William Shakespeare

Hamlet
directly emerging from the breaks in religion and thought brought on by the
BACKGROUND INFO Reformation and Renaissance humanist thought.

EXTRA CREDIT
AUTHOR BIO
Shakespeare or Not? There are some who believe Shakespeare wasn't
Full Name: William Shakespeare educated enough to write the plays attributed to him. The most common
Date of Birth: 1564 anti-Shakespeare theory is that Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, wrote the
plays and used Shakespeare as a front man because aristocrats were not
Place of Birth: Stratford-upon-Avon, England
supposed to write plays. Yet the evidence supporting Shakespeare's
Date of Death: 1616 authorship far outweighs any evidence against. So until further notice,
Brief Life Story: Shakespeare's father was a glove-maker, and Shakespeare Shakespeare is still the most influential writer in the English language.
received no more than a grammar school education. He married Anne
Hathaway in 1582, but left his family behind around 1590 and moved to
London, where he became an actor and playwright. He was an immediate
PLOT SUMMARY
success: Shakespeare soon became the most popular playwright of the day as
A ghost resembling the recently deceased King of Denmark stalks the
well as a part-owner of the Globe Theater. His theater troupe was adopted by
ramparts of Elsinore, the royal castle. Terrified guardsmen convince a
King James as the King's Men in 1603. Shakespeare retired as a rich and
skeptical nobleman, Horatio, to watch with them. When he sees the ghost, he
prominent man to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1613, and died three years later.
decides they should tell Hamlet, the dead King's son. Hamlet is also the
KEY FACTS nephew of the present King, Claudius, who not only assumed his dead
brother's crown but also married his widow, Gertrude. Claudius seems an able
Full Title: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark King, easily handling the threat of the Norwegian Prince Fortinbras. But
Genre: Tragic drama; Revenge tragedy Hamlet is furious about Gertrude's marriage to Claudius. Hamlet meets the
ghost, which claims to be the spirit of his father, murdered by Claudius.
Setting: Denmark during the late middle ages (circa 1200), though characters
Hamlet quickly accepts the ghost's command to seek revenge.
in the play occasionally reference things or events from the Elizabethan Age
(circa 1500). Yet Hamlet is uncertain if what the ghost said is true. He delays his revenge
and begins to act half-mad, contemplate suicide, and becomes furious at all
Climax: The climax of Hamlet is a subject of debate. Some say it occurs when
women. The Lord Chamberlain, Polonius, concludes that Hamlet's behavior
Hamlet kills Claudius, others when Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius while
comes from lovesickness for Ophelia, Polonius's daughter. Claudius and
Claudius is praying, others when Hamlet kills Polonius, and still others when
Gertrude summon two of Hamlet's old friends, Rosencrantz and
Hamlet vows to focus on revenge at the end of Act 4.
Guildenstern, to find out what's wrong with him. As Polonius develops a plot
Protagonist: Hamlet to spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia, Hamlet develops a plot of
Antagonists: Claudius his own: to have a recently arrived troupe of actors put on a play that
resembles Claudius's alleged murder of Old Hamlet, and watch Claudius's
HISTORICAL AND LITERARY CONTEXT reaction.
When Written: Between 1599 - 1601 Polonius and Claudius spy on the meeting between Ophelia and Hamlet,
during which Hamlet flies into a rage against women and marriage. Claudius
Where Written: England
concludes Hamlet neither loves Ophelia nor is mad. Seeing Hamlet as a threat,
When Published: 1603 (First Quarto), 1604 (Second Quarto). he decides to send him away. At the play that night, Claudius runs from the
Literary Period: The Renaissance (1500 - 1660) room during the scene of the murder, proving his guilt. Hamlet gets his chance
for revenge when, on the way to see Gertrude, he comes upon Claudius, alone
Related Literary Works: Hamlet falls into the tradition of revenge tragedy, in
and praying. But Hamlet holds off—if Claudius is praying as he dies then his
which the central character's quest for revenge usually results in general
soul might go to heaven. In Gertrude's room, Hamlet berates his mother for
tragedy. This tradition existed from Roman times (the Roman playwright
marrying Claudius so aggressively that she thinks he might kill her. Polonius,
Seneca was well known for writing revenge tragedies). The most famous
who is spying on the meeting from behind a tapestry, calls for help. Hamlet
revenge tragedy of Shakespeare's day before Hamlet was Thomas Kyd's The
thinks Polonius is Claudius, and kills him.
Spanish Tragedy and some believe that Kyd wrote an earlier play of Hamlet,
now lost, which scholars call the Ur-Hamlet. The story of Hamlet is based on a Claiming that he wants to protect Hamlet from punishment for killing
Danish revenge story first recorded by Saxo Grammaticus in the 1100s. In Polonius, Claudius sends Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and
these stories, a Danish prince fakes madness in order to take revenge on his Guildenstern. But Claudius sends with the three men a letter asking the King
uncle, who had killed the prince's father and married his mother. But of England to execute Hamlet. Meanwhile, Polonius' son, Laertes, returns to
Shakespeare modified this rather straightforward story and filled it with dread Denmark from France to get revenge for his father's death. Claudius
and uncertainty—Hamlet doesn't just feign madness; he seems at times to convinces Laertes the death is Hamlet's fault. When a pirate attack allows
actually be crazy. Hamlet to escape back to Denmark, Claudius comes up with a new plot in
which a supposedly friendly duel between Hamlet and Laertes will actually be
Related Historical Events: Hamlet is in many ways a product of the
a trap, because Laertes's blade will be poisoned. As a backup, Claudius will also
Reformation, in which Protestants broke away from the until-then dominant
poison some wine that he'll give to Hamlet if he wins.
Catholic Church, as well as the skeptical humanism of late Renaissance
Northern Europe, which held that there were limits on human knowledge. Meanwhile, grief drives Ophelia insane, and she drowns in what seems to be a
Hamlet's constant anxiety about the difference between appearance and suicide. Hamlet arrives just as the funeral is taking place. He claims to love
reality, as well as his concerns about and difficulties with religion (the Ophelia and scuffles with Laertes. Back at the castle, Hamlet tells Horatio he
sinfulness of suicide, the unfairness that killing a murderer while the murderer switched the letter sent to England: now Rosencrantz and Guildenstern will
is praying would result in sending the murder to heaven) can be seen as be executed. He also says he is ready to die, and agrees to participate in the
fencing match.

