Hamlet en la Isla del Rey

Cuando en un anterior artículo describimos la restauración de una edición del Quijote de 1755, como un modestísimo homenaje a Cervantes en el cuatrocientos aniversario de su muerte, quedó en el aire que también Shakespeare merecía algo similar. Citemos pues dos interesantísimos libros que forman parte de los fondos de nuestra estimada biblioteca hospitalaria, dándoles a quienes esto escriben la sensación del deber cumplido…

Uno es el libro que contiene las obras completas de Shakespeare, tanto comedias, como obras históricas, tragedias y poemas, incluso su testamento, un grueso tomo de más de mil páginas, titulado "The Works of William Shakspeare (sic) with Life, Glossary, etc.", publicado por Frederick Warne and Co., Londres y Nueva York, en 1895. Ni que decir tiene que la curiosidad llevó a quien esto escribe a buscar a un viejo amigo, digámoslo así, como es Hamlet, y unos cuantos versos que le quedaron grabados, por supuesto también el famoso monólogo "To be, or not to be…".

El otro libro es un sorprendente gran tomo titulado "A new and complete concordance / Verbal index to words, phrases & passages / of the dramatic works of Shakespeare etc." por John Bartlett, A.M., en edición de 1891, que permite, a partir de una palabra (en orden alfabético) hallar todos los versos, frases o expresiones donde cada palabra es usada por Shakespeare. Un enorme trabajo que provocó la admiración de su propietario, quien en la página de títulos indicó "Contiene 8 millones y medio de palabras"…

Oscar Sbert Lozano

Ingenerio Industrial

Shakespeare... Amongst the many treasure that have steadily been accumulating in the restored rooms of the Isla del Rey are a few extraordinary items that deserve a special mention.

Since Great Britain has just been celebrating (400 years after he died) one of the greatest writers the world has ever known, it is an appropriate moment to draw your attention to two of our very old and beautiful books. I refer to two books of Shakespeare. The Complete Works printed in 1895 is a massive volume enough to daunt all but the most determined fan of this genius, the most famous and most performed playwright in the world, whose comedies, dramas and tragedies have entertained and fascinated people for over four centuries. Hamlet has been performed in almost every country – although apparently North Korea is still resisting - but people around the globe have heard and reflected upon the greatest debate of "To be or not to be".

The second book in the library, printed in 1891 is a reference to the unforgettable quotes, jokes and insults of Shakespeare; many of which have been incorporated into everyday use. Hamlet is the most quoted play in English, but also from other famous plays we have "The course of true love never did run smooth" or "I'll not budge an inch", English speakers are so used to saying "good riddance" when they are glad to see the back of someone or "for goodness sake" in a moment of frustration, or after a sleepless night you would say "I have not slept one wink". All these come from Shakespeare's repertoire. It's not been an easy task, indeed it put me "in a pickle" to try and select from the hundreds of wonderful and unforgettable examples just a few words to represent a writer who has so eloquently enriched the English language.

Beverley Ward

Agente Inmobiliario