Hamlet for beginners...

Hamlet  - Shakespeare Stories by Andrew Matthews & illustrated by  Tony Ross 

Hamlet For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun!) by Lois Burdett 

Are you struggling to understand the basics of Hamlet? 

• Who is Yorrick and why is he a skull? 
• Why is Hamlet so depressed all the time? 
• What happened to Ophelia? 
• What is the play within the play all about?

All these questions and more will answered in these two easy to follow adaptations of Hamlet. The story is re-told in plain English to help you understand the complexities of the plot. The addition of terrific illustrations is a bonus and helps bring the story to life. This is a great introduction to the play for students who are reading it for the first time, or are completely bamboozled by the more mainstream versions. Don't be put off by the title - these are for everyone! 

No fear Shakespeare

No Fear Shakespeare Hamlet

So you are sitting at home and you have to write an essay on Hamlet. You have the text that the teacher has given you. You have no idea what it all means... I mean we don't talk like that now... You are breaking out in a sweat... You have bitten all your nails down... It all looks like gobbley gook....
What you need is the No Fear Shakespeare texts. These are available in book form, but I love the handy on line version. This is published by sparknotes, part of Barnes and Noble, and goes through each scene with a side by side translation of Shakespeare's English into every day English. Just what you need when you have to analyse the plot... now you can finally understand what they are actually saying to each other.

This...
ROSENCRANTZ

He does confess he feels himself distracted.

But from what cause he will by no means speak.

GUILDENSTERN

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded.

But with a crafty madness keeps aloof

When we would bring him on to some confession

Becomes this...
ROSENCRANTZ
He admits he feels confused, but refuses to say why.
GUILDENSTERN

And he’s not exactly eager to be interrogated. He’s very sly and dances around our questions when we try to get him to talk about how he feels. (Crowther, ed. 2005)

The website also has a short 8 minute video of an animated synopsis of the play which is great way to fill in the gaps and allows you to follow the play in its entirety, rather than just as sections of text.

These resources are a must for any assignment that relies on understanding the intricacies of the language. But don't forget to cite the editor if you do use them in your assignment. You don't want to get caught for plagiarising. The website also has a handy page on how you should cite the site to make it easier for you. 

No fear shakespeare Video Spark Note

Crowther, J. (Ed.). (2005). No Fear Hamlet. Retrieved from http://nfs.sparknotes.com/hamlet/

Young Adult interpretation - John Marsden

Hamlet 

by John Marsden

This book is not for adults (and not for kids either)! The language and concepts would be too confronting for them. However if they catch you reading it they will be thrilled... you are reading Hamlet and it is by well known author John Marsden! 

This is a novel adaptation of Hamlet told in a modern setting using every day language. It follows the themes of Hamlet, but with more of a focus on the issues of being a teenager in a dysfunctional family. The language can be a little full on at times, and some of the scenes are a bit graphic. It is not one for the light hearted.

There is also an audio version of this book available so you can listen to it on your ipod as well as read it.

Enjoy, but remember not to leave it lying around!

Young adult interpretation - Michelle Ray

Falling for Hamlet

This modern day novel adaptation is one for the girls. This unique adaptation is written from the point of view of Ophelia. It is set in a modern day royal household, where Ophelia is the daughter of a trusted royal advisor. She is the darling of the press and is splashed across magazines and tv. She is dating the Prince of Denmark, but all is not well with Hamlet. He is moody and difficult and their relationship is falling apart.

This novel has several twists on the story of Hamlet, but is told in such an engaging and fresh way, you can forgive some of the plot diversions (I don't want to give away any spoilers). The story has flashbacks to other times in the book, which make it interesting and provides a bit more of a back story to the characters. 

Whilst it is truly a work of fiction, it does follow the themes that appear in the play, but in a modern days setting that teens can relate to.