So, it's no surprise that the tale of the vengeful prince is so widely familiar-and so widely made fun of. After all, the original is both difficult to understand, in terms of language, and excessively long.

An uncut version of the play runs around four hours, and let's face it: that's way more than the average person's attention span. The solution? Shorten it! Of course, abridging a work of literature solely for entertainment is often done with less than total concern for the original's integrity… resulting in delightfully irreverent abbreviations. Here are five of the best humorously shortened Hamlets, guaranteed to make Shakespeare cringe and you laugh out loud.

1. The Simpsons' Hamlet

   
   Who doesn't love The Simpsons? I've been a fan since I was too young to understand most of the jokes, but some of my favorite episodes have to be the literary parodies, making fun of everything from The Odyssey to Lord of the Flies. This approximately six-minute version of Hamlet, from an episode featuring three classic stories, stars Bart as the Danish prince and bartender Moe as his murderous uncle. It doesn't quite follow the real storyline, but the hysterical ghost encounter and play-within-a-play scenes more than make up for it.

2. The Animaniacs on Hamlet

   
   
   Okay, this one isn't exactly an abridged version of the play, but it's too entertaining to leave out. This little cartoon “translates” Hamlet's “Alas, poor Yorick!” speech into modern English-and not very respectfully, at that. It's a little bit cutesy (it is a kids' cartoon, after all), but there's still plenty for us grown-ups to laugh at.

3. Seamus Kennedy's “Three Minute Hamlet”

   
   Seamus Kennedy is an Irish singer and comedian, and one of my favorites among his pieces is his quick version of Hamlet (which is actually a little less than three minutes!) Some of the vocabulary's a bit odd, at least to this young American, and you'll probably want to look up the lyrics to make sure you catch everything, since he has to talk pretty fast to fit the whole story in so little time. But it's well worth it, especially the end! You can listen to the song on Seamus Kennedy's MySpace, and it's available for download on iTunes.

4. The Reduced Shakespeare Company

   
   
   The Reduced Shakespeare Company, which observes that “The comedies aren't as funny as the tragedies”, is famous for its show featuring ALL of Shakespeare's plays in extremely condensed versions infused with silly British humor. Their Hamlet is actually quite long (It's in four parts on YouTube; the link here is to the first), but certainly worth it. I'd also recommend the rest of their Shakespearean “reductions”, particularly Romeo and Juliet.

5. Hamlet in 60 Seconds

   
   No, that's not a typo. 60 seconds. If you watch only one of these five Hamlets, make it this one. It's absolutely hilarious. I can't think of a better way to spend a spare minute. (Thank God for subtitles, though.) Oh, and I recommend using the “pop-up” video option; it tends to work better.

• The movie was too short (1hr 24min)
• There was a person in the movie that was filming it so it was really dizzy.
• There is no story at all.
• It did not make sense.

The national average in rating 3 and they are calling it the best movie for two weeks. If you are picky about the movies you see then trust me you will hate Cloverfield. I have seen the movie and it is very stupid. I know what you are thinking “this guy is telling me not to see a movie that is the top movie for 3 weeks now” no I'm telling you the honest truth but if you want to waste your money and time then go right ahead.

For people that have serious arachnophobia like I do, don't see the movie. There is a tunnel seen and all these giant and I mean giant spiders come out and try to kill the five people. My parents spent 34 dollars on tickets and another 32 on candy. Once again don't see the movie

I decided that here must be some reason why I always wind up with the shorter men. I made up my mind to make a complete list of all of the good qualities of these guys, so that I could finally see them for myself.

1. The Sheer Number OF Short Guys Available

   
   
   It's true! Short guys are everywhere. I go shopping, short guys. At the gym, short guys. Movie, or theater, short guys. They out number tall guys at least five to one.

2. They Seem Really Surprised If You Agree To Go Out With Them

   
   
   I guess, after so much rejection, when they do get a "yes" , it is a shock to their little systems. It's kind of cute. It makes you want to say, "Aww..."

3. They Are Very Attentative To Their Date

   
   
   These guys are nothing if not polite. They hold the door open for you. Maybe they support your arm while walking. They encourage you to order whatever you want. They don't use coupons, or the dollar menu. No fast food on these dates.

4. They Dress Nicely

   
   
   Who would have thought that they make such nice suits, and silk shirts in such itty bitty sizes. Those teeny little shoes are also very cute. They are usually color coordinated as well. And they smell good too.

5. They Have Big Cars

   
   
   We all have heard of the theory, of why short guys have big cars. Frankly, I don't care. I get to ride in comfort.

6. They Have Good Jobs

   
   
   Many short men hold very important positions in their company. They are go getters. They attack work as a challenge. They love to make money.

7. They Are Good Listeners

   
   
   They listen to all your troubles even telling you how sorry they are for your problems, without ever attempting to burden you with their problems. They may even on occasion, offer good solutions for you.

8. They Never Forget Your Birthday

   
   
   They also remember you at Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, St. Patricks Day, and any other day when they can demonstrate how much they care.

9. They Get Along With Your Family

   
   
   If he takes you out to eat, he brings home a doggy bag for the pets too. He hugs your mother, shakes hands with your father, and brings a six-pack for your uncle Ben.

10. They Are The Marrying Kind!

    
    
    They want to marry you. They are the type to get down on one knee and beg for your hand, after he has asked your father's permission. No issues on commitment here.

I am now very surprised to read my own list. And I have all the proof I need! That leads me to only one conclusion: Short guys rock!