeare

Title: Othello

Genre: Classic, Tragedy, Fiction, Play

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 319

Published: 1603

Where I Got It: My shelf (my big bad book of William Shakespeare collection)

Summary: 

In Othello, Shakespeare creates a powerful drama of a marriage that begins with fascination (between the exotic Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona), with elopement, and with intense mutual devotion and that ends precipitately with jealous rage and violent deaths. He sets this story in the romantic world of the Mediterranean, moving the action from Venice to the island of Cyprus and giving it an even more exotic coloring with stories of Othello's African past. Shakespeare builds so many differences into his hero and heroine—differences of race, of age, of cultural background—that one should not, perhaps, be surprised that the marriage ends disastrously. But most people who see or read the play feel that the love that the play presents between Othello and Desdemona is so strong that it would have overcome all these differences were it not for the words and actions of Othello's standard-bearer, Iago, who hates Othello and sets out to destroy him by destroying his love for Desdemona. As Othello succumbs to Iago's insinuations that Desdemona is unfaithful, fascination—which dominates the early acts of the play—turns to horror, especially for the audience. We are confronted by spectacles of a generous and trusting Othello in the grip of Iago's schemes; of an innocent Desdemona, who has given herself up entirely to her love for Othello only to be subjected to his horrifying verbal and physical assaults, the outcome of Othello's mistaken convictions about her faithlessness.

Review:

Weeeeeeeee! This is one of my favorite plays by good ol' Willy. It's been an age since I read this so it was nice revisiting it. Last time I read this was 2009. But yes, it's been years!

The play follows a diverse set of characters in Venice. Othello and Lady Desdemona elope, Othello gets his dream job, and everything seems perfect. However, Iago is set on destroying everything in Othello's life out of spite and revenge. 

This is a true tragedy and it gets me every time. The characters and the story are flawless in my opinion. I truly think that this is William Shakey's best work. The drama is perfect for the stage. It's over-the-top in spots but it is a lovely nod to Italian plays that are known for being slightly melodramatic. 

And Iago.........he is the perfect villain. I hate him, but I love hating him. He is my favorite villain still to this day. He is a terrible, hateful man, but is he evil? Eh. He truly believes that he is doing the world a favor for destroying Othello. He doesn't do these evil things just for the sake of being bad. He thinks that he is doing everyone a favor, mainly himself. But he is so clever and calculating. Honestly, if he used his skills for ACTUAL good, then he would unstoppable in the world. He is just so blinded by his jealousy and hate, but he doesn't let this fully control him. He is able to trick everyone so wonderfully. *chef kiss* 

Othello and Desdemona. *sighs* You just want them to be happy. They are soooo in love and seem so perfect for each other. However......there is a shadow upon their love. Between society, Othello's insecurities, and Iago in the shadows....they are doomed.

What I love the most (if you've read past reviews you will be able to guess what I'm about to say here) is that everyone is flawed. They are complex and oh-so human. You have no idea what will happen. Othello seems so strong and confident, but he is still insecure and petty. Desdemona and Cassio are both so sweet, but so naive. Iago seems like he could be a great guy if hate didn't blind him. All the characters hide behind theirs masks so well (which ties nicely into the Venetian setting). And society's and time period's failings will take all these flaws and brew something tragic for our characters. 

I could go on and on about how much I love this play by William S!!!! I still need to see this live. I've seen the movie, but never a live rendition of this play. Bucket list!!!! Also, I need to do an audio of this story one day.

But yes, this is (so far) my absolute favorite of William Shakespeare's stuff. I still have a bunch to read but it will be hard to topple this from the top. 

The characters....the setting....the lies....the flaws.....the tragedy. A must-read/see/hear...anyway you can get your hands on it. 

5 stars for sure. 

- Favorite Character(s): Desdemona (bc she is so sweet), Cassio, & Othello

- Least Favorite Character(s): Iago (BUT I love to hate him. Little villain)

Book/Play Review: King Lear by William Shakespeare

Author: William Shakespeare

Title: King Lear

Genre: Classic, Fiction, Play, Tragedy

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 339

Published: 1605

Where I Got It: My shelf (my big bad book of William Shakespeare collection)

Summary: 

Shakespeare’s King Lear challenges us with the magnitude, intensity, and sheer duration of the pain that it represents. Its figures harden their hearts, engage in violence, or try to alleviate the suffering of others. Lear himself rages until his sanity cracks. What, then, keeps bringing us back to King Lear? For all the force of its language, King Lear is almost equally powerful when translated, suggesting that it is the story, in large part, that draws us to the play.