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 Hamlet
During the match, Gertrude drinks to Hamlet's success from the poisoned play suggests that the Ghost really is the spirit of Hamlet's father, though
glass of wine before Claudius can stop her. Laertes then wounds Hamlet with Hamlet himself wonders at times if the Ghost might be a demon in disguise.
the poisoned blade, but in the scuffle they exchange swords and Hamlet Fortinbras — A prince of Norway, whose father, Old Fortinbras, died in battle
wounds Laertes. Gertrude falls, saying the wine was poisoned, and dies. with Old Hamlet and lost lands to Denmark. Fortinbras seeks to revenge his
Laertes reveals Claudius's treachery. Hamlet kills Claudius, and exchanges father's death and retake the lost lands. As another son seeking revenge for
forgiveness with Laertes. Laertes dies. As Hamlet dies, he hears the drums of his father, Fortinbras offers another "double" of Hamlet.
Fortinbras's army marching through Denmark after a battle with the Polish,
and says Fortinbras should be the next King of Denmark. Fortinbras enters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern — Friends of Hamlet's from Wittenberg who
with the Ambassadors from England, who announce that Rosencrantz and help Claudius and Gertrude try and figure out the source of Hamlet's
Guildenstern are dead. Horatio tells Hamlet's story as Hamlet's body is taken melancholy. Hamlet sees that the two are, essentially, spying on him, and turns
offstage with the honors due a soldier. on them. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern aren't the smartest fellows, but they
do seem to mean well, and the announcement of their deaths at the end of the
play helps to drive home the absurd and bloody lengths to which vengeance
CHARACTERS can extend once it is unleashed.
Osric — A foppish nobleman who flatters everyone more powerful than him
Hamlet — The prince of Denmark, son of Gertrude, nephew of Claudius, and and speaks in very flowery language.
heir to the throne. Hamlet is a deep thinker, focusing on impossible to answer
questions about religion, death, truth, reality, and the motivations of others. First Player — The leader of the troupe of actors who come to Elsinore.
He even obsessively contemplates the fact that he obsessively contemplates. Gravediggers — Two commoners employed to dig the graves in the local
He loves Ophelia and his mother, but his mother's marriage to Claudius churchyard.
makes him mistrust and even hate all women. He detests all forms of
Marcellus — A guardsman of Elsinore.
deception, yet plots and pretends to be insane. At times he even seems to be
insane. Despite his obsessive thinking, he can act impulsively, as when he kills Barnardo — A guardsman of Elsinore.
Polonius. Hamlet is an enigma, a man so complex even he doesn't completely Francisco — A guardsman of Elsinore.
know himself. In other words, he seems like a real person—which has made
Voltemand — A Danish ambassador to Norway.
Hamlet the most well known character in English literature.
Cornelius — A Danish ambassador to Norway.
Claudius — Hamlet's uncle, and Gertrude's second husband. Power-hungry
and lustful, Claudius murders his brother in order to take the throne of Reynaldo — A servant of Polonius.
Denmark and marry his wife. Claudius is a great talker and schemer. He easily Yorick — A jester at Elsinore in Hamlet's youth.
charms the royal court into accepting his hasty marriage to his brother's
widow, and comes up with plot after plot to protect his ill-gained power. He is Captain — An officer in Fortinbras's army.
the consummate politician, yet his hold on power is always slightly tenuous. At
various times he does show guilt for killing his brother, and his love of
Gertrude seems genuine.
THEMES
Gertrude — Hamlet's mother. After Hamlet's father dies, Gertrude quickly ACTION AND INACTION
marries Hamlet's uncle, Claudius. Though she is a good woman and loving
mother, she is weak-willed and unable to control her personal passions. Hamlet fits in a literary tradition called the revenge play, in which a man must
Whether because of lust, love, or a desire to maintain her status as queen, she take revenge against those who have in some way wronged him. Yet Hamlet
marries Claudius, though this is clearly a breach of proper morals. Though turns the revenge play on its head in an ingenious way: Hamlet, the man
some critics have argued that Gertrude might have been involved in seeking revenge, can't actually bring himself to take revenge. For reason after
Claudius's plot to kill Old Hamlet, evidence in the text suggests that she is reason, some clear to the audience, some not, he delays. Hamlet's delay has
unaware of and uninvolved in the plot. been a subject of debate from the day the play was first performed, and he is
Polonius — The Lord Chamberlain of Denmark, and the father of Laertes and often held up as an example of the classic "indecisive" person, who thinks to
Ophelia, whom he loves deeply and wishes to protect, even to the point of much and acts too little. But Hamlet is more complicated and interesting than
spying on them. Polonius is pompous and long-winded, and has a propensity to such simplistic analysis would indicate. Because while it's true that Hamlet
scheme, but without Hamlet's or Claudius's skill. He is very aware of his fails to act while many other people do act, it's not as if the actions of the other
position and role, and is always careful to try to be on the good side of power. characters in the play work out. Claudius's plots backfire, Gertrude marries
her husband's murderer and dies for it, Laertes is manipulated and killed by
Laertes — Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother. Laertes is hotheaded and his own treachery, and on, and on, and on. In the end, Hamlet does not provide
passionate, and loves his family deeply. As a man prone to action rather than a conclusion about the merits of action versus inaction. Instead, the play
thought who also seeks to revenge the death of his father, he serves as a makes the deeply cynical suggestion that there is only one result of both action
"double" to Hamlet, providing numerous points of comparison. and inaction—death.
Ophelia — Polonius's daughter, Laertes's sister, and Hamlet's love. As a
woman, Ophelia must obey the men around her and is forced by her father APPEARANCE VS. REALITY
first to stop speaking to Hamlet and then to help spy on him. Ophelia's loyalty In Act 1, scene 2 of Hamlet, Gertrude asks why Hamlet is still in mourning two
to her father and resulting estrangement from Hamlet ultimately causes her months after his father died: "Why seems it so particular with thee?" Hamlet
to lose her mind. Though Laertes and Fortinbras are the characters usually responds: "Seems, madam? Nay, it is, I know not 'seems.'" (1.2.75-76). The
seen as Hamlet's "doubles," Ophelia functions as a kind of female double of difference between "seems" (appearance) and "is" (reality) is crucial in Hamlet.
Hamlet—mirroring Hamlet's half-madness with her own full-blown insanity, Every character is constantly trying to figure out what the other characters
and takes his obsession with suicide a step further and actually commits it. think, as opposed to what those characters are pretending to think. The
Horatio — A university friend of Hamlet's at Wittenberg, Horatio becomes characters try to figure each other out by using deception of their own, such
Hamlet's confidante in his effort to take revenge against Claudius. Hamlet as spying and plotting.
values Horatio's self-restraint: Horatio is the character in Hamlet least moved But Hamlet takes it a step further. He not only investigates other people, he
by passion. also peers into his own soul and asks philosophical and religious questions
The Ghost — The spirit that claims to be Hamlet's dead father, forced to about life and death. Hamlet's obsession with what's real has three main
endure the fires of Purgatory because he was murdered by Claudius in his effects: 1) he becomes so caught up in the search for reality that he ceases to
sleep without being able to ask forgiveness for his sins. The Ghost orders be able to act; 2) in order to prove what's real and what isn't Hamlet himself
Hamlet to get revenge against Claudius, but spare Gertrude. Evidence in the must hide his "reality" behind an "appearance" of madness; 3) the more closely

