The Klingon HamletFor too long, readers throughout the Federation have been exposed to The Tragedy of Khamlet, Son of the Emperor of Qo'nos, that classic work of Klingon™ literature, only through inadequate and misleading English translations. Now at last, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Klingon Language Institute, this powerful drama by the legendary Klingon playwright, Wil'yam Shex'pir, can be appreciated in the elegance and glory of its original tongue. This invaluable volume contains the complete text of the play, along with an English translation for easy consultation and comparison. In addition, an incisive introduction explains the play's crucial importance in Klingon culture, while copious notes illustrate how the debased English version diverges from the original, often distorting and even reversing the actual meaning of the verses. Khamlet, the Restored Klingon Version, is a work that belongs in the library of every human who hopes truly to understand what it means to be Klingon. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 29
These were acclaimed from the beginning, in the mess-halls and actor-bars of the Empire: these plays struck a responsive chord in the hearts of many Klingons. Given the subsequent political troubles in the Empire, these plays are read ...
Bernardo He. Francisco You come most carefully upon your hour. Bernardo 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco. Francisco For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart. Qo'noS ta'puq, Hamlet lotlut.
Claudius Cornelius & Voltimand Claudius Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death The memory be green; and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe; Yet so far hath ...
'ach mulbogh 'IQtaHghachvaD qaplu'chugh, vaj multaHmo' quvHa'qanglu'law' neH. qoHvam DaQo' SuvwI'. lalDanvaD tlhIvqu' Gertrude Hamlet Claudius Hamlet A heart unfortified, a mind impatient; LUT 'AY' WA', LUT 'AY'HOM CHA ' 15.
Gertrude Hamlet Claudius Hamlet A heart unfortified, a mind impatient; An understanding simple and unschool'd: For what we know must be, and is as common As any the most vulgar thing to sense, Why should we, in our peevish opposition, ...
What people are saying - Write a review
How fun to have a parallel edition with the English text of Hamlet on the left page and the corresponding Klingon text of Khamlet on the right page! Then in the back are the textual notes because when the humans stole the work for themselves, they made various changes to fit peculiarities of human culture. Face it, humans are wimps compared to Klingons! And humans have no sense of operatic drama.
As far as the story goes, this is a tale in which nearly all of the characters are supposed to be noble, but most of the deaths are dishonorable. How can these schemers and back-stabbers even claim to be Klingon? They have no place in Sto-vo-kor!
Fortunately, there are a few deaths that are glorious and honorable. They stir the heart.
Another fun part of reading this play is that so many of the speeches and archaic phrases have come into the collective memory of a large number of people. Even the human version has a certain amount of memorable verses. School children should memorize these and their elders should review them often. Modern readers should pepper their conversation with terms such as "Odds bodkin!" Our lives would be so much the richer.
Do you want a book that will be worth the time you spend on it, even though it takes you away from weapons practice and other worthwhile activities? Then this is a book you should read.