The play tells us about families struggling between greed and cruelty, on the one hand, and support and consolation, on the other. Emotions are extreme, magnified to gigantic proportions. We also see old age portrayed in all its vulnerability, pride, and, perhaps, wisdom—one reason this most devastating of Shakespeare’s tragedies is also perhaps his most moving.

Review:

My goal was to read one of these a year, but I do not think I read a Willie Shake last year. So I'll be reading two this year.

I've never read 'King Lear' before but I know the story well. 

The play tells us a story about families struggling between greed and cruelty or support and consolation. King Lear, an elderly king, decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters. He promises to give the largest share to the daughter who proves to love him the most. From there drama ensues when he is blinded by his ego. 

This is extremely tragic, but infuriating all at the same time. You want to shake King Lear and...to be fair....everyone. All the drama can be avoided if people JUST talk and chill. But we wouldn't have the story and the lessons that come from it. 

People claim this is one of William Shakespeare's greatest works, but I found it...good. I honestly still love 'Othello' the best though. I still have a few plays to finally read but I can safely say my favorite still sits firmly on top at the moment. However, this was pretty entertaining. 

The poetry and the drama is addicting. You won't want to set it down. I finished this in just a couple of sittings. 

The ending is tragic and sad. It was done very well. You don't have to be a literature master to understand what lessons are being taught here. It was done loud and proud, but WS has a way of not telling you, but showing you. I find he is the King of this. 

My favorite aspect of this play is that EVERYONE is complex and so very human. Sure you can point at a person or two and say they are the baddies, but they aren't evil (at least from my viewpoint). Yes, bad things happen and dumb things occur, but everyone is just so human. If you know me.....I love a complex set of characters. 

All-in-all, this is a must-read classic. Not my fave by the ol' Shakeyspeare, but it's in the top 5. It's entertaining and addicting. Lots of dumb people doing dumb things, but it is teaching a lesson or two. You can't help but feel bad for these characters. They all are complex and so very human. I'll give this 5 stars. 

(You know me...changing things up...and I'm reviving this!)

- Favorite Charater(s): Cordelia

- Least Favorite Character(s): Lear's other two daughters and (let's be honest) Lear.

HAMILTON in Wharton Center

 

Hi all!

At the beginning of April, my soon-to-be hubby, some friends, and I went to see the play 'Hamilton' live at Wharton Center! We bought the tickets months ago gambling on how COVID would play out. We got lucky and COVID has been pretty calm around us and Lansing. 

It is not the original cast, but I did enjoy this cast. They played their roles well and added their own charm and twists. 

I was so happy to see they had the revolving stage! I was nervous because I couldn't tell from my seat, but when the play got running and the stage moved...I was excited. The revolving stage idea is fantastic for musicals that have a large cast and it can be used for so many things. The symbolism is strong!!!!

Watching the play on Disney+ with the original cast will always hold a special place in my heart, but the play at Wharton made me re-love the play all over again. I wish I could go see it again and again and again. Plus...seeing this LIVE was a special experience and I am so glad we could make it.  

Movie/Broadway Play Review: HAMILTON

Film Title: Hamilton (2020)

Length:     2h 40min  
Released:    3 July 2020 (USA) (2016 for the actual performance)
Genre:  Biography, Drama, History, Musical, Play
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:
The real-life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

I've wanted to see this live for soooo long. I love musicals and I love history (duh). Thank you Disney + for being awesome and getting this for all of us! 

The story is mainly about Alexander Hamilton who was America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury. His story is rarely told for numerous reasons. This play showcases his story. 

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! I have watched this twice already. I watched it with a couple of pals and then the next day I forced BF to watch it with me. I plan to watch it again in the next couple of days. I've even listened to the album on YouTube. 

The music is fantastic. It's fun and fresh. It really gets stuck in your head. 

The acting is wonderful! I am always in awe of those that can sing, dance, and act and every single actor can. They really bring the story alive. 