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 Hamlet
Hamlet looks, the less real and coherent everything seems to be. Many
analyses of Hamlet focus only on the first effect, Hamlet's indecisiveness. But SYMBOLS
the second two effects are just as important. The second shows that the
relationship between appearance and reality is indistinct. The third suggests
that the world is founded on fundamental inconsistencies that most people
YORICK'S SKULL
overlook, and that it is this failure to recognize inconsistencies that allows Hamlet is not a very symbolic play. In fact, the only object that one can easily
them to act. Hamlet's fatal flaw isn't that he's wrong to see uncertainty in pick out as a symbol in the play is the skull of Yorick, a former court jester,
everything, but that he's right. which Hamlet finds with Horatio in the graveyard near Elsinore in Act 5, scene
1. As Hamlet picks up the skull and both talks to the deceased Yorick and to
WOMEN Horatio about the skull, it becomes clear that the skull represents the
There are two important issues regarding women in Hamlet: how Hamlet sees inevitability of death. But what is perhaps most interesting about the skull as a
women and women's social position. Hamlet's view of women is decidedly symbol is that, while in most plays, a symbol means one thing to the audience
dark. In fact, the few times that Hamlet's pretend madness seems to veer into and another to the characters in the novel or play, in Hamlet it is Hamlet
actual madness occur when he gets furious at women. Gertrude's marriage to himself who recognizes and explains the symbolism of Yorick's skull. Even this
Claudius has convinced Hamlet that women are untrustworthy, that their symbol serves to emphasize Hamlet's power as a character: he is as
beauty is a cover for deceit and sexual desire. For Hamlet, women are living sophisticated as his audience.
embodiments of appearance's corrupt effort to eclipse reality.
As for women's social position, its defining characteristic is powerlessness. QUOTES
Gertrude's quick marriage to Claudius, though immoral, is also her only way to
maintain her status. Ophelia has even fewer options. While Hamlet waits to ACT 1 QUOTES
seek revenge for his father's death, Ophelia, as a woman, can't act—all she can
do is wait for Laertes to return and take his revenge. Ophelia's predicament is Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not "seems." — Hamlet, 1.2.76
symbolic of women's position in general in Hamlet: they are completely O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew.
dependent on men. — Hamlet, 1.2.130
RELIGION, HONOR, AND REVENGE Frailty, thy name is woman! — Hamlet, 1.2.146
Every society is defined by its codes of conduct—its rules about how to act and Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral bak'd meatsDid coldly furnish forth the
behave. There are many scenes in Hamlet when one person tells another how marriage tables. — Hamlet, 1.2.179
to act: Claudius lectures Hamlet on the proper show of grief; Polonius advises This above all — to thine ownself be true;And it must follow, as the night the
Laertes on practical rules for getting by at university in France; Hamlet day,Thou canst not then be false to any man. — Polonius, 1.3.78
constantly lectures himself on what he should be doing. In Hamlet, the codes of
conduct are largely defined by religion and an aristocratic code that demands Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. — Marcellus, 1.4.95
honor and revenge if honor has been soiled. O, villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! — Hamlet, 1.5.105
But as Hamlet actually begins to pursue revenge against Claudius, he There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,Than are dreamt of in
discovers that the codes of conduct themselves don't fit together. Religion your philosophy. — Hamlet, 1.5.168
actually opposes revenge, which would mean that taking revenge could
endanger Hamlet's own soul. In other words, Hamlet discovers that the codes ACT 2 QUOTES
of conduct on which society is founded are contradictory. In such a world,
Hamlet suggests, the reasons for revenge become muddy, and the idea of Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,And tediousness the limbs and
justice confused. outward flourishes,I will be brief. — Polonius, 2.2.92
There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. — Hamlet,
POISON, CORRUPTION, DEATH 2.2.237
In medieval times people believed that the health of a nation was connected to I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were
the legitimacy of its king. In Hamlet, Denmark is often described as poisoned, it not that I have bad dreams. — Hamlet, 2.2. 241
diseased, or corrupt under Claudius's leadership. As visible in the nervous
soldiers on the ramparts in the first scene and the commoners outside the What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in
castle who Claudius fears might rise up in rebellion, even those who don't form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in
know that Claudius murdered Old Hamlet sense the corruption of Denmark apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals!
and are disturbed. It is as if the poison Claudius poured into Old Hamlet's ear And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? — Hamlet, 2.2.286
has spread through Denmark itself. What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,That he should weep for her? —
Hamlet also speaks in terms of rot and corruption, describing the world as an Hamlet, 2.2.518
"unweeded garden" and constantly referring to decomposing bodies. But The play's the thing,Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king. — Hamlet,
Hamlet does not limit himself to Denmark; he talks about all of life in these 2.2.566
disgusting images. In fact, Hamlet only seems comfortable with things that are
dead: he reveres his father, claims to love Ophelia once she's dead, and ACT 3 QUOTES
handles Yorick's skull with tender care. No, what disgusts him is life: his
To be, or not to be, —that is the question:—Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to
mother's sexuality, women wearing makeup to hide their age, worms feeding
sufferThe slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,Or to take arms against a
on a corpse, people lying to get their way. By the end of the play, Hamlet
sea of troubles,And by opposing end them? — Hamlet, 3.1.58
argues that death is the one true reality, and he seems to view all of life as
"appearance" doing everything it can—from seeking power, to lying, to Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am myself
committing murder, to engaging in passionate and illegitimate sex—to hide indifferent honest; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better
from that reality. my mother had not borne me. — Hamlet, 3.1.124
Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me. You would play
upon me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of
my mystery ... 'Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?
Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play
upon me. — Hamlet, 3.2.328

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 Hamlet
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below;Words without thoughts never to Next, Claudius turns to Hamlet, and By emphasizing that how he "is" is more
heaven go. — Claudius, 3.3.98 asks why he is still dressed in important than how he "seems," Hamlet
mourning clothes. Gertrude wonders implies that his interior reality is more
ACT 4 QUOTES why he "seems" so upset. Hamlet says powerful than any appearance.
Claudius: What dost thou mean by this?Hamlet: Nothing but to show you how he "is" upset, and that his clothes can't
a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar. (4.iii.28) capture his true mourning.

ACT 5 QUOTES Claudius chides that it's natural for Claudius lectures Hamlet on what's
fathers to die and for sons to mourn, natural, but Claudius murdered his own
Alas! poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest.... Where be your
but that mourning for too long is brother! Appearance vs. reality. Also,
gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were
unnatural and unmanly. He asks Wittenberg was where the Reformation,
wont to set the table on a roar? — Hamlet, 5.1.160
Hamlet to see him as a father, since a schism in religion, started.
We defy augury; there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be Hamlet is first in line to the thrown.
now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it He asks Hamlet not to return to
will come: the readiness is all. — Hamlet, 5.2.206 Wittenberg, Germany to study.
Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince;And flights of angels sing Gertrude seconds the request. But, tellingly, he doesn't promise to obey
thee to thy rest. — Horatio, 5.2.358 Hamlet promises to obey his mother. Claudius.

