Clarifying the Correct Usage of 'Actors Were Performing the Play of Hamlet'

When discussing the performance of Hamlet, a common sentence you may encounter is: “Actors were performing the play of Hamlet.” However, there are nuances in how this sentence can be phrased to better emphasize the ongoing action or the finished performance. In this article, we will explore the most appropriate ways to phrase this sentence and discuss the grammatical and stylistic implications of each option.

The Immediate Correction: Dropping 'of'

As many experts have pointed out, the word 'of' in the sentence 'Actors were performing the play of Hamlet' is unnecessary and, in fact, might lead to confusion. It's easier and more natural to say:

'Actors were performing the play Hamlet.' 'Actors were performing the play ‘Hamlet.’

'Hamlet' is the name of the play, and as such, it can be mentioned directly without the unnecessary 'of'. When writing the title of a play, it is customary to italicize or place it in quotation marks. For instance:

Actors were performing the play 'Hamlet.'

This version is concise and clear while maintaining the proper emphasis on the play's title.

Stress on Ongoing Action

If you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the performance, you might opt for a sentence that uses the past progressive tense. This tense is used to describe an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past. For example:

Actors were performing the play Hamlet in the park when suddenly it started pouring down rain.

In this sentence, the focus is on the continuous performance and the dramatic interruption by the weather.

Completed Action

If the action has been fully completed, it's more appropriate to use the simple past tense. The simple past tense is used to describe an action that has been completed and is not ongoing. For example:

Actors performed Hamlet in the park last summer.

Here, the emphasis is on the completion of the performance, and the time frame of the action is clearly stated.

Alternative Phrasings

There are also alternative phrasings that can convey the same meaning but with slight differences in emphasis or style. For instance:

'The play Hamlet was being performed.' The play Hamlet was performed.

Both versions are grammatically correct and can be used depending on the context. The first sentence still emphasizes the ongoing nature of the performance, while the second sentence conveys a sense of completion or culmination.

Conclusion

The correct way to phrase the sentence 'Actors were performing the play of Hamlet' depends on the context and the specific emphasis you wish to place on the action. Here are the key points to remember:

Drop 'of': Use 'Actors were performing the play Hamlet' or 'Actors were performing the play 'Hamlet.' Emphasize Ongoing Action: Use 'Actors were performing the play Hamlet' with a clause explaining the interruption or ongoing nature. Completed Action: Use 'Actors performed Hamlet' to emphasize the completion of the performance.

Understanding these nuances can help you communicate more effectively and ensure that your sentences are clear and grammatically correct.