What does the cryptic crossword clue "Very unfortunate time of life for Hamlet (7)" mean?

The definition is "Hamlet". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). V (synonym="abbrev. for “very”") + ILL (synonym="unfortunate/unfavourable, as in “the ill effects of …”") + AGE (synonym="time of life/measure of the length of time one has lived") = VILLAGE; definition: "Hamlet" The answer is VILLAGE.

Very unfortunate time of life for Hamlet (7)

Guardian Cryptic #29140 | 5 Down | 2023-08-04 flower

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