SUMMARY & ANALYSIS

All exit but Hamlet. In a soliloquy, It's important to note that Hamlet's
ACT 1, SCENE 1 Hamlet wishes he could die and that death wish exists even before he learns
On the ramparts of the Danish castle Nervous cries of "who's there?" builds God had not made suicide a sin. He of his father's murder. Fury at his
Elsinore, the guardsman Barnardo dread and develops theme of uncertain condemns the marriage between his mother's marriage to Claudius is enough
relieves Francisco. The men are reality. mother and uncle. He says Claudius is to make him contemplate suicide.
nervous, calling out "Who's there?" far inferior to Old Hamlet, and, in
Marcellus, another guard, and anguish, describes Gertrude as a
Horatio, a nobleman, arrive. lustful beast.

A Ghost appears. It looks like the The appearance of the ghost confirms Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo Horatio proves he is willing to speak
recently deceased Old Hamlet, King something is not right in Denmark. enter. Hamlet, who studied with honestly about reality by noting the
of Denmark. Horatio tries to speak to Horatio at Wittenberg, is happy to see speed of the wedding.
it, but it disappears. his friend, and pleased when Horatio
agrees that Gertrude and Claudius's
Horatio says the ghost might be The ghost is connected immediately to marriage was hasty.
warning of an attack. After all, the the theme of revenge—Fortinbras's Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost. Hamlet learns his internal feelings of
prince of Norway, Fortinbras, is revenge. Hamlet, troubled, decides to watch unease are mirrored by spiritual unease
raising an army to retake lands that with the men that night. in Denmark.
Old Hamlet won in battle from
Fortinbras' father.
The Ghost reappears but disappears Every father/son relationship in the play
again without speaking when the cock leads to revenge. ACT 1, SCENE 3
crows to greet the dawn. Horatio
As he prepares to leave for France, Laertes worries about Ophelia's honor
decides they should tell Hamlet, the
Laertes warns his sister Ophelia not just as Hamlet worries about Gertrude's.
dead King's son, about the ghost.
to fall for Hamlet, a young man whose
passions will change, and a prince who
ACT 1, SCENE 2 must marry to preserve the "sanity
The next morning, King Claudius, the Claudius uses language as a tool to and health" of the state.
brother of the dead king, holds court. smooth over actions that are immoral.
He uses pretty language to make his He uses language to create the Ophelia promises, but sassily tells Inequality between men and women.
recent marriage to Gertrude, his appearance of propriety. Laertes to listen to his own advice.
brother's widow, sound perfectly
normal. He says it is possible to
balance "woe" and "joy." Polonius enters, scolds his son for Father/son talk here mirrors Claudius's
taking so long, then immediately with Hamlet—except Polonius isn't just
Claudius then says he has received a Fortinbras is a son looking to revenge his starts giving him long-winded advice trying to hide a secret.
message from Fortinbras demanding father. about how to act: be sociable, but not
Denmark give up the lands Old vulgar; do not lend or borrow money;
Hamlet won from Old Fortinbras. He to your own self be true, and on and
sends Cornelius and Voltemand with on… Finally, he lets Laertes leave.
a message to Fortinbras' elderly uncle,
the King of Norway.
Claudius turns to Laertes, the son of Laertes/Polonius is another father/son
the Lord Chamberlain, Polonius. relationship.
Laertes asks to be allowed to return
to his studies in France. Claudius
agrees.

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 Hamlet
Polonius asks Ophelia what she was Polonius gave Laertes advice, but gives Horatio and Marcellus rush in. As soon as reality is revealed, Hamlet
talking about with Laertes. Ophelia Ophelia orders: women in Denmark are Hamlet refuses to tell them what hides behind mask of madness. But at
answers: Hamlet. After Polonius asks expected to obey. happened, saying they'll reveal it. But times already he seems actually to be
her to explain, she says that Hamlet he does say he may pretend to be mad.
has expressed his love for her. insane, and makes them swear to
Polonius tells her that Hamlet is silence on his sword. The Ghost's
pretending to love her in order to voice echoes: Swear! They swear.
sleep with her, and forbids her to talk
to him. Hamlet despairs at the burden the A few lines after promising to seek
Ghost has given him: "The time is out revenge, Hamlet is already cursing his
Ophelia promises to obey. Just as Hamlet promised Gertrude. of joint. / O cursed spite! That ever I fate.
was born to set it right!"
(1.5.189-190).

ACT 1, SCENE 4 ACT 2, SCENE 1

On the bitter cold ramparts, Hamlet, Hamlet connects indulgence of desires to Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo Polonius is established here as a
Horatio, and Marcellus keep watch. corruption. What looks like enjoyment to Paris to give Laertes some money meddler; he instructs Reynaldo in using
Meanwhile, from inside the castle only hides internal corruption. and letters, but also to secretly check appearance to hide reality.
they hear the roar of revelry. Hamlet up on him. Polonius's instructions are
condemns Claudius's constant so detailed and complicated that they
merry-making, saying that it makes are absurd.
the noble Danes look "swinish" and
corrupt. Ophelia enters, upset. She tells Is Hamlet pretending, or is he actually
Polonius that Hamlet burst into her mad? The answer isn't clear.
The Ghost appears and beckons Religion provides no answers: what looks room and held her wrists, studying
Hamlet to follow it. But Horatio and good could be evil. her face and sighing. Then he left
Marcellus hold him back: they think without a word.
the ghost may be a demon laying a
trap for him. Polonius concludes that Hamlet has Polonius decides Hamlet really did love
gone mad with love because, on Ophelia after all, but does not apologize
Hamlet breaks free of them and Hamlet takes decisive action. Polonius's orders, Ophelia stopped to his daughter.
follows after the Ghost. speaking with him.

Marcellus says "something is rotten in The nation suffers for the immorality of ACT 2, SCENE 2
the state of Denmark" (1.4.90). They its leaders.
run after Hamlet. Claudius and Gertrude greet R and G are introduced. They never see
Hamlet's old friends Rosencrantz and through the various plots and are
Guildenstern, whom they summoned manipulated by everyone.
to Elsinore to figure out why Hamlet is
ACT 1, SCENE 5 so melancholy. Rosencrantz and
When Hamlet and the Ghost are The Ghost reveals reality. Also note that Guildenstern happily agree to help.
alone, the Ghost speaks. It claims to the way Claudius murdered Old Hamlet,
Polonius enters and says that he has Some critics wonder at whether
be the spirit of Old Hamlet, murdered by pouring poison into Old Hamlet's ear,
figured out the cause of Hamlet's Gertrude was complicit in Old Hamlet's
by Claudius. Though the official story is actually a wonderful metaphor for
lunacy. But, first, the ambassadors murder. But her comment here indicates
is that Old Hamlet was napping in his lying, for using language to hide reality.
have returned from Norway. He goes she's unaware that Claudius murdered
garden and was stung by a serpent, in
to get them. While Polonius is gone, Old Hamlet.
reality Claudius poured poison into
Gertrude remarks that Hamlet's
the sleeping man's ear, murdering him
mania probably comes from his
and sending him to Purgatory because
father's death and her too-hasty
he was not given a chance to confess
marriage to Claudius.
his sins before he died.
Polonius returns with the Fortinbras agrees to give up his effort to
The Ghost commands Hamlet to seek Another command from a father.
ambassadors. They report that the revenge his father and seek honor in
revenge against Claudius for murder Another promise to obey.
King of Norway rebuked Fortinbras, another way. Is his promise reality, or
and for corrupting Gertrude. Yet the
who promised not to attack the appearance? Has Claudius just allowed a
Ghost also warns Hamlet not to harm
Danes. Norway then rewarded hostile army to march into his country?
his mother. Dawn breaks. The Ghost
Fortinbras by letting him attack the
disappears.
Poles. Now Norway asks that
Hamlet promises to do nothing but Hamlet promises to act, yet he curses his Claudius give Fortinbras' army free
seek revenge. He curses first mother before Claudius. A "smiling passage through Denmark on the way
Gertrude, "O most pernicious villain" is an example of appearance vs. to Poland. Claudius agrees. The
woman!" (1.5.105), then Claudius, reality. ambassadors leave.
"That one may smile, and smile, and be
a villain!" (1.5.108).

