Hamlet Summary

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, written by William Shakespeare (1564–1616), was composed between 1599 and 1601 and first published in 1603 in what is known as the “First Quarto.” The play is set in the royal palace of Elsinore in Denmark, where its tragic events unfold.

Character analysis

Hamlet: Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark and the protagonist of the play. He is a complex character known for his indecision and intellectual nature.

Claudius: Claudius is the main antagonist of the play. He is King Hamlet's brother and has married Queen Gertrude shortly after King Hamlet's death. He is a cunning and manipulative character who is responsible for King Hamlet's murder. He is consumed by his own ambition for power and is willing to go to great lengths to maintain his position, even if it means harming others.

King Hamlet's Ghost: The ghost of King Hamlet serves as a crucial character, as it sets the entire plot in motion. It appears to Hamlet and reveals the truth about its murder by Claudius, compelling Hamlet to seek revenge.

Queen Gertrude: Gertrude is Hamlet's mother and the Queen of Denmark. She is caught in a difficult position between her son, Hamlet, and her new husband, Claudius. Her character is somewhat ambiguous, as her role in King Hamlet's murder is unclear. Some interpretations suggest that she may have been involved or, at the very least, aware of Claudius's actions. She becomes a tragic figure, caught between her loyalty to her son and her husband.

Horatio: Horatio is Hamlet's loyal and trustworthy friend from the university. He serves as a confidant to Hamlet and is the only person who can see and communicate with King Hamlet's ghost. Horatio plays a vital role in the unfolding of events and provides stability and support to Hamlet.

Polonius: Polonius is a counselor to the king and is the father of Laertes and Ophelia. He is a somewhat bumbling and intrusive character who is deeply concerned about his family's reputation. He plays a role in Claudius's plot to spy on Hamlet and is accidentally killed by Hamlet in a moment of impulsivity.

Ophelia: Ophelia is Polonius's daughter and Hamlet's love interest. She is a gentle and obedient character who is eventually driven to madness due to her father's death and Hamlet's erratic behavior. Her character represents innocence and is tragically manipulated by those around her.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: These two characters are Hamlet's childhood friends who are called to Elsinore by Claudius to spy on Hamlet. They initially appear as friends but later become pawns in Claudius's plan, and Hamlet ultimately outwits them.

Laertes: Laertes is Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother. He returns to Denmark from France leaving his studies to avenge his father's death. He is initially a foil to Hamlet but is ultimately manipulated by Claudius to participate in a plot against Hamlet.

Fortinbras: Fortinbras is the Prince of Norway and serves as a contrast to Hamlet. He is a military leader and represents the theme of revenge in the play because 23 years ago King Hamlet snatched away some area of Norway. However, he takes control of Denmark at the end of the play.

Themes

Revenge: Hamlet's quest for vengeance against Claudius drives much of the plot.

Madness: Hamlet's feigned madness and the question of his true mental state are central themes.

Deception: Characters often wear masks and engage in deceitful actions to achieve their goals.

Corruption and Decay: The state of Denmark is depicted as corrupt and decaying, mirroring the moral decay of its rulers.

Summary

A ghost looking like the recently deceased king of Denmark has been roaming on the walls of Elsinore, the palace of Denmark, for several nights. The sentinnels/guards of the castle are terrified because of this. The horrified sentinels Marcellus, Francisco, and Barnardo talk to prince Hamlet's university friend Horatio about the ghost. Along with the sentinels, Horatio meets the ghost and tries to talk to it but the ghost does not talk to them. Horatio decides to inform prince Hamlet about this. Hamlet consents to meet the ghost. At mid night, the ghost appears before Hamlet and takes Hamlet aside to talk to him alone. It claims to be the spirit of his father and explains the cause of king's death. The ghost tells Hemlet that people of Denmark think that King Hamlet has died because of venomous snake's biting that is completely fake. Rather it was Claudius who poured poison in King Hamlet's ears while he was in asleep in his orchard like other days. The ghost also ensures that Queen Gertude is pious and innocent. So, Hamlet will avenge on Claudius only. Enraged and confused Hamlet believes in the ghost's words and vows to take revenge.

As time goes on, Hamlet becomes confused and procrastinates. Though he has reason to suspect that his uncle Claudius is guilty, he does not have strong proof. That is why he decides to investigate his father's murder. He pretends as mad. He thinks of committing suicide and becomes a misogynist. He tells himself that his madness is a front/anterior to investigate the murder. Queen Gertrude feels restlessness because of her son's abnormal behavior but Claudius becomes skeptical.

Seeing Hamlet acting like a madman, Claudius' aged counselor Polonius asserts that Hamlet has been mad because of his daughter Ophelia's love. But Queen Gertrude and Claudius are not convinced of Polonius' ensurement. For this reason, Claudius calls up Hamlet's two school friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern so that they can investigate Hamlet's madness.