The way the story is told is fantastic as well. They cover so many years in 2 hours and 40 mins and it didn't feel like we were missing too much and I feel they stuck with the real historical facts as much as possible. 

And yes - this is mainly about Alexander Hamilton and his legacy he was trying to create, but it was nice to see the other characters and learn more about them.

I will admit I was worried this was going to be corny and feel like one of those plays of lame people trying to make something boring cool and "appease the youth" (you know those plays or sketches I'm talking about especially in school). I was worried for sure, but my worries were for naught. This wasn't corny at all and it really made these historical figures feel real and alive telling their stories. 

Jefferson's coming home song is my favorite. It cracked me up. 

I also loved, loved, LOVED King George's solos. He was a hoot. 

Okay - I'll end now before I ramble too long. But this was fantastic. I still want to see this live but this is a good alternative and I loved this cast so much. I highly recommend you watch it. It is SO worth it. 

5 stars...of course. 

Book/Play Review: Antigone by Sophocles

Author: Sophocles
Title: Antigone (The Theban Plays #3)
Genre: Fantasy, Classic, Drama, & Play
Pages: ebook
First Published: 441 BC
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Bought a copy at B&N)

The daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, Antigone is an unconventional heroine who pits her beliefs against the King of Thebes in a bloody test of wills that leaves few unharmed. Emotions fly as she challenges the king for the right to bury her own brother. Determined but doomed, Antigone shows her inner strength throughout the play.

Antigone raises issues of law and morality that are just as relevant today as they were more than two thousand years ago. 

This is the third part of the Oedipus trilogy. However, Oedipus is dead and now leaves his curse upon all his children. His sons' are fighting each other over the throne which causes both of them to die. Antigone and her sister are left to carry the curse now and deal with. The new King refuses to let them bury the dead. So in perfect tragedy fashion, Antigone says FU and does it anyways, which signs her own death warrant. 

This, honestly, was the best of the three plays. I liked Antigone and her loyalty to her cursed family is beautiful. She loves her dad and mom even though they cursed them. 

I felt bad for Antigone's fiance, because he is in a difficult position. He loves his father (which is the new King) and Antigone defied his father. Poor guy. 

The new King is an idiot. SMH! FOOL! He deserves the curse that was given to him in the end. 

I feel this story was a huge influence over Shakespeare and his works. This felt very Shakespearean even though it come out centuries before Shakespeare was even alive. I'm not sure if good ol' Billy was influence by Sophocles works, but after reading this, I felt like maybe he was. 

This play brings up lots of moral and ethical questions. Which I love when stories make me think!

My only complaint is the chorus parts. Like...I still don't understand who/what they are suppose to represent? Are they ghosts? Or just spectators who happen to be in the room? They don't really do anything to help move the story along in my opinion. 

In the end, this was the best of the three plays, in my opinion. It had a lot going on, but it was done in a way where its easy to know who's who and whats going on. I loved the brief romance and I loved the aspect that this really makes you think. In the end, I will stamp it with 4 stars. 

Book/Play Review: Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles

Author: Sophocles
Title: Oedipus at Colonus (Play 2 in trilogy)
Genre: Classics, Play, Drama, and Fantasy
Pages: 144
First Published: 401BC
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Bought a copy at B&N)

At the center of the play is the mysterious transformation of Oedipus from an old and blind beggar, totally dependent on his daughters, to the man who rises from his seat and, without help, leads everyone to the place where he is destined to die. In the background of this transformation stands the grove of the Furies, the sacred place of the implacable goddesses who pursue the violators of blood relationships. Although Oedipus, who killed his father and married his mother, is an obvious target of the Furies' vengeance, he enters their grove at the beginning of the play, sure that it is the resting place Apollo has predicted for him. The reversals and paradoxes in the play speak to the struggle that Oedipus' life and the action of the play bring vividly before us: how do we as humans, subject to constant change, find stable ground on which to stand and define our moral lives? 




This is the second part of the well-known story of Oedipus. This follows the man after he was banished from his kingdom in disgrace and blinded. His one daughter, Antigone, has decided to stay with him and be his eyes. 

Oohhhh the poor man. He is for sure haunted by what the Fates did to him. It was his fault at all, but yet, he is being punished. Poor, poor guy. I also feel bad for his kids. Not his sons, because his sons are A-holes and I’m glad they are now cursed! I’m curious to see how that ends up in the next play. 