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 Hamlet
After a long-winded ramble about Polonius comes up with another plot to ACT 3, SCENE 1
Hamlet's madness, Polonius reads try to find out what's really bothering
love letters Hamlet sent to Ophelia. Hamlet. Polonius once again is willing to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can't While Hamlet is searching for evidence
Claudius and Gertrude agree that use Ophelia in that plot. figure out what's behind Hamlet's odd about whether Claudius killed Old
lovesickness may be causing Hamlet's behavior, but tell Claudius and Hamlet, Claudius is seeking evidence
behavior. Polonius proposes that they Gertrude that he was excited by the about what's bothering Hamlet.
stage a meeting between Hamlet and arrival of the players. The King and
Ophelia and spy on it to test his Queen, hopeful that Hamlet is
theory. Claudius agrees. improving, agree to watch the play.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit.
Hamlet enters, reading. The King and Hamlet speaks in prose here, Gertrude leaves as well, since
Queen leave Polonius alone to talk representing his "madness." But Hamlet Claudius and Polonius have chosen
with him. Polonius speaks with uses madness only to mock Polonius, not this moment to set up the "accidental"
Hamlet, who responds with to seek revenge. meeting between Hamlet and
statements about pregnancy, death, Ophelia.
and rot that, though nonsensical, also
seem to refer to Denmark, Ophelia, Polonius tells Ophelia to walk in the Polonius muses on appearance vs.
and Polonius. Polonius, perplexed, courtyard as if reading a book. He reality, and is sure he can tell one from
exits. muses that people often use the other.
appearances to "sugar o'er the devil"
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter. Hamlet wants the world to delight him, (3.1.47).
Hamlet greets his old friends warmly, but he knows things (such as the fact
and tells them that Denmark is a that his father was murdered) that make Claudius, struck by Polonius's words, Claudius privately admits his guilt,
prison. They disagree. Hamlet its beauty meaningless, a lie. And if life is mutters an aside about a "deed" that proving that in fact Polonius can't tell
responds, "then tis none to you; there pointless, what's the point of seeking his "painted words" (3.1.52) can't hide appearance from reality.
is nothing either good or bad but revenge? from his conscience. They hear
thinking makes it so" (2.2.245-246). Hamlet coming and hide.
He launches into a long speech about
the beauty of the world and nobility of In a soliloquy, Hamlet agonizes over Hamlet tries to think through his wish for
man, all of which looks to him like dust whether to kill himself: "To be or not death, his fears about the likely
and fails to delight him. to be" (3.1.55). He thinks men would unfairness of the afterlife, and his
Hamlet asks why they've come. They R and G are dupes, acting without any almost always choose suicide over the inability to act. But before he can find a
say to visit him, but Hamlet angrily understanding—they're the opposite of "slings and arrows" (3.1.57) of solution he sees Ophelia—a woman.
demands whether they were Hamlet, who understands too much. experience, except that they fear what
summoned by the King and Queen. might happen in the afterlife. He
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern admit observes that such thinking turns
they were. people into cowards, and action into
inaction. Suddenly Ophelia enters and
Hamlet cheers up a little when Actors make appearance seem like tries to return the gifts Hamlet gave
Rosencrantz mentions the arrival of a reality for a living. her. He denies having ever given
troupe of players (actors). Hamlet them.
says his "uncle-father and
aunt-mother" are wrong: he's only Hamlet asks Ophelia if she's honest, Hamlet's hatred of women seems to
insane some of the time (2.2.359). then says beauty corrupts honesty. have made him self-destructively crazy.
Becoming angry, he tells Ophelia he (Here he reveals his plans to kill
Polonius enters with the players. Priam was killed by the Greek Pyrrhus, loved her once, then says he never someone!) In particular, Hamlet hates
Hamlet mocks Polonius, but greets who was getting revenge because loved her. He commands her to go to a that women hide the reality of their faces
the players warmly. He asks the First Priam's son, Hector, killed Pyrrhus's son. nunnery rather than become a behind makeup: it makes beauty
player to act a speech about the "breeder of sinners" (3.1.120), and dishonest, hiding age (and death) behind
Trojan queen Hecuba's grief at the says all men, including himself, are a pleasant mask.
death of her husband, Priam. The "arrant knaves" (3.1.127). He
Player does, with great feeling. condemns women for hiding their
Hamlet tells Polonius to treat the It's interesting that Hamlet, who is so faces behind makeup. Then states that
players well and give them good obsessed with what is real, feels so there will be no more marriages—and
lodgings, and privately asks the First comfortable with actors, whose job is to that one person who's married
Player to perform The Murder of make the unreal seem real. already will die. Hamlet storms off.
Gonzago on the following night, with Ophelia is heartbroken.
some extra lines Hamlet will insert Claudius, from his hiding place, Does Claudius suspect Hamlet knows
himself. The Player agrees. decides that Hamlet neither loves something about the murder? Whether
Alone, Hamlet is furious that the By condemning himself for not acting Ophelia nor is he mad. Instead, he yes or no, he wastes no time in acting.
Player could get so emotional over and then plotting to use the play to thinks Hamlet is "brooding" on
long-dead Hecuba, while he can't even determine Claudius's guilt, Hamlet something, and that this brooding will
bring himself to revenge his murdered reveals his fear that Claudius might not lead to danger. He decides to send
father. Hamlet muses on a plan he's be guilty, that the Ghost might be lying. Hamlet to England.
come up with: he'll have the players Hamlet has a reason for his inaction: lack Polonius still thinks Hamlet loves Polonius cares more about confirming
show a scene similar to Claudius's of evidence. Ophelia. He requests that after the his theory than comforting Ophelia.
murder of his father: "The play's the play Hamlet be sent to talk with
thing wherein I'll catch the conscience Gertrude, where Polonius will once
of the King" (2.2.582). again spy.

