Hamlet Act 1 Scene 1

Characters: Barnardo, Francisco, Horatio, Marcellus, Ghost

Summary

The play begins on a very cold night outside the royal Danish palace. Guards are
changing shifts when two soldiers, Bernardo and Marcellus, tell Horatio, a scholar, about
a ghost they've seen for the past two nights – it's the ghost of the former King of
Denmark, Hamlet. They want Horatio to witness it too.

On this third night, the ghost appears again. The soldiers ask Horatio to talk to the
ghost, but it disappears before he can. After the ghost vanishes, Marcellus wonders why
the Danish army is getting ready for war. Horatio explains that they're preparing for a
possible invasion by Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway. Fortinbras wants to take back
lands that were lost when his father died in a fight with Hamlet's father.

As Horatio finishes explaining, the ghost reappears. This time, when Horatio tries to talk
to it, the ghost stays silent. They try to attack it with their spears, but they only hit air.
Just as the ghost is about to speak, a rooster crows, scaring it away. Horatio decides to
tell Prince Hamlet, the son of the deceased King Hamlet, about the ghost. The others
agree

Analysis
Right from the beginning of the play, Shakespeare creates a scary and uneasy
feeling. The guys on the night watch at Elsinore Castle are pretty scared, and
something or someone is making them feel uneasy.

In Hamlet, ghosts are real, and it's not just in one person's imagination. Many
characters can see the ghost, and that means it's a serious matter.

The fact that the ghost looks like the recently-dead King of Denmark is a bad sign
that everyone immediately understands. In a world where the country's well-being
depends on the king, the appearance of a ghostly king suggests trouble, unrest, and
maybe even something evil in Denmark.

Horatio's reaction in this part shows that the ghost's appearance is a bad omen for
Denmark. This scene hints at all the problems—both spiritual and political—that
will happen in the play.
Shakespeare introduces a conflict between Norway and Denmark in this part. It's a
struggle where a son, wanting to honor his father, plans to avenge him. This story
of Fortinbras seems similar to what's happening with Hamlet, but as the play goes
on, Shakespeare will show that Hamlet's way of dealing with revenge is more
complicated than Fortinbras's straightforward approach.

Even though the guys are scared of the ghost and what it might mean, Horatio
knows he has to face it and accept its presence to calm it down. Horatio is a man of
action, similar to Fortinbras, and this is in contrast to Hamlet, who finds it hard to
make decisions and figure out what's right.

Horatio understands he needs to get Hamlet involved to deal with the ghost, but
he's not sure what kind of journey he's starting for his friend, the prince.
Act 1 Scene 2

Characters: Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Laertes, Hamlet,

Cornelius, Voltemand, Horatio,Marcellus, Barnardo

Summary
This part of the story takes place in the castle of King Claudius and Queen Gertrude in
Denmark. They've just gotten married, and it happened soon after the former king, Old
Hamlet, who was Claudius' brother, passed away.

Claudius talks about his mixed feelings – being sad for his lost brother but also happy
about his new marriage to Gertrude, who used to be his sister. He also mentions the
issue with young Fortinbras wanting to invade Denmark, but he's sent two messengers,
Cornelius and Voltemand, to sort things out with Fortinbras' uncle in Norway.

Next, Claudius talks to Laertes, the son of his advisor Polonius, who wants to go back to
France. Claudius gives him permission.

Then, Prince Hamlet, who has been standing quietly, finally speaks up. Claudius wonders
why Hamlet is still sad. Hamlet gives evasive and cynical answers, expressing his grief
over losing his father. Claudius advises him to move on and stay in Denmark instead of
going back to his studies in Wittenberg. Hamlet agrees.

After everyone leaves, Hamlet is alone and shares his deep sadness and disgust at his
mother marrying Claudius so quickly after his father's death. He thinks his father was
much better than Claudius.

In a conversation with his old friend Horatio and others, Hamlet learns that his father's
ghost appeared the night before. Hamlet decides to join them that night to see the
ghost himself.

Analysis
In this part of the story, it becomes clear that most people at Elsinore have moved on from the
death of the former king, except for Hamlet. Claudius, the new king, has quickly taken over,
making Hamlet's position less prominent. This sudden rise to power by Claudius seems
suspicious. Claudius has adapted to his role effortlessly, handling court matters, diplomatic
affairs, and even becoming the husband of his deceased brother's wife. However, there is an
almost too perfect quality to Claudius's smooth transition, raising questions about the
circumstances surrounding the former king's death and the new king's rapid ascent to the
throne.

Claudius aims to showcase his readiness to deal with any external threats in a public manner.
This demonstration is driven by the belief that the well-being of the nation is closely connected
to the health and capability of the king. Claudius wants to convey that, in comparison to other
seemingly ineffective foreign leaders, he is competent, decisive, and possesses both physical and
mental strength. This exhibition is meant to reinforce his image as a powerful and capable ruler.

The court has intricated social rules that reflect the complicated codes of religion, honor, and
revenge that Hamlet will soon have to navigate. The customs and expectations within the royal
court are complex, mirroring the intricate principles of religion, honor, and revenge that Hamlet
will soon find himself entangled in. These societal norms play a significant role in shaping the
characters' actions and decisions as the story unfolds.

