No Fear Shakespeare HAMLET By SPARK NOTES

No Fear Shakespeare gives you the complete text of Hamlet on the left-hand page, side-by-side with an easy-to-understand translation on the right. We sometimes forget that Shakespeare's plays were meant to be heard, seen, experienced rather than read. In fact, they are difficult to read because of the centuries of language transformation that lies between their conception and us. But Shakespeare holds an enduring place in literary history - memorable characters, startling stories, skillful punning, and quotable quotes. No Fear Shakespeare is a better start down that path to lifelong appreciation. The playbooks provide a readable side-by-side, line-by-line translation - original language on one side and its meaning in understandable modern English/American peppered with editorial notes and comments on the other. Thus the necessity of reading and constantly consulting footnotes is eliminated. A complete listing and description of characters precedes the play and completes the book. That's all! No study questions, no copious endnotes, and no handwringing. You can choose to "study" the plays or just learn to read them for enjoyment. I suggest the latter. If you do want to flesh out your Shakespeare reading with just a little extra perspective, the No Fear Shakespeare, A Companion is the answer. Part 1 humbly claims to cover everything you need to know about his life (there's not much, really), career, and world. In similar humility, Part 2 claims to provide everything you reall