Hamlet is Shakespeare s most popular and most puzzling play. It follows the form of a revenge tragedy in which the hero Hamlet seeks vengeance against his father s murderer his uncle Claudius now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination however lies in its uncertainties. Among them: What is the Ghost--Hamlet s father demanding justice a tempting demon an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer why does he not act? Was his mother Gertrude unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder? The authoritative edition of Hamlet from The Folger Shakespeare Library the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library s vast holdings of rare books -An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading Essay by Michael Neill The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC is home to the world s largest collection of Shakespeare s printed works and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information visit Folger.edu.