These two spies start their work in hopes of being rewarded and rich but they totally forget that they are friends of Hamlet. On the other hand, Polonius arranges a plot to ensure that Hamlet's madness is only for love. According to the plan, Hamlet and Ophelia will talk to each other in a room and Polonius and Claudius will listen to them secretly. Meanwhile, some traveling actors reach Elsinore. Hamlet plans that a play within play named "The Murder of Gonzago" also known as "The Mousetrap" will be performed by these traveling actors and if Claudius reacts, it will be sure that Claudius is guilty of King Hamlet's assassination.

Then the day comes when Hamlet and Ophelia meet and Polonius and Claudius start listening to them shamelessly. Ophelia returns Hamlet all the gifts and letters that Hamlet gave Ophelia countless times. These are really signs of romantic love between them and also indicate that Hamlet had a sexual relationship with Ophelia. Hamlet angrily abuses Ophelia and suggests to go to a nunnery and hide herself away from men. Claudius understands that Hamlet is neither mad nor loves Ophelia. He decides to send Hamlet to England where Hamlet will be a less nuisance for him.

At the play that night, the actors perform a scene that mirrors the events of King Hamlet's murder. Seeing this, Claudius feels disturbed and runs away from the theatre room. Thus, he proves himself guilty in Hamlet's eyes. Gertrude is infuriated by Hamlet's mishave during the play. She summons Hamlet to her room to know what is actually going on. While going to his mother, Hamlet gets a superb chance to avenge. But he stops when he sees Claudius praying. Claudius prays as if God may gift him heaven after death. In fury, Hamlet moves toward his mother's room.

When Gertrude asks Hamlet what he is trying to prove. Inruriated Hamlet abuses his mother for marrying Claudius hastily. At this moment, King Hamlet’s ghost appears before Hamlet and orders him not to talk to his mother in such a manner since she is innocent. In fact, Claudius trapped her for marriage. Gerturude cannot see the ghost. She only notices that Hamlet is arguing alone that is why she cries out that her son is truly a mad. Seeing Hamlet’s madness, Polonius calls for help. Actually, he was spying on the meeting from behind tapestry. Hamlet thinks Polonius is Claudius and stabs him severely through the tapestry. Polonius dies instantly.

After Polonius’s death, Claudius convinces Hamlet to go to England for his safety. He sends Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. His real motive is to kill Hamlet that is why he writes a letter to the King of England to kill Hamlet on sight. On the way to England, Hamlet is captured by the pirates. Meanwhile, Polonius's son Laertes returns to Denmark from France to avenge his father’s death. He notices that Ophelia has been insane because of their father’s death. He becomes furious for revenge. Claudius tries to calm him down saying that Hamlet will die very soon. In the meantime, a messenger informs Claudius that Hamlet has sent two letters; one for the king and another for his mother Queen Gertrude. Claudius orders to read the letter loudly. From the letter, it is learnt that Hamlet has returned to Denmark instead of oing to England and he wants to explain the reason of his coming back. Claudius makes another plan with Laertes to kill Hamlet. At this moment, Gertrude informs Claudius that Ophelia drowns in the nearby brook. Laertes madly rushes toward Ophelia.

Hamlet meets Horation in the graveyard. In the meantime, Ophelia’s funeral starts. When Hamlet begins mourning for Ophelia’s immature death and declares his deep love for Ophelia, Laertes attacks Hamlet. They start fighting. Horatio and other courtiers separate them. After the funeral, Hamlet and Horatio reach the castle and Hamlet tells Horatio about Claudius’ heinous plan. But Hamlet has been able to send Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to death. In the meantime, a young courtier named Osric comes to Hamlet and informs him that Laertes has challenged Hamlet in a duel. Hamlet accepts the challenge.

According to Claudius' plan, Laertes will hit Hamlet with a poisonous sword and if this plan does not work, after winning the fight, Hamlet will drink a glass of poisonous wine. Thus, he will taste the taste of death. The fight starts. Unfortunately, Gertrude drinks the poisonous drink and Laertes hits Hamlet. While thrashing, their swords get changed and Hamlet also hits Laertes with the poisonous sword. In the meantime, Gertrude collapses because of the action of poison. Laertes understands that Hamlet has hit him with the poisonous sword. He exposes Claudius' dirty plan before the public. He begs forgiveness from Hamlet. Hamlet also does so. Then Hamlet hits Claudius with the sword several times and forces him to drink the poison. In the meantime, Hamlet hears the marching drums of Fortinbras who is returning from a battle in Poland. Before death, Hamlet requests Horatio to narrate his tragic story in front of the world and ensures that Norwegian prince Fortinbras will be the next king of Denmark. Fortinbras arrives at the spot. After hearing everything from Horatio, Fortinbras gives Hamlet a grand funeral.