The Klingon Hamlet - Style and Format

Style and Format

The original English version of the play appears alongside its "original Klingon" translation. The "original Klingon" version has been adapted to reflect the play's history as originating from a Klingon source. Reference sections in the book show some literal translations of the Klingon body text.

According to a disclaimer, the project is written in a satirical style implied by Chancellor Gorkon's quote — that Shakespeare was actually a Klingon (named "Wil'yum Shek'sper") writing about the attempted coup of the Klingon empire. This is implied because the plot is based on predominantly Klingon themes and motifs as opposed to human themes and motifs, which were considered too primitive in comparison to the story of Hamlet during the time period in which it is set. The book also claims the notion that Shakespeare was a human poet during the late 16th century occurred after the United Federation of Planets instigated a large propaganda campaign in order to rally the human population against Klingons.