Let's be clear: this isn't a retelling of Hamlet. You won't find 'To be or not to be' here. Instead, it's a compact, anonymous essay from the 18th century that sits down with Shakespeare's most famous play and gives it a serious talking-to.

The Story

There's no narrative in the traditional sense. The 'story' is the argument. The unknown author takes us through the plot of Hamlet, but only to highlight what they see as the prince's failures. They point out that Hamlet learns of his father's murder by a ghost—hardly reliable evidence—and then spends months moping and acting strange instead of confronting the king. They question why he so easily sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths but hesitates to kill Claudius. Every famous moment is reframed not as tragic depth, but as procrastination, poor judgment, or outright cruelty. The focus is tightly on Hamlet's actions (or lack thereof) and their devastating consequences.

Why You Should Read It

This is why I loved it: it makes Hamlet feel new again. After centuries of us calling Hamlet a complex intellectual, this critic shouts, 'He's just bad at his job!' It's bracing and funny. You can feel the author's frustration leaping off the page. They're not doing dry analysis; they're a viewer who just saw the play and is worked up about it. Reading this short piece forces you to defend your own view of the character. Do you see a philosopher-prince or a man who causes a bloodbath because he couldn't make a decision? It turns the play into a debate you're part of.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone who's ever had to study Hamlet in school and wondered if there was another side to the story. It's for book clubs looking for a fiery, short piece to spark a huge debate about one of the most famous characters ever written. You don't need to be a Shakespeare scholar—you just need an opinion. If you think literary criticism is stuffy, this 250-year-old hot take will prove you wrong. It's a reminder that great stories are meant to be argued about, not just worshipped.