Hamlet

4.0 avg 1086780 votes 31852 reviews 426028 want to read

About this book

In this quintessential Shakespeare tragedy, a young prince's halting pursuit of revenge for the murder of his father unfolds in a series of highly charged confrontations that have held audiences spellbound for nearly four centuries. Those fateful exchanges, and the anguished soliloquies that precede and follow them, probe depths of human feeling rarely sounded in any art. The title role of Hamlet, perhaps the most demanding in all of Western drama, has provided generations of leading actors their greatest challenge. Yet all the roles in this towering drama are superbly delineated, and each of the key scenes offers actors a rare opportunity to create theatrical magic. Hamlet is a unique pleasure to read as well as to see and hear performed.

4.0 ★★★★☆ average of 5 sources · 1086780 votes
Open Library 4.0 173
1★2★3★4★5★
Goodreads 4.0 1086780
1★2★3★4★5★

31,852 reviews · 426,028 want to read · 31,546 reading now

Apple Books 4.0 213
Google Books 5.0 4
Hardcover 4.0 1591

Reader Profile

Enjoyment81Difficulty100Influence100Popularity88Classic100
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4.0/5 · 1086780 readers · 190 pages · ≈ 3 h 31 m · Demanding

How long does it take to read Hamlet?

About ≈ 3 h 31 m — 190 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.Typical novel≈ 5 h 56 mHamlet~3 h 31 m

How many pages is Hamlet?

190 pages in its most-read edition.Typical novel320Hamlet190

What genre is Hamlet?

It sits on the Graphic Novels, Philosophy, Drama shelves.

Has Hamlet been made into a movie or TV show?

Yes — screen adaptations include Hamlet (2025), Ophelia (2019), Ophelia (2018), Haider (2014).

Is Hamlet in the public domain?

Yes — it is free to read and share.

Who are the main characters in Hamlet?

The main characters include Claudius, Hamlet, Polonius, Horatio.

Where does Hamlet take place?

It is set in Denmark, Norway, Great Britain during 1500-1700, 17 w., 1600-1601.

Who wrote Hamlet?

William Shakespeare.

Where can I read Hamlet online for free?

It is in the public domain — read it free on Open Library

Setting DenmarkNorwayGreat Britain Time period 1500-170017 w.1600-1601 Characters ClaudiusHamletPoloniusHoratio
Hamlet ★ 4.0 · 5 sources Read free Check price →