Having been educated since I was very young, never have a heard such a believable source criticize Hamlet. It is ironic to see how authors criticize each other, when they know how hard it is to write. When I look closely I noticed that the criticism is not towards the author but towards the play: “So far from being Shakespeare's masterpiece, the play is most certainly an artistic failure. In several ways the play is puzzling, and disquieting as is none of the others.” Everybody has the right to express his or her opinion but it is curious to see how nothing about Hamlet seems appealing to T.S. Elliot.
He also mentions the Ur-Hamlet. It is impossible to be completely original and you can always find a predecessor to a work of art. If it is not a previous invention it is something that inspired the author. What becomes important is not being original but interesting. You can have a typical story that motivates the reader. He is intrigued and enjoys the reading. What happened to me with Hamlet is association. If I am able to associate with the characters I will look forward to their reactions and interpretations. If you are able to place yourself in Hamlets shoes and think about what you would do in his situation, the play will become enjoyable, and at the least, bearable. I find it obvious that “We should have to understand things which Shakespeare did not understand himself.” The time periods are different and we have perspective.
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