This fictional re-writing of the Hamlet story is set in a time somewhere between the Scandinavian Dark Ages (out of which the tale of Hamlet came), and the Renaissance society of Shakespeare's play. The novel "searches past and future", in T.S. Eliot phrase, "looking before and after". Beginning at the end of Shakespeare's play, where the Norweigian prince Fortinbras takes over the empty throne of Denmark, its then backtracks to the year of Hamlet's birth, and the great duel fought between his father King Amled and Fortinbras' father Prince Fortenbrasse. in the light of this history, as a new ruler takes over Denmark after Hamlet's death, the conflicts and alliances between ancient Viking chivalry, Renaissance realpolitik and Christian forgiveness are dramatically explored.
- ISBN10 1902806123
- ISBN13 9781902806129
- Publish Date 7 May 2002
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 9 March 2009
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint University of Hertfordshire Press
- Format Hardcover
- Language English