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 Hamlet
ACT 3, SCENE 2 ACT 3, SCENE 3
Hamlet lectures three of the players Hamlet's instructs actors how to bridge Claudius says Hamlet is a danger, and R and G echo belief that health of a
on how to act. His lecture focuses on the gap between appearance and reality! orders Rosencrantz and country is tied to the legitimacy of the
how to avoid overacting, suiting action Guildenstern to prepare to leave for King. They don't know that Claudius isn't
to word and word to action. They exit. England. They agree that if the King legitimate.
were to die it would be a tragedy for
Hamlet has already told Horatio what Hamlet plans to use the "appearance" of the country, and exit.
the Ghost said, and now reveals his the play to simulate "reality" in order to
plan: the play to be put on will mirror prove if that reality is really real. Then, he Polonius enters with news: Hamlet is Polonius is still stuck in the old plot, while
the Ghosts' description of Claudius's says, he'll take revenge. headed to Gertrude's room, where new plots are afoot.
murder of Old Hamlet. If Claudius Polonius will hide behind a tapestry.
looks guilty while watching it, then he
is.
Finally alone, Claudius cries out that Now audience knows that Claudius both
Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Hamlet puts on a "play" of his own—he
his "offense is rank!" (3.3.36). He guilty and unable to repent. In other
Ophelia, and others arrive to watch pretends to be insane.
wants to pray, but doesn't see how he words, he deserves to be killed by
the play. Hamlet tells Horatio he's
can ask forgiveness when he Hamlet...
now going to act insane.
possesses the spoils of the murder,
neither of which he wants to give up:
Claudius asks how Hamlet is faring. Once again, Hamlet's anger at women Gertrude and the throne. Yet he
Hamlet responds as if Claudius were pushes his pretend madness toward kneels to pray.
using the word "fare" to mean food, something less pretend.
and says he's eating the air. Hamlet Hamlet enters. He draws his sword to Why does Hamlet delay again? Because
mocks Polonius's attempts to act at kill Claudius and be revenged. But it he realizes that Christianity is arbitrary.
university, harasses Ophelia with occurs to him that if he kills Claudius Getting to heaven is based on when you
sexual puns, then makes bitter as Claudius prays, then Claudius will pray rather than who you are. Religion
remarks about Gertrude for marrying go to heaven. That isn't real revenge, itself seems to have been duped by
Claudius. especially when Claudius murdered appearance. Hamlet waits to get true
Hamlet's father before he could pray, revenge.
The players enter and first act out a If Hamlet is using madness only to try to sentencing Old Hamlet to torment in
dumbshow (a short silent play that protect himself from suspicion, why does purgatory. Hamlet decides to wait
shows what the longer play is about). he mock the King and Queen so until Claudius is sinning to kill him.
The players then begin to act the full obviously? And why mock Ophelia at all? Hamlet exits.
play. As the plot becomes clear,
Gertrude and Claudius become Claudius stops praying. The attempt The ultimate irony. Hamlet is himself
uncomfortable. Hamlet mocks them, was useless: "My words fly up, my duped by appearance: Claudius only
while continuing to launch sexual puns thoughts remain below. / Words looked like he was praying.
at Ophelia. Claudius asks the name of without thoughts never to heaven go"
the play. Hamlet says, "The (3.3.97-87).
Mouse-trap."
When the villain in the play pours Claudius' reaction reveals that he really ACT 3, SCENE 4
poison into the king's ear, Claudius is guilty. Polonius and Gertrude wait for Polonius has no idea that his spying is
jumps from his seat, calls for light, and Hamlet in Gertrude's chamber. now pointless since Claudius already
rushes from the room. Polonius advises her to be tough with knows Hamlet has found him out.
Hamlet. Just then they hear Hamlet
Hamlet is triumphant. He tells Hamlet's fear that Ghost was lying coming. Polonius hides behind a
Horatio that this proves the Ghost delayed his revenge. tapestry.
was telling the truth.
Hamlet enters. Gertrude says he has Hamlet suggests his mother is hiding
offended his father (i.e. Claudius). from the truth she knows in her heart.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter R and G try to use the guise of friendship Hamlet says that she's offended his
and say that his mother wants to see to learn Hamlet's thoughts. Such father (i.e. Old Hamlet). Hamlet then
him. Hamlet agrees to go, but dishonesty angers Hamlet. furiously says he'll show her the
furiously tells them they cannot "pluck "inmost part" of herself. Gertrude
out the heart of his mystery" or play thinks he means he's going to kill her
him like a flute (3.2.336). and cries out.

Polonius enters, repeating Gertrude's Hamlet shows that Polonius will lie to From his hiding place behind the By stabbing Polonius (whom he thinks is
request to see him. Hamlet pretends flatter those who are more powerful than tapestry Polonius hears Gertrude's Claudius) Hamlet proves it wasn't fear of
to see odd shapes in a non-existent he. cry and calls for help. Hamlet, killing that caused him to delay.
cloud. Polonius also pretends to see mistaking Polonius for Claudius, stabs
the shapes. Polonius through the tapestry.

All exit but Hamlet, who says to Hamlet knows he has no reason to delay
himself that he could "drink hot blood" revenge now, and shows that he knows
(3.2.360), but forces himself to his anger at women is out of control.
remember not to hurt his mother.

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 Hamlet
Gertrude shouts, "What a rash and Hamlet links Claudius's crime of murder ACT 4, SCENE 3
bloody deed!" (3.4.27). Hamlet with Gertrude's "crime" of marrying
responds, "As bad… as kill a king, and Claudius! Is he testing to see if Gertrude Claudius mulls how to deal with Claudius is always thinking about
marry with his brother" (3.4.29). was in on the plot? Hamlet. The killing of Polonius has politics, about appearances.
Gertrude is shocked. Hamlet pulls convinced him that Hamlet is too
back the tapestry and sees Polonius. dangerous to remain nearby, but at
He dismisses him as a "rash, intruding the same time he is unsure how to
fool" (3.4.32). send Hamlet away because the people
of Denmark love Hamlet.
Hamlet forces Gertrude to look at a Hamlet's graphic description of
picture of his father and compare it to Gertrude's lovemaking with Claudius Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter Hamlet's mockery and word play begins
one of Claudius, whom he describes makes it sound dirty and corrupt. Once with Hamlet. Claudius asks where to focus on death. He describes how life
as a "mildewed ear" (3.4.64). Gertrude more his anger at his mother's betrayal Polonius is. Hamlet answers that devours itself in order to live, and
begs him to stop, but Hamlet can't: takes precedence over his goal of Polonius is feeding worms. He explicitly links this idea to the image of
"but to live in the rank sweat of an revenge. explains that a dead king will do the worms devouring a king. In doing so,
enseamed bed, stew'd in same and, through the processes of Hamlet is indirectly threatening
corruption…honeying and making love nature, might end up in the "guts of a Claudius.
over the nasty sty" (3.4.82-84). She beggar." Hamlet then says Claudius
again begs him to stop. could send someone to check for
Polonius in heaven or go down to
The Ghost appears in order, it says, to The Ghost's visit is ambiguous. Why check in hell himself. Finally, Hamlet
refocus Hamlet on his duty—revenge can't Gertrude see it? Why would it risk tells them that in a month they may
against Claudius. Hamlet speaks to it. making Hamlet look insane? Many smell Polonius's body rotting beneath
Gertrude can't see the ghost and directors cut this scene. the stairs to the castle lobby.
thinks Hamlet's mad. The Ghost tells
Hamlet to calm her. Claudius sends Rosencrantz to get Claudius doesn't feel the need for
the body, then tells Hamlet that to evidence to act against Hamlet. As soon
Hamlet tries to convince Gertrude Does Gertrude agree to keep silent protect him he will send him as Hamlet seems like a threat, Claudius
that he's sane, and begs her to confess because Hamlet has convinced her he's immediately to England. Hamlet plots to have him killed, and uses the
her sins, to be pure and avoid sleeping right, or because he frightens her? agrees, though he continues to insult unknowing R and G to make it happen.
with Claudius, and to keep secret that Claudius. Claudius sends
he, Hamlet, is not actually mad. Guildenstern to make sure Hamlet
Gertrude promises. gets on the ship immediately. Finally
alone, Claudius writes a letter for the
Hamlet exits, dragging Polonius's Quests for vengeance often result in three men to give to the King of
body after him. more than the intended death. England—a letter that asks the King to
execute Hamlet.