I’ll be honest…I had no idea that this was technically a “trilogy”. I thought the story ended with Oedipus running off gouging his own eyes out. However, I guess there is more to the tale than I realized! In many ways, Oedipus does redeem and the Fates give him a break of sorts. He deserved it. A part of me liked this one better than the first part. 

Mhm. I wasn’t a huge fan of the chorus parts. I’m used to choruses having a big role in this story, but it was not done that well in this one. 

Also, this was kinda slow going. True, it was supposed to be just an arch and epilogue. Oedipus’ story is now completed, but the next play will center on his daughter, Antigone. I am curious and I’ll be checking that out soon.

In the end, this was an eh for me. It was interesting to continue the story on the poor man who was tricked by the evil Fates to marry his mom. It was more of an arch that is important to the tale, but still…it is just there. I am curious to see what happens in the next part! I shall stamp this with 3 stars.  It was a hair better than the first part of the story. 

Book Review: Faust Part 1

Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Title: Faust (Part 1)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic, and play 
Pages: 432
First Published: 1787
Where I Got It: In school textbook

" Faust has made the legendary German alchemist one of the central myths of the Western world. Here indeed is a monumental Faust, an audacious man boldly wagering with the devil, Mephistopheles, that no magic, sensuality, experience, or knowledge can lead him to a moment he would wish to last forever. Here, in Faust, Part I, the tremendous versatility of Goethe’s genius creates some of the most beautiful passages in literature. Here too we experience Goethe’s characteristic humor, the excitement and eroticism of the witches’ Walpurgis Night, and the moving emotion of Gretchen’s tragic fate."

I've heard such good things about this book, so I was a wee bit excited that I had to read this in my World Literature class this semester. 

The first few pages I was actually really into the story and the characters, but soon...well....I fell out of love. I could barely pay attention and I had to set the book aside and return later to push myself through. The thing is that is wasn't "boring" or lacking action. It was actually a fast pace story with deep philosophical meaning and "entertaining". I...well...just didn't care. 

Dr. Faust was a blooming idiot and a perve and honestly deserved future damnation for his sins. What he did to Gretchen and her family was horrible. My teacher and her lecture tried to convince me that he falls into the "tragic hero" category. No. To be a hero you have to be good of heart and try to do good even though you ultimately fail due to your flaws. The only good part about him was his intelligence and the want of more knowledge. However, that is not what he gets. People debate that he gained life knowledge instead of text knowledge. I can see that point, but he was a horrible, horrible man. With every turn of page I couldn't help but shake my head at him and be annoyed. 

Like many other novels, I would have preferred to read this in the original language, but alas it is not available to me and I do not speak a lick of German, so it would do me no good anyways. Sighs. However, I doubt it would change how I feel.

The ending was pretty good I might admit. I certainly did NOT expect what happened. It was a little cliff-hanger-ish, but it was done in a way that you don't have to continue onto the second part. I doubt I will read the second part, because it was not assigned. haha. I'm a horrible person and I am content with what I have read. I do not care what happens to Dr. Faust. I'm done with him.

In the end, I wish I had liked this more...but I hated Dr. Faust. The other characters where more entertaining then him. Hell, I liked the demon, Mephistopheles, more then I did him. Even though this isn't my favorite book of the year, I'm glad I read this, but was an interesting concept. I would recommend this to those that like the classics. This shall be stamped with 2 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): No one really....I did get a kick out of Mephistopheles...he was an interesting character. 
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Dr. Faust (*sighs*) 

Book/Play Review: The Odyssey by Homer

Author: Homer
Title: The Odyssey
Genre: Classic, Play, Adventure, and Fantasy
Pages: ebook
First Published: 800 BC
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Free ebook)

"The poem mainly centers on the Greek hero Odysseus and his journey home after the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach Ithaca after the ten-year Trojan War. In his absence, it is assumed he has died, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a group of unruly suitors, the Mnesteres or Proci, who compete for Penelope's hand in marriage."





This is my second time reading this play/book. The first time was in High School and I had been blessed to be able to read this with the teacher and other students (it was a joint effort). It was a fun time and I loved the book! This time, though, I was left on my own to read it for my Lit class in college. 

