Hamlet Summary
- After conversing with his father's ghost, Prince Hamlet learns that his father was murdered by Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, who has since assumed Denmark's throne and married Hamlet's mother.
- Wary of the ghost's intentions, Hamlet seeks to confirm Claudius's guilt before taking his revenge. To deflect suspicion, Hamlet decides to make himself appear crazy.
- As Hamlet's increasingly erratic behavior wreaks havoc on the lives of those around him, it becomes less clear whether his madness is feigned or real.
Plot Summary
Hamlet begins on a dark night at Elsinore Castle in Denmark. Guards discuss a ghost resembling Denmark’s recently deceased king that has been appearing outside the castle. Believing this ghost’s presence signals danger, they decide to inform Prince Hamlet, the late king’s son.
The Royal Upheaval
Prince Hamlet has returned from Germany for his father’s funeral and his mother Gertrude’s sudden remarriage to Claudius, his uncle, who has taken the throne. Adding to this turmoil, Denmark faces a threat from Fortinbras, the son of Norway’s late king, who secretly plans to reclaim lands his father lost to Hamlet’s father.
The Ghost’s Revelation
One night, the ghost appears to Hamlet, revealing that Claudius murdered him to seize the throne and marry Gertrude. Horrified and enraged, Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s death but decides to feign madness to investigate further without raising suspicion.
Hamlet's Erratic Behavior
Hamlet’s strange behavior worries those around him, including Ophelia, a noblewoman he loves. Her father, Polonius, and brother, Laertes, warn her to avoid Hamlet, while Polonius theorizes that Hamlet’s madness is caused by unrequited love for Ophelia.
Claudius and Gertrude's Plan
To uncover the cause of Hamlet’s behavior, Claudius and Gertrude summon Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet’s old friends, to spy on him. Polonius suggests eavesdropping on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia, but this encounter proves inconclusive. Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England, while Polonius plans to eavesdrop on a conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude.
The Play Within a Play
Inspired by a visiting acting troupe, Hamlet stages a play mimicking his father’s murder to gauge Claudius’s reaction. Claudius’s disturbed response confirms his guilt to Hamlet.
The Death of Polonius
After the play, Hamlet finds Claudius praying and refrains from killing him, reasoning that it would send Claudius to heaven. Later, in Gertrude’s chambers, Hamlet confronts his mother, and, hearing someone hiding behind a tapestry, he impulsively stabs them, killing Polonius.
Hamlet Sent to England
Claudius, alarmed by Hamlet’s actions, sends him to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, secretly ordering Hamlet’s execution upon arrival. However, Hamlet discovers the plot and returns to Denmark.
Ophelia's Tragic Fate
Devastated by her father’s death, Ophelia descends into madness and drowns in a brook. Meanwhile, Laertes, enraged by his father’s and sister’s deaths, returns to Denmark seeking revenge.
The Deadly Duel
Claudius arranges a fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes. Unbeknownst to Hamlet, Laertes wields a poisoned blade, and Claudius prepares poisoned wine as a backup plan. During the match, Gertrude accidentally drinks the wine and dies. Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poisoned blade but is fatally injured himself. Before dying, Laertes reveals Claudius’s treachery.
Hamlet’s Revenge and Death
Enraged, Hamlet kills Claudius by stabbing him with the poisoned blade and forcing him to drink the wine. As Hamlet succumbs to the poison, he asks his friend Horatio to explain the tragic events to the world. Hamlet names Fortinbras as Denmark’s next ruler before dying.
The Aftermath
Fortinbras arrives to find the royal family dead and orders Hamlet’s body to be carried away with honor. Horatio vows to tell the story of what transpired.
Expert Q&A
Why did Shakespeare choose the name Hamlet?
Shakespeare chose the name Hamlet for his character based on the Danish mythological figure Amleth, whose story he likely knew well. Additionally, the name might honor his son, Hamnet, who died in 1596. Both names were Anglicized versions of Amleth, and Shakespeare may have expressed his grief in other works like King John, written the same year as Hamnet's death.
Why did William Shakespeare write Hamlet?
Shakespeare's motivation for writing "Hamlet" is not definitively known, but he was likely influenced by the world around him and earlier works, such as the lost play "Ur-Hamlet." Other possible influences include Saxo Grammaticus's Historiae Danicae and François de Belleforest's Histoires Tragiques, both of which contain similar plots. "Hamlet" was first performed around 1600, suggesting that contemporary events may also have played a role in its creation.
Who is the author of Hamlet?
The author of Hamlet is William Shakespeare. This tragic play, written around 1600-1602, explores themes of revenge, indecision, and justice as Prince Hamlet seeks to avenge his father's murder by his uncle, Claudius, who has usurped the throne and married Hamlet's mother. Hamlet's indecision and emotional struggles lead to his downfall, making it a profound exploration of human flaws and moral dilemmas.
What historical source might Shakespeare have used as a reference for Hamlet?
Shakespeare likely used Saxo Grammaticus's Gesta Danorum, a 12th-century Danish work, as a historical source for Hamlet. This text includes the story of Amleth, whose uncle kills his father and marries his mother, prompting Amleth to feign madness and seek revenge. The tale was later retold in French by Francois de Belleforest and possibly adapted by Thomas Kyd in the lost play "Ur-Hamlet," which may have directly influenced Shakespeare.
Plot Structure of Hamlet
The plot structure of Hamlet is built around a parallel revenge narrative, following a traditional tragic pyramid structure. The exposition introduces the main conflict: Hamlet's quest for revenge against Claudius, who murdered his father. The rising action includes Hamlet's feigned madness and the play-within-a-play to confirm Claudius's guilt. The climax occurs when Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, prompting a series of events leading to the resolution. The falling action involves Hamlet's exile and return, culminating in a deadly duel with Laertes and the restoration of order by Fortinbras.
When was Hamlet written?
Hamlet was likely written by William Shakespeare between 1599 and 1601. The first performances are documented around 1600 or 1601 by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, with Richard Burbage playing the title role. While exact dates are challenging to confirm, these factors suggest that the play was probably completed in early 1600.
Hamlet's Main Plot and Supporting Subplots
In Hamlet, the main plot centers on Prince Hamlet's quest for revenge against his uncle Claudius, who murdered Hamlet's father to seize the throne. Subplots enrich the narrative and support the main themes. Fortinbras, Laertes, and Ophelia serve as foils to Hamlet, highlighting different reactions to familial loss and vengeance. Fortinbras's military decisiveness contrasts with Hamlet's indecision, while Laertes's impulsive revenge parallels Hamlet's delay. Ophelia's tragic descent into madness contrasts with Hamlet's feigned insanity, deepening the play's exploration of grief and revenge.
Hamlet's Historical Basis
William Shakespeare's Hamlet is not a true story but is inspired by the Scandinavian legend of Amleth, as recorded by Saxo Grammaticus in the 12th century. Both Amleth and Hamlet share themes of feigned madness and revenge, reflecting a connection between the stories. However, the historical accuracy of these legends is debated, and Shakespeare's play focuses on creating an emotionally impactful drama rather than a factual historical account.
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