Curiously, I just read Alan Gordon's An Antic Disposition, which is a cracking good murder mystery told, in part, from the point of view of Yorick. And it makes use of quite a few bits of this tale that Shakespeare didn't see fit to bother with (but only the ones that have a prayer of making sense). It's really well written and I'd highly recommend it.
This all came about because I was reading Hamlet, and the introduction of my book kindly informed me of Saxo Grammaticus, which apparently Shakespeare didn't read, another source, and the true Ur-Hamlet, which may or may not have existed! :o
Anyway, you probably know this, and I probably linked it before (I have no memory for links these days, hmph!), but, it should be linked again and again! hee.
HAHAHAHAHA. Oh man. You know, my mom and I discovered this crack legend a while back and just rolled on the floor laughing for like an hour.
I also very strongly recommend--though you've probably already seen this--Q1, or the "Bad Quarto," of Hamlet, which contains the classic speech beginning, "To be or not to be, ay, there's the point."
Crazy legends + insane translating make indeed a potent combination! I've been amused for days. :D
Even just randomly scrolling through the history yields hilarity! Like:
The sons of Westmar and Koll, being ungrown in years and bold in spirit, let their courage become recklessness and devoted their guilt-stained minds to foul and degraded orgies...[and so on]. And the reason of all this was the peace; for men's bodies lacked exercise and were enervated in the ease so propitious to vices.
I did not know of the Bad Quarto of Hamlet. Hee, the point, indeed.
I highly recommend the Bad Quarto. It is the unauthorized first published version from 1603, which appears to have been compiled from memory by an actor playing Marsellus. "To be or not to be" is just one of countless classic moments. It also includes several lines (continuing to the next page) in Hamlet's rant about bad actors that are not in any other version.
Okay, I have verily been stupid not to add you as a friend yet. Have done, will promise never to do any friendoritos to you and grovel at your feet for this morning of much-needed giggling.
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And now having sampled the Ur-Text, I shall never make fun of Shakespearian complications or illogic again.
"Wanton" ought to be a verb again! Or at least used more often as a noun outside of historical fiction.
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Anyway, you probably know this, and I probably linked it before (I have no memory for links these days, hmph!), but, it should be linked again and again! hee.
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I also very strongly recommend--though you've probably already seen this--Q1, or the "Bad Quarto," of Hamlet, which contains the classic speech beginning, "To be or not to be, ay, there's the point."
Reply
Even just randomly scrolling through the history yields hilarity! Like:
The sons of Westmar and Koll, being ungrown in years and bold in spirit, let their courage become recklessness and devoted their guilt-stained minds to foul and degraded orgies...[and so on]. And the reason of all this was the peace; for men's bodies lacked exercise and were enervated in the ease so propitious to vices.
I did not know of the Bad Quarto of Hamlet. Hee, the point, indeed.
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*is dead*
Okay, I have verily been stupid not to add you as a friend yet. Have done, will promise never to do any friendoritos to you and grovel at your feet for this morning of much-needed giggling.
There must be MORE mad fensex!!!11
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But there is always time for fensex. XD
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