Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, is a classic work of literature almost as well-known as Shakespeare’s other great work Romeo and Juliet. While many have heard of it, fewer know its true depth. Known as Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Hamlet is a complex play about revenge, madness, and love that causes the reader to question what they would do in the characters’ circumstances. This tragedy is very engaging and interesting, with well-written characters and witty dialogue comparable to The Princess Bride. The titular Hamlet is entrusted by his father’s ghost to seek revenge against his killer, Hamlet’s uncle, the new king of Denmark. Hamlet must find proof, thwart his girlfriend’s sneaky dad, juggle the changing allegiances of his closest friends, and finally, kill the king of Denmark. Hamlet dives into the root of the human condition with a wide variety of characters. Their actions and inactions reveal their motives, hesitations, and allegiances. This is a play that has a relatively simple concept, but is handled with depth and care, leaving many details open to the reader’s interpretation. Hamlet shines as a classic and is Shakespeare’s masterpiece for a reason: the character development and emotion is wonderful. With a large but memorable cast, each character shines in their own ways, whether it be by being witty, smart, tricky, loving, or deceitful. The many subtleties in the dialogue and action of the characters hint at the true depth of the play and Shakespeare’s understanding of his characters. One thing I especially liked was the classic setting of a kingdom of olde. I know next to nothing about Denmark, but the customs and beliefs of the characters were very interesting. The idea that you’ll go to hell if killed without first confessing was a very interesting mechanic, as it delayed some deaths and sped up others. The language can be confusing at times, but the complexity makes it more engaging, especially with footnotes detailing what the countless allusions and outdated words mean. I really liked this play, and hopefully you will too! It can be hard to read, but with a little patience it can be incredibly entertaining and fun. It made me want to refresh myself on the Greek mythos, as I like to think I know quite a bit, but Hamlet made some deep references that I needed the footnotes to understand. Overall, I would give it a four out of five, because I very much enjoyed the characters, but wasn’t incredibly invested in them.