Translating Shakespeare's Hamlet to Modern English

Translating Hamlet

Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” can be hard to understand for many readers because the language contains so many unfamiliar words and phrases. Do you want to actually understand Shakespeare’s Hamlet with a modern translation of the language? Do you want to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words? Well, withAI technology, now you can generate simple paraphrasing of Shakespeare’s play Hamlet instantly! Pickaxe’s Shakespeare’s Translator tool lets you translate any line into common, plain-spoken English instantly. The tool is free to use and offers unlimited usage. For Shakespeare beginners or readers looking for a Hamlet translation, this tool can help make the Bard more accessible.

Why would you want to create a modern English translation of Hamlet in real-time? It’s very valuable to transform intricate Old English texts into easy-to-understand language. It lets you appreciate the characters like the contemplative Hamlet, the poignant Ophelia, the wise Polonius, or the scheming Claudius in a relatable manner. This Shakespeare to English translator app is ideal for students and educators. The simple english translations simplify complex speeches about the themes of revenge, loyalty, and mortality. By reading the Hamlet in simple english, Shakespeare's classic is more accessible. With this user-friendly, free Shakespeare translation tool, dive into the depths of "Hamlet" without the barrier of archaic language, and experience how its enduring themes continue to resonate in the modern era.

You can use the Shakespeare to English translation tool for free here. Below are ten examples of famous lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet translated to simple english with using our tool powered by a large language model AI.

Famous Hamlet Quotes

Hamlet Quote:

Yet I, a dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
And can say nothing

Modern Translation:

What would he do if he had the same reasons and motivation as me? He would cry so much that the stage would be flooded with his tears. He would shock everyone with his terrifying words, making even the guilty feel crazy and scaring those who are innocent. He would confuse those who don't understand and truly astonish everyone's senses of sight and hearing.

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Hamlet Quote

The lady protests to much, methinks.

The lady is overly insistent, I believe.

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Hamlet Quote:

To be, or not to be, that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them

Modern Translation:

The famous question is whether it is better to exist or not. Is it nobler to endure the hardships and challenges that life throws at us, or to fight against them and put an end to our troubles through our own death?

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Hamlet Quote:

Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t.

Modern Translation:

Even though it may seem crazy, there is still some reason behind it.

Hamlet Quote:

There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio,

than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Modern Translation:

There are more things in life than your knowledge would lead you to believe.

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Hamlet Quote:

This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Modern Translation:

Above all else, the most important thing is to be true to yourself. If you do that, everything else will fall into place, just like night follows day. When you are true to yourself, you cannot deceive or betray anyone else.

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Hamlet Quote:

Doubt thou the stars are fire;

Doubt that the sun doth move;

Doubt truth to be a liar;

But never doubt I love.

Modern Translation:

Question whether the stars are made of fire, whether the sun moves, whether truth can be false; But do not question my love.

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Hamlet Quote:

God hath given you one face, and you make yourself another.

Modern Translation:

You have been given a natural appearance, but you choose to present an artificial one.

Hamlet Quote:

My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:

Words without thoughts never to heaven go.

Modern Translation:

Words are ineffective without corresponding actions and thoughts.

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Hamlet Quote:

To die, to sleep –

To sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there’s the rub,

For in this sleep of death what dreams may come…

Modern Translation:

To die is to sleep, and perhaps in that sleep we dream. That's the catch though, because we don't know what kinds of dreams might come in the eternal sleep of death once we've left behind our life here on earth. This uncertainty makes us stop and think.

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If you're reading Hamlet and want to automatically read the text as modern english, try using AI generated translations of the text. It is a fast, great way to make reading Hamlet easier and more accessible!

Translating Shakespeare's Hamlet to Modern English

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