ACT 4, SCENE 4
ACT 4, SCENE 1 Near the coast of Denmark, By sending the captain to greet Claudius,
Claudius sees that Gertrude is upset. It's unclear if Gertrude is keeping Fortinbras's army marches toward Fortinbras shows he means to keep his
She says Hamlet was acting insane, Hamlet's secret or really does think he's Poland. He sends a captain to Elsinore word not to attack Denmark.
and in his madness killed Polonius. mad. with a message of greeting for the
King of Denmark.

The captain runs into Hamlet, Fortinbras is willing to act to gain honor.
Claudius exclaims that if he had been Claudius doesn't mourn for Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern, and Though Hamlet, as you'd expect, sees
behind the tapestry, he would now be instead worrying about himself and how happily tells them the land about to be such thoughtless action as ridiculous, he
dead. He thinks of how best to explain to manage the murder politically. fought over is worthless. Hamlet asks also sees the nobility in it.
the murder to the public, and sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to go
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find on ahead. In a soliloquy, he bitterly
Hamlet. compares himself to Fortinbras and
his soldiers. They go to die just for a
ACT 4, SCENE 2 chance at honor, while he, with much
greater reason to act, has failed to
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find By calling R a "sponge," Hamlet implies revenge himself on Claudius. Hamlet
Hamlet. They ask where Polonius's that through their foolishness R & G vows "from this day forward may all
body is. Hamlet responds in riddles have been taken over by Claudius. They my thoughts be bloody," and promises
and insults—he calls Rosencrantz a have lost their inner reality. to focus only on revenge.
"sponge" soaking up the king's favor.
Hamlet agrees to see Claudius, but ACT 4, SCENE 5
then dashes off.
Gertrude and Horatio sadly discuss Hamlet's madness is feigned. Ophelia's is
the madness that has taken over real. As a woman, Ophelia can't act, so
Ophelia since Polonius was killed. she goes mad.
Ophelia enters, singing mournful
songs about her father.

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 Hamlet
Claudius enters. Ophelia's madness Do Ophelia's songs about seduced maids A messenger enters with letters from Claudius uses flattery of Laertes
upsets and unnerves him. Ophelia's indicate that she had a sexual Hamlet. Claudius is bewildered at swordsmanship to convince Laertes to
songs change topic, and focus on relationship with Hamlet? This is an Hamlet's return. Laertes is pleased: join his plot. Claudius doesn't care about
maids who are seduced. She exits with unresolved question in the play. now he'll get his chance at revenge. Laertes' honor. He just wants to get rid of
the comment that her brother shall Claudius comes up with a plot. Hamlet. Compare Laertes willingness to
know of her father's death. Horatio Claudius says Laertes' skill with a kill Hamlet in church; this is exactly what
follows her. sword recently aroused Hamlet's Hamlet refused to do to Claudius.
envy, and Claudius thinks they could
Claudius mentions that the Contrast with Hamlet: as soon as Laertes lure Hamlet into a duel with Laertes.
commoners are also angry about hears of his father's murder, he returns Claudius asks to what length Laertes
Polonius's death, and that Laertes has to Denmark and nearly starts a would go to get revenge on Hamlet.
secretly sailed back to Denmark. A revolution! Laertes says: "to cut his throat in a
messenger rushes in with news that church" (4.7.98).
Laertes is actually marching toward
the castle at the head of a mob Claudius reveals his plan: they will Laertes, who prides himself on honor,
chanting "Laertes king!" poison Laertes's sword. The slightest has been corrupted. He's joined an
scratch will kill Hamlet. As a backup, ignoble plot using deception and poison.
Gertrude exclaims that the mob and Ironic that Gertrude defends the man Claudius decides to poison a glass of
Laertes are blaming the wrong person who killed her husband. wine and offer it to Hamlet during the
for the death of Polonius. duel.
Gertrude rushes in with news that The male response to tragedy is to seek
Laertes bursts into the room. Another point of comparison with Ophelia has drowned. While revenge. Ophelia, who cannot "act"
Claudius asks for calm. Laertes Hamlet in terms of willingness to act to gathering flowers she fell into the because she's a woman, opts for suicide.
retorts that to be calm would make get revenge. river and sang songs as her clothes
him a bastard, that he would dare grew heavy and pulled her under.
damnation just to get revenge for the
death of his father. Claudius admits Laertes, weeping, exits. Claudius Claudius only cares about how Ophelia's
that Polonius is dead. Gertrude adds fears Ophelia's death might reignite death might affect him and his power.
that Claudius did not kill him. Laertes anger and rebellion. He and
Gertrude follow Laertes to calm him
Ophelia enters. She is clearly insane, The flowers held symbolic meaning in down.
singing songs, speaking in riddles, and Shakespeare's time. Rosemary for
handing out flowers (perhaps remembrance. Pansies for thoughts. ACT 5, SCENE 1
imaginary): rosemary and pansies to Fennel for flattery. Columbines for
Laertes; fennel and columbines to infidelity. Daisies for seduction. In a cemetery, two gravediggers By pointing out that nobles receive
Gertrude; rue and daisies to Claudius. discuss whether the body to be put in different treatment from organized
Laertes demands vengeance for her the grave they're digging should religion than poor people do, the
madness. Ophelia exits, wishing God's receive a Christian burial. The first gravediggers show religion is unfair and
blessing on everyone. grave digger argues that because the influenced by appearance rather than
dead woman did not try to escape the the "reality" of someone's soul. Religion,
Claudius asks Laertes to let him Laertes acts without thinking. Claudius water her death was a suicide. The that bedrock of human life, can't be
explain what happened to Polonius, can manipulate those who don't think second says that if she had not been a trusted, and all of Hamlet's earlier
and promises to hand over the crown and turn their actions to his own noblewoman she would not have philosophizing about religion and death,
to Laertes if, after the explanation, his advantage. received a Christian burial. The first all his agonizing, was pointless.
actions still strike Laertes as unjust. grave digger asks a riddle: who builds
stronger than the mason, shipbuilder,
or carpenter? Answer: The
ACT 4, SCENE 6 grave-maker, whose "houses" last
until doomsday.
A sailor gives Horatio letters from The pirate attack is an example of deus
Hamlet. The letter says that a pirate ex machina—a device used to further the Hamlet and Horatio enter. The Hamlet's continuing fascination with
attacked Hamlet's ship. Hamlet was plot and return Hamlet to Denmark. It second gravedigger exits. The first death here comes in contact with the
taken prisoner and returned to doesn't have any real thematic meaning. gravedigger throws up a skull he has man who knows the most about it: a
Denmark for a ransom, while found in the grave he's digging, then grave digger.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern another. Hamlet wonders what sort of
continue on to England. Horatio is to people the skulls belonged to when
send the sailors to Claudius, and then alive, and comments that their earthly
to find Hamlet. possessions mean nothing to them
now. The grave digger says that he
ACT 4, SCENE 7 became a grave digger on the day that
Old Hamlet defeated Old Fortinbras
Alone with Claudius, Laertes asks why Claudius is always calculating, always
in battle, which was also the same day
Claudius didn't punish Hamlet for careful to manipulate events and
that Hamlet was born.
killing Polonius. Claudius answers: perceptions of events. He has already
First, he loves Gertrude and she's blunted Laertes' purpose.
Hamlet's mother; second, Hamlet is
loved by the people, so punishing him
might have caused a revolt.

