Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601. The play is set in Denmark and follows the story of Prince Hamlet, who seeks revenge for the murder of his father, King Hamlet, by his uncle Claudius. The play is known for its complex characters and themes, as well as its use of dramatic irony and soliloquies.
Below is an outline of the main events in the play:
I. Introduction
The play opens with the appearance of the ghost of King Hamlet, who tells his son Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius, the king's brother and Hamlet's uncle.
Hamlet is hesitant to believe the ghost at first, but eventually decides to feign madness in order to investigate and seek revenge.
II. Act I
The play begins with the appearance of the ghost and Hamlet's encounter with it.
Horatio, a scholar and friend of Hamlet, is also present and sees the ghost.
Hamlet speaks with his mother, Queen Gertrude, and Claudius, who are unaware of the ghost's appearance.
Hamlet feigns madness in order to investigate his father's murder and seek revenge.
III. Act II
Hamlet meets with the players, a traveling theater troupe, and asks them to perform a play called "The Murder of Gonzago."
The play is a retelling of King Hamlet's murder, and Hamlet hopes that it will reveal the guilt of Claudius.
During the performance, Claudius becomes agitated and leaves the room, which Hamlet takes as confirmation of his guilt.
Hamlet also speaks with his old school friend, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who have been sent by Claudius to spy on him.
IV. Act III
Hamlet confronts his mother about her role in his father's murder and urges her to confess.
Polonius, a lord and advisor to Claudius, is spying on the conversation and is accidentally killed by Hamlet.
Hamlet becomes suspicious of Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, and sends a letter warning him not to attack Denmark.
V. Act IV
Claudius sends Hamlet to England, hoping to get rid of him.
Laertes, son of Polonius, returns to Denmark and plots with Claudius to kill Hamlet.
Ophelia, a lady-in-waiting and Hamlet's former love interest, goes mad and drowns.
VI. Act V
Fortinbras, who has received Hamlet's letter, attacks Denmark.
Hamlet returns to Denmark and confronts Laertes in a fencing match, which is rigged by Claudius to kill Hamlet.
However, the plan backfires and both Laertes and Claudius are killed.
Hamlet is also fatally wounded, but not before killing Claudius and avenging his father's death.
VII. Conclusion
The play ends with the death of the main characters and the ascension of Fortinbras as the new king of Denmark.
Throughout the play, themes of revenge, madness, and betrayal are explored through the actions and words of the characters. The play's use of soliloquies and dramatic irony also add to its complexity and depth. Hamlet remains one of Shakespeare's most popular and enduring works, and has been adapted into numerous film, television, and stage productions.
Outline Story of Hamlet by William Shakespeare » Smart English Notes
MARCELLUS Peace, break thee off! HORATIO 90 Be ruled. Treatment of women D. Analysis Outline Scene 2 Setting: Room in the castle. HORATIO A piece of him. Claudius tricked the entire kingdom, and deceived young Hamlet and.
What is between you? Events before the start of Hamletset the stage for tragedy. MARCELLUS Speak to it, Horatio. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. Get thee to bed, Francisco. At the match, Claudius prepares poisoned wine for Hamlet, which Gertrude unknowingly drinks; as she dies, she accuses Claudius, whom Hamlet kills.
Hamlet devises a plan to capture the guilt on the face of his uncle while he watches the play, showing that he has the patience and the determination to seek his revenge. He betrays Hamlet as he keeps him in the dark about the exchange of sword and lies to him into drinking the poison. . In Gertrude's room, Hamlet berates his mother for marrying Claudius so aggressively that she thinks he might kill her. Hamlet explains to Horatio how he avoided the death which was planned for him in England and how he killed the two courtiers, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet confronts Laertes, Ophelia's brother, who has taken his father's place at the court. Hamlet continues to mourn for his father's death and laments his mother's lack of loyalty.
