The Signet Classics edition of William Shakespeare's incomparable tragic play." To be, or not to be: that is the question"There is arguably no work of fiction quoted as often as William Shakespeare's Hamlet. This haunting tragedy of a troubled Danish prince devoted to avenging his father's death has captivated audiences for centuries. This title in the Signet Classics Shakespeare series includes: - An overview of Shakespeare's life, world, and theater - A special introduction to the play by the editor, Sylvan Barnet - A note on the sources from which Shakespeare derived Hamlet - Dramatic criticism from Samuel Taylor Coleridge, A.C. Bradley, Maynard Mack, and others - A comprehensive stage and screen history of notable actors, directors, and productions of Hamlet - Text, notes, and commentaries printed in the clearest, most readable format - Recommended readings