Read Matthews’ chapter first to fully understand the plot, motivations, and setting. Then, open Shakespeare's original text. You will find that the Elizabethan poetry becomes significantly easier to decipher once you already know exactly what the characters are trying to accomplish.

Schools often use platforms like Oxford Owl or Collins Connect which may host Matthews' Shakespeare retellings.

How to Find and Use the "Hamlet Andrew Matthews PDF" Responsibly

A 100-page physical book is heavy. A PDF of Hamlet by Andrew Matthews sits on a phone, tablet, or laptop. Students can read it on the bus or during a study hall.

Andrew Matthews' adaptation of is a popular retelling designed for children and young readers, featuring illustrations by Tony Ross. If you are drafting a post to share a PDF of this book, here are three tailored options based on different audience goals: Option 1: For Parents and Educators Focus: A quick, accessible introduction to Shakespeare.

: The story follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who is devastated by his father's sudden death and his mother Gertrude's quick remarriage to his uncle, Claudius. After his father's ghost reveals he was murdered by Claudius, Hamlet vows to seek revenge, leading to a path of feigned madness and tragic consequences. Narrative Style

While the original play is written in a mixture of verse (iambic pentameter) and prose, Matthews' retelling is written entirely in accessible, modern prose. He stays very close to Shakespeare's narrative, meaning his stories "could also be read as a kind of summary of the pieces, an overview of their plot and basic structure". The difference lies in the experience. The original demands the reader (or viewer) to parse complex metaphors and monologues. Matthews' version releases the reader from that labor, allowing them to focus entirely on the cause-and-effect of the plot and the raw emotions of the characters—the grief, the betrayal, and the suspense of the revenge. While the complexity is simplified for younger readers, it is regarded as "more than that"; by expanding the thoughts and feelings of the characters from their monologues, Matthews offers new perspectives on Shakespeare’s works.

Provides the original text side-by-side with modern English.

The Open Library and Internet Archive frequently host digital scans of The Orchard Book of Shakespeare Stories or individual editions for free, legal digital borrowing.

Claudius sends Hamlet to England with a death warrant. Hamlet escapes and returns to find that Ophelia, driven mad by grief (excellently depicted by Matthews), has drowned in a brook. Laertes (Polonius’ son) challenges Hamlet to a duel. Claudius poisons the wine and Laertes' rapier. In the chaos that follows, Gertrude drinks the poison, Laertes scratches Hamlet with the poisoned sword, and Hamlet forces Claudius to drink the wine. As the poison takes hold, Horatio cries, "Good night, sweet prince."

Andrew Matthews’ (often published as part of the Shakespeare Stories Shakespeare Shorts

Navigating the World of Shakespeare: A Guide to Andrew Matthews’ Hamlet