Hamlet's combination of violence & introspection is unusual among Shakespeare's tragedies. It is also full of curious riddles & fascinating paradoxes making it one of his most widely discussed plays. Professor Hibbard's illuminating & original introduction explains the process by which variant texts were fused in the eighteenth century to create the most commonly used text of today. Drawing on both critical & theatrical history he shows how this gusion 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' & highly practical edition for students & actors alike. ABOUT THE SERIES: For 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 & much more.