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William Shakespeare wrote the play, Hamlet, nearly 430 years ago. It is arguably his most celebrated work, and is certainly his most performed. Nearly everyone can recite at least part of its famous soliloquies (as in: "To be or not to be...") Rich in psychological complexity, the play captures nearly the entire range of human emotion: grief, betrayal, anger, love (or the lack thereof), and fear. It touches on political, social, and familial issues. And while it was written centuries ago, the tragedy at its most elemental is about the nature of human indecision, the choices we make, and the consequences we must live with as a result -- issues we continue to grapple with today.
This series on Zoom invites participants to examine and enjoy Hamlet. We will read the play individually and as a group, with background material, moderated discussions, and an open discussion forum. Our goal is to offer participants a better understanding of Hamlet and its antecedents, to provide a welcoming environment for discourse, and to consider the drama’s legacy up to the present day.
At the end of the series, everyone is encouraged to watch the 1996 movie Hamlet, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, the only unabridged film version of the classic play. The movie is four hours long and is available on DVD from seven libraries within UHLS. Or, you can watch it at home on a streaming service of your choice. As a group we will choose a date and time to reconvene and talk about the film!
A limited number of print copies of the play for you to read and keep will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Stop by the Adult Information desk to pick up a copy! The play is also widely available online, including here at Project Gutenberg.
Your registration signs you up for all the discussion programs. You will receive the Zoom link when you register, and again the day before each session.
This series is made possible with funding from Humanities New York. Founded in 1975, Humanities New York is the sole statewide proponent of public access to the humanities. Your presenter is Giacomo Calabria, author, history lecturer, and frequent facilitator for Humanities New York.