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 Hamlet
Hamlet asks the gravedigger how There is one reality that awaits all men: Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and the Laertes speaks of honor while plotting
long it takes a body to decompose. death and decomposition. No matter entire court enter to watch the duel. against Hamlet. He's sold his soul for
The grave digger points to a skull that whether you're Caesar or a beggar, that's Hamlet apologizes to Laertes. Laertes vengeance.
was once Yorick, a court jester. your fate. While Horatio says that won't accept the apology until he can
Hamlet is shocked: he knew Yorick. Hamlet is still thinking too much, Hamlet consult an expert on honor. The two
Hamlet examines the skull. He realizes seems to find the idea freeing. men select their foils (swords).
that death will claim everyone, and Laertes picks the poisoned foil.
says no amount of makeup can hold
off the inevitable. Hamlet then Claudius announces that if Hamlet The "jewel" is poison—appearance vs.
wonders if the bodies of great kings gets one of the first three hits he will reality.
like Alexander and Caesar now are drink to Hamlet's health and then
dust used to plug holes. drop a jewel into the cup and give it to
Hamlet. The duel starts. Hamlet
Horatio says Hamlet is considering Horatio diagnoses Hamlet's "fatal flaw." scores the first hit. Claudius drops the
"too curiously"—is overthinking jewel into the wine. Hamlet,
things. concentrating on the duel, says he'll
drink the wine later.
Hamlet and Horatio hear a noise and The priest is unwilling to provide further
Hamlet scores the second hit. Claudius is in so deep that he can't admit
hide. Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, a ceremony because it seemed like suicide.
Gertrude lifts the poisoned cup to reality even to save his wife.
priest, and other lords enter in a The priest can't tell the difference
drink in Hamlet's honor. Claudius
funeral procession with a coffin. The between appearance and reality, so he
tries to stop her, but can't tell her why
priest refuses to provide further plays it safe.
without revealing his plot. She drinks.
religious services because Ophelia's
death seemed like suicide. Laertes They duel. Laertes wounds Hamlet, Laertes gets his revenge, but it rebounds
says his sister will be an angel while drawing blood. They scuffle, and in the on himself.
the priest howls in hell. scuffle end up exchanging swords.
Hamlet wounds Laertes.
Laertes jumps into Ophelia's grave to Interesting that Hamlet claims to love
embrace her once more. Hamlet, Ophelia only after she dies.
shocked and distraught at Ophelia's Gertrude falls. Claudius claims Claudius lies right up until the end. But
death, follows Laertes into Ophelia's Gertrude fainted because she saw death is a reality that appearance can't
grave and claims to have loved Hamlet and Laertes bleeding, but hide.
Ophelia more than forty-thousand Gertrude says the wine was poisoned.
brothers could. They grapple until She dies.
Hamlet exits in a rage.
Laertes, who knows he's dying of his Reality revealed.
ACT 5, SCENE 2 wound from the poisoned sword,
reveals Claudius's treachery.
In Elsinore, Hamlet tells Horatio that R and G are duped again. Their sad fate
he discovered that the letters shows the way plots and deception tend Hamlet stabs Claudius and then Hamlet gets his revenge.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern bore to widen and take the lives of those on forces him to drink the poisoned wine.
to England asked that Hamlet be the periphery too. Claudius dies.
executed. Hamlet switched the letter
with one that requested Rosencrantz
Laertes forgives Hamlet and asks for Hamlet and Laertes are honest before
and Guildenstern be executed.
forgiveness. Laertes dies. Hamlet they die.
Hamlet says he has no sympathy for Hamlet identifies with Laertes. forgives him.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who
gave up their honor to curry favor
with the king. But he is sorry he Horatio wants to kill himself, but Through Horatio, Hamlet will reveal
fought with Laertes, who only wanted Hamlet forbids it: Horatio must tell Claudius's lies.
to revenge his own father. Hamlet's story to the world.
A dandyish nobleman, Osric, enters. Osric is what Hamlet most hates—a man
Hamlet gets him to agree first that it's who values appearance over reality.
In the distance a cannon sounds. Fortinbras achieves "vengeance" by not
cold, then that it's actually hot. Osric
Fortinbras is returning victorious pursuing it. He's the only character who
announces that Claudius has wagered
from Poland, and fired the blast to never plots—he always chooses reality
Hamlet can defeat Laertes in a duel.
honor English ambassadors arriving over appearance.
Hamlet agrees to fight.
to Denmark. Hamlet says that
Horatio says that Hamlet will lose the Hamlet is finally at peace. He accepts Fortinbras should be made King of
wager. Hamlet says he'll win a fair death. Death comes for everyone, so why Denmark, then dies.
fight, but he has a bad foreboding. not face it now? Note that Hamlet has
Fortinbras and the English The deaths of R and G emphasize absurd
Horatio urges him to call off the duel. ceased to plot: he's chosen reality over
ambassadors enter. Amazed at the and bloody reach of revenge.
But Hamlet says there's no use trying appearance.
carnage, the ambassadors announce
to escape death: it will come no
that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
matter what.
are dead.

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 Hamlet
Horatio begins to tell the story of Claudius's lies are swept away, and
what has happened in Denmark. Denmark is "healed" by a legitimate
Fortinbras orders Hamlet be honored succession from Hamlet to Fortinbras.
as a soldier, since he would have made
a great king.

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