Hamlet Group

Question:


sanjiwan
Student
College - Senior

Can anybody supply me with the summary of "Hamlet"?

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Posted by sanjiwan on Friday December 12, 2008 at 7:11 PM and tagged with hamlet, plot, summary.

Answers:


  1. cybil Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Now that I've moved your question to the Hamlet group, you can easily find a general summary of the play as well as a summary and analysis of each scene and act by clicking on the tab for enotes above. I've provided a link below for the general summary. 

    This famous play involves murder, a ghost, revenge, madness, and a melancholy and confused prince. You can even read the entire play here online. eNotes offers all kinds of information about the play.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/summary

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    Posted by cybil on Friday December 12, 2008 at 8:25 PM

  2. cburr
    cburr Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    Here’s the quick version.  Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark.  His father died and his father’s brother (Claudius) quickly married Hamlet’s mother (Gertrude).  Hamlet learns from his father’s ghost that Claudius is the one who killed him, and is asked to seek revenge. 

    Hamlet isn’t sure whether or not to believe the ghost.  So, he decides to stage a play with a scene just like the murder of his father.  When Claudius sees the play, he gets up and leaves, so Hamlet is now convinced he did murder his father. 

    By mistake Hamlet kills a courtier (thinking it is Claudius), and so the courtier’s son (Laertes) wants revenge against Hamlet.  Claudius sends Hamlet to England to get rid of him, but Hamlet escapes and comes back.  Meanwhile, the courtier’s daughter goes insane and kills herself. 

    Claudius sets up a fencing duel between Hamlet and Laertes, gives Laertes a poisoned sword, and has poisoned wine handy to give Hamlet in case Laertes doesn’t kill him.  A mess ensues, in which Hamlet and Laertes are both fatally wounded by the sword, Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine and Hamlet kills Claudius.  The truth is revealed and Hamlet’s body is taken off with honor.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/summary

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    Posted by cburr on Friday December 12, 2008 at 8:55 PM