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Books : Klingon "Hamlet" (Star Trek)
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- For Trekkies and those interested in Shakespeare alike
One may wonder why any Terran without the slightest interest in Klingon or Star Trek would search out this book. Gentle reader, I can only recommend you to persevere. 'Khamlet,' by that well-known dramatist Wil'yam Shex'pir, is worth your attention. Forget that the plot is well-known and the Klingon language obtuse, the introduction and appendices are fascinating.
As a somewhat closet Trekkie, I bought this book out of curiousity, unable to resist the appeal of the phrase "You have not experienced Shakespeare, until you have read him in the original Klingon," as in the film Star Trek VI. Yet, I confess that with my first degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge, I was most intrigued by the literary criticism provided. I enjoy those books that allow new insight into classics. To quote from the Introduction: "In effect, Khamlet, with its fawning courtiers, its insistence on ceremony, its healthy Realpolitik, and its underhand dealing... is nothing less than a nightmare scenario, a chilling portrayal of a malaise and decay so pervasive that it infects the hero himself."
Brief as the notes maybe in comparison to the length of the play, I feel this is what should attract the mainstream audience. All those who are interested in Shakespeare as a living playwright should consider reading this book. It is its audacity that attracts.
I can best compare this book with another reinterpretation of Star Trek, namely 'Leadership Lessons from Star Trek the Next Generation, Make it So' by Wess Roberts and Bill Ross. In this book episodes were analysed for management theories relating to leadership. This was less earnest than 'Khamlet' but no less learned.
Unusual this version of Shakespeare maybe, but I can guarantee it will be a talking point. After all, have you ever tried to say "taH pagh taH'be'!" instead of "To be or not to be"?
- For Trekkies and those interested in Shakespeare alikeOne may wonder why any Terran without the slightest interest in Klingon or Star Trek would search out this book. Gentle reader, I can only recommend you to persevere. 'Khamlet,' by that well-known dramatist Wil'yam Shex'pir, is worth your attention. Forget that the plot is well-known and the Klingon language obtuse, the introduction and appendices are fascinating.
As a somewhat closet Trekkie, I bought this book out of curiousity, unable to resist the appeal of the phrase "You have not experienced Shakespeare, until you have read him in the original Klingon," as in the film Star Trek VI. Yet, I confess that with my first degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge, I was most intrigued by the literary criticism provided. I enjoy those books that allow new insight into classics. To quote from the Introduction: "In effect, Khamlet, with its fawning courtiers, its insistence on ceremony, its healthy Realpolitik, and its underhand dealing... is nothing less than a nightmare scenario, a chilling portrayal of a malaise and decay so pervasive that it infects the hero himself."
Brief as the notes maybe in comparison to the length of the play, I feel this is what should attract the mainstream audience. All those who are interested in Shakespeare as a living playwright should consider reading this book. It is its audacity that attracts.
I can best compare this book with another reinterpretation of Star Trek, namely 'Leadership Lessons from Star Trek the Next Generation, Make it So' by Wess Roberts and Bill Ross. In this book episodes were analysed for management theories relating to leadership. This was less earnest than 'Khamlet' but no less learned.
Unusual this version of Shakespeare maybe, but I can guarantee it will be a talking point. After all, have you ever tried to say "taH pagh taH'be'!" instead of "To be or not to be"?