It's a much different experience reading it on your own compared to reading it together with a whole bunch of people. It was still good, but it was harder to get through. Yes, I struggled to get through it the second time, especially because I decided to read ALL of it (my teacher did just give us selected parts to read, but I wanted to be a cool kid). Sighs. Lesson to me...just listen to my teacher. haha. 

Again...I still hate Odysseus. >___> I get being gone for 10 years during the Trojan War, but it taking 10 years to find your way home? PAH-lease. Maybe if you stayed a loyal and stayed on course then you wouldn't have had issues getting the homes. I'm glad the Gods gave you a hell of time (especially Poseidon), because you are an ass and Penelope should have married someone else. Meh. If I was Penelope and found out that I waited 20 years for a man who had cheated on me while I stayed loyal and pure for him, I would be sooooooo angry. She probably never finds out, because it is no biggy for a man to cheat on his wife. Meh.

ANYWAYS!

Sorry for my rant up there. haha

It is a little slow in some parts, but it was definitely an adventure that adheres to all readers. I'm glad that they showed Penelope's story as well as Odysseus'. It showed that the battle is not only fought on the battlefield, but also at home. It's hard being the one left behind especially with men pounding at your door wanting your hand in marriage and your husbands throne. It's tough. 

In the end, I still enjoyed this story even though it was harder not skipping some of the boring parts that teachers usually have students skip. I'm glad I did it, though, because I feel I have a deeper connection to the book and the characters. This would be super awesome to see performed live! I recommend this to those that love classics and adventures! Out of five stars, I shall keep this stamped at 5 stars. It is more like 4.5, but since I don't give decimals, I rounded. 

Favorite Character(s): Penelope, Achilles (just because I always envision Brad Pitt), and Telemachus.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Helen of Troy, Odysseus, and the Cyclops. 

Book/Play Review: Oedipus the King

Author: Sophocles
Title: Oedipus the King/Rex (Oedipus #2)
Genre: Play, classic, adventure, and tragedy
Pages: ebook
First Published: 429 BC
Where I Got It: On my shelf (free download)


"Oedipus Rex chronicles the story of Oedipus, a man who becomes the king of Thebes while in the process unwittingly fulfilling a prophecy that he would murder his father Laius and marry his mother Jocasta. The play is an example of a classic tragedy."





Oooooooooh Oedipus I knew I would have to read your story soon. It was a matter of time. Yes, I was forced to read this in my LIT411 class. *Sighs* I've been avoiding this story for a while. It's odd, because I do love classics and I do love tragedies, but I just never wanted to read this for myself. Perhaps it is because we all know how this story ends. It does not end happy, because all the nasty secrets come out...especially if that involves incest. 0.0

Granted, I actually feel kinda bad for Oedipus, because pop culture makes it sound like he purposely killed his dad to get into his mother's panties. No. That is not the case here. It was all stupid accident and fate. I blame the mother and father for this fate happening, because they abandoned their son on a mountain, so they would avoid the "prophecy" of the baby killing the dad and sleeping with the mom. They created their own fates. Sorry. I don't feel bad for the parents. 

Now...Oedipus is not all completely forgivable. He did murder someone and robbed them (it just happened to be his papa that he didn't know was his papa). Granted, he did redeem himself by saving the town and becoming king. He married the widow and had some kids. Okay, whatever....but then he got all high and mighty and wanted to find that blasted murder of the king. People warned him (especially the seer), but he didn't listen and look what happened. He found out the truth and ruined everyone's lives. 

This was an interesting play and I would like to see it actually performed. However, all the characters irked me, especially Mama Queen and the late Father. *shakes my head* They caused this. The only character I liked was Creon, but there is a foreshadow of his own doom later on in the third part of the saga. Power corrupts all.

In the end, this play was better then I expected, but I still not my favorite of classical plays/stories. I'm glad that Oedipus wasn't a weirdo like pop culture makes him out to be (especially Freud), because he doesn't willingly sleep with his mother. HE DID NOT KNOW! Anyways....I would recommend this to those that like the classics and especially love the tragic stories. This is defiantly up there! I shall stamp this with 2 stars. 