Sends Cornelius and Voltimand to Norway to try and stop the prince from attacking. They had hoped to find the reason for Hamlet's sudden change in behaviour but could not. Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it As needful in our loves, fitting our duty? REYNALDO Ay, very well, my lord. First Performance- 1602 First Published- 1603 Setting: Elsinore Castle in Denmark Themes: deceit, duplicity, madness Characters: Hamlet- prince of Denmark Hamlet senior- hamlet's deceased father; ghost Claudius- current king of Denmark; Hamlet's uncle Gertrude- Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, married to uncle Claudius Ghost- Appearing to be Hamlet's father, the former king Polonius- Counselor to the King Laertes- Son of Polonius Ophelia- Daughter of Polonius; love interest to Hamlet Fortinbras- Prince of Norway Fortinbras Senior- Killed by Hamlet; senior in war Horatio- Hamlet's friend and fellow student at wittenburg Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- former school of fellows of Hamlet; also at wittenburg Source: Two possible sources Gesta Danorum- 1200- story of amleth Histories Tragiques- by francious de belleforest, gives an account of the story, as well 1570 Hamlet Senior, former kind of denmark, killed Fortinbras senior, former king of Norway. The play ends with a duel, during which the King, Queen, Hamlet's opponent and Hamlet himself are all killed.
Ophelia drowns in an apparent suicide, and a funeral is arranged for her. There are many sides to him; only through his soliloquies does Hamlet reveal his true thoughts and feelings. FRANCISCO Barnardo hath my place. Laertes, the son of Lord Chamberlain Polonius, gives his sister Ophelia some brotherly advice. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forgèd process of my death 45 Rankly abused. When Claudius tells Laertes that Polonius he is dead, Ophelia enters with a bundle of flowers, each one symbolic. When Hamlet hears of the Ghost from Horatio, he wants to see it for himself.
Hamlet is summoned by his distressed mother, Gertrude, and on the way, he happens upon Claudius kneeling and attempting to pray. Speak to it, Horatio. FRANCISCO For this relief much thanks. As Hamlet dies, he hears the drums of Fortinbras's army marching through Denmark after a battle with the Polish, and tells Horatio, with his dying breath, that Fortinbras should be the one to ascend to the throne as the next King of Denmark. HORATIO That can I. The Ghost tells Hamlet to avenge his death and refrain from punishing Queen Gertrude for remarrying. Info about depression- typical symptoms and its aggravators C.
Hamlet, now free to act, mistakenly kills Polonius, thinking he is Claudius. HORATIO What news, my lord? He then goes on raging of his uncle. Then, if he says he loves you, It fits your wisdom so far to believe it 30 As he in his particular act and place May give his saying deed, which is no further Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal. OPHELIA My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced, No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled, 90 Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle, Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosèd out of hell To speak of horrors—he comes before me. Claudius concludes that the cause of Hamlet's madness is not his love for Ophelia, and decides that he should send Hamlet away to England, unless Gertrude can figure out the true cause.
She goes mad and drowns. See you now 70 Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth; And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlasses and with assays of bias, By indirections find directions out. Hamlet reveals himself and brawls with Laertes, exclaiming that he loved Ophelia more than forty thousand brothers could. During the match, Claudius conspires with Laertes to kill Hamlet. POLONIUS 110 Affection, puh! Hamlet reveals his desire to kill King Claudius. He tells Hamlet about how Claudius, the current King and Hamlet's uncle, murdered him, and Hamlet swears vengeance for his father.
Whether considered as literature, philosophy, or drama, its artistic stature is universally admitted. Hamlet decides to feign madness while he tests the truth of the Ghost's allegations always a good idea in such situations. MARCELLUS It is offended. FRANCISCO 15 I think I hear them. Hamlet and Horatio speak with a cheerful gravedigger. HORATIO It beckons you to go away with it As if it some impartment did desire 65 To you alone.
Hamlet swears Horatio and Marcellus to shut their mouths over Hamlet meeting the Ghost. Hamlet agrees to take watch. Their arrival coincides with a group of travelling actors that Hamlet happens to know well. King Claudius, scared of Hamlet, decides to have Hamlet sent away to England as soon as possible. The soliloquies show that Hamlet is an intelligent man being able to plot revenge on his Uncle, while giving the idea that he was insane.
