Hamlet's combination of violence and introspection is unusual among Shakespeare's tragedies. It is also full of curious riddles and fascinating paradoxes, making it one of his most widely discussed plays. Professor Hibbard's illuminating and original introduction explains the process by which variant texts were fused together in the eighteenth century to create the most commonly used text of today. Drawing on both critical and theatrical history, he shows how this fusion makes Hamlet seem a much more `problematic' play than it was when it originally appeared in the First Folio of 1623. The Oxford Shakespeare edition presents a radically new text, based on that First Folio, which printed Shakespeare's own revision of an earlier version. The result is a `theatrical' and highly practical edition for students and performers alike.FeaturesA new edition of Hamlet, based on the First Folio of 1623--Shakespeare's "fair copy"--that has been preserved for us in the Second Quarto.New to this EditionIlluminating and original introduction explains the process by which variant texts were fused in the eighteenth century to create the most commonly used text of today.Draws on both critical and theatrical history to show how this gusion makes Hamlet seem a much more 'problematic' play than it was when it originally appeared in the First Folio of 1623.ABOUT THE SERIESFor over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.