Favorite Character(s):  Creon
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Jocasta, Laius, and Oedipus

Book/Play Review: Lysistrata by Aristophanes

Author: Aristophanes
Title: Lysistrata
Genre: Play, Humor, and classic
Pages: ebook
First Published: 411 BC
Where I Got It: On my shelf (free download)

"Aristophanes' play, Lysistrata, takes place toward the end of the Peloponnesian War and centers on the lives of the soldiers' wives. One woman, Lysistrata, under the impression that a man's libido is ultimately his driving force in life, comes up with an interesting peace solution: to deny their husbands sexual relations until they can settle on a peace agreement that will end the war. However, Lysistrata's strategy effectively creates even more war than before as the sexes begin to feud with each other. Aristophanes' play is both comic and poignant as it reveals the relationship between men and women in classical Athens society."

I heard of this a long time ago and it peaked my interest, but I never really gave it a shot. Now that I am taking LIT411, this was an assigned reading and I was excited!

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh you Ancient Greeks you. You know how to make me a happy kid. This was just a classic satire piece of the time. Honestly, if you don't laugh out loud at least once while reading this (or watching this) then you have no humor. I felt bad, because I read this for a little bit during our road trip to Ohio and I couldn't help but just laugh! You just can't help it.

I really want to watch this performed live, but I doubt I'll ever get the pleasure. :/ Oh well, I guess. Just watching a rendition on YouTube or whatever will sate me...I guess. 

The only thing I really didn't like was some of the chorus parts. Some where funny, but it got old at some points. I'm glad the writer took a break and had dialogue of the characters again. Other then that, I adored this play. I know I'll be re-reading this in the future. 

In the end, this was fun and funny. People who love plays and love a good laugh will enjoy this play. It is free online, which is where I got my copy, but be careful with translation you get, because there are a couple out there that kind of suck. 0.0 Well, I shall stamp this with 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Lysistrata, Calonice, and the Old Men (they were a riot!)
Not-so favorite Character(s): The Magistrate

Book/Play Review: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Author: William Shakespeare
Title: Hamlet
Genre: Drama, Classic, Play
Pages: 42
First Published: 1603
Where I Got It: On my shelf (my big bad book of William Shakespeare

"A tragedy by William Shakespeare. Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet exacts on his uncle Claudius for murdering King Hamlet, Claudius's brother and Prince Hamlet's father, and then succeeding to the throne and taking as his wife Gertrude, the old king's widow and Prince Hamlet's mother. The play vividly portrays both true and feigned madness—from overwhelming grief to seething rage—and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption."

Well...I'm going to divide and conquer this review. ^.^

The Good

• Drama, drama, and more drama. Though I hate drama in real life, I LOVE Billy's world of drama
• Liked Young Hamlet, even though he wasn't the brightest bulb in the fixture at times.
• The madness was hilarious and tragic all at the same time
• Keep me on the edge of my seat! I wanted Claudis to get what was coming to him.
• It was complex and you all know how I love my complex stories
• It was a quick read, perhaps its just goes to me either getting use to Billy's use of language OR the fact I had to read this for class...perhaps both. 
• Loved the fact that the "villains" of the story were complex and not the A-typical baddie, even Claudis seems to be a little villain-isc though...
• Loved the idea of the ghost aspect. It really added darkness and something unique to this. Also, it was a nice twist and made you think. Could Hamlet be crazy? Or is this ghost thing legit?

The Bad and the Ugly

• The ending. 
• The fact that the Queen married her brother-in-law. That made me mad. Gah, stupid chit.
• I hated the fact that Hamlet was dumb and sensitive and easily distracted...Heck if I was Papa Hamlet I would have not asked Hamlet to do this task of revenge. Tsk. 

Conclusion

This was pretty good and I can see why this was one of the most famous of Billy Shakespeare's plays (behind 'Romeo & Juliet'). It was really good and entertaining. I really should watch it in action, be it a movie or a play. The characters were amazing and complex. I liked Young Hamlet, but he was a sensitive fool at times. I also loved the adding of the ghost made this special and unique. However, though this was really good I loathed the ending. Gah. Made me mad. >.> Anyways....I would recommend this for those that love the classics or are looking for a good play/book. I grant this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Young Hamlet (at times he annoyed me, though), the Ghost of Papa Hamlet, and Laetres. 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Young Hamlet (sensitive fool) and Queen Gertrude (*grumbles*) 

*CaroleRae*