This passage introduces Hamlet as moody and sarcastic, but it seems justified given the
circumstances. When he says he is "too much in the sun," it's a clever play on words indicating
his unhappiness with Claudius marrying his mother. The phrase "It is common" is another play
on words suggesting that his mother's marriage to Claudius is beneath her. Hamlet is upset that
his mother has degraded herself by marrying her deceased husband's brother. The idea of being
called Claudius's son infuriates him. At this point, Hamlet doesn't have any evidence of
wrongdoing or foul play – his anger stems from his disgust at what he sees as madness and
chaos within his own family.

In this situation, everyone else is eager to move forward from the king's death and embrace a
new era. However, Hamlet finds it difficult to stop mourning his father. Even though his "new"
father, Claudius, advises him to let go of his persistent sadness, Hamlet remains isolated in his
grief. Hamlet is not interested in joyous gatherings or being part of the collective spirit—he is
entirely consumed by his own sorrow. With an inherently thoughtful and melancholic
personality, Hamlet's mental state worsens as he confronts and reflects on issues like death, evil,
and the need for revenge. The weight of these profound matters takes a toll on Hamlet's well-
being.

Hamlet is visibly upset and tortured about what course of action to take. He realizes that he
cannot passively accept the current situation, but he's uncertain about how to alter the recent
events that have created turmoil within his fractured family. Hamlet is caught in a dilemma,
grappling with the desire to address the wrongs and uncertainties surrounding him while
struggling to find a clear path forward.

Hamlet is keen on expressing his dissatisfaction with the current situation at Elsinore, and he
doesn't hesitate to share his grievances with anyone willing to listen, including Horatio and the
sentinels. Despite his indecision and the confusion surrounding how to address his suspicions of
Claudius, Hamlet is resolute in understanding that some action must be taken to rectify the
injustice surrounding his father's death. There's a clear sense that Hamlet feels a responsibility to
address the wrongs that have occurred.

The sentinels' portrayal of the ghost as appearing "very pale" adds to the sense that something
is wrong in Denmark. The return of the king's ghost itself is unsettling, but its unhealthy
appearance, even when dressed for war, raises further concerns. The ghost's pallor draws
associations with the Pale Rider, a figure from the biblical Four Horsemen of the apocalypse, who
rides the horse of Death and symbolizes an ominous presence of darkness and suffering. The
ghost's outward sign of illness serves as a metaphor for a broader societal ailment and political
decline within the kingdom, suggesting a deeper malaise afflicting the social and political fabric
of Denmark.
Act 1 Scene 3

Summary

The scene starts with Laertes saying goodbye to his sister, Ophelia. During their farewell,
Laertes advises Ophelia about her relationship with Hamlet, telling her to forget about
him because he's the Prince of Denmark and not a suitable husband for her. He
emphasizes the importance of guarding her chastity, her most valuable treasure.
Ophelia agrees to follow his advice.

Just as Laertes is leaving, their father, Polonius, arrives. Polonius gives Laertes a blessing
and a bunch of advice before sending him on his way. After Laertes leaves, Polonius asks
Ophelia what they were talking about. Ophelia admits they were discussing her
relationship with Hamlet. She shares that Hamlet has made many honorable
declarations of love to her. However, Polonius dismisses these declarations, saying that
Hamlet just wants to take advantage of her and then leave. He makes Ophelia promise
not to spend any more time alone with Hamlet, and she agrees to obey.

Analysis

This passage indicates that Ophelia and Hamlet share some form of a relationship. While
Shakespeare leaves the specifics of their romantic and sexual history unclear, Laertes's
concern about Ophelia potentially losing her sense of self and honor suggests that he
believes she is deeply involved with Hamlet. This also underscores the societal emphasis
on Ophelia's sexual purity, making it a significant social concern. The passage implies
that Ophelia's reputation and virtue are at stake, and Laertes feels the need to caution
her against compromising her honor in her association with Hamlet.

Polonius acts very polite and flattering when talking to the king and queen. But when he
talks to his own kids, he tends to say things that sound wise and confident, even if he
might not really mean them. This shows that there's a difference between how he wants
to appear to others and what he's truly thinking and feeling inside.

This passage reveals that Ophelia is constantly influenced and directed by the men in
her life. Her father and brother try to control not just her actions but also her emotions
and sexuality. At the same time, Hamlet's promises and affections pull her in a different
direction. With so many men trying to dictate her life, Ophelia is forced to suppress
certain parts of herself to meet their expectations. This way of living is stressful and
dishonest, and it foreshadows that she will become increasingly unstable as the play
progresses.
Act 1 Scene 4

Summary
At the night watch, Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus are waiting for the ghost to appear
again. They hear cannons from the castle, and Hamlet says it means Claudius is drinking
a lot. Hamlet complains about the Danish tradition of heavy drinking. Just as he finishes
speaking, the ghost reappears.

Hamlet talks directly to the ghost, asking it to speak. The ghost signals for Hamlet to
come away from the others. Horatio and Marcellus try to stop Hamlet, warning him of
possible dangers. But Hamlet doesn't listen. He even threatens to harm Horatio or
Marcellus if they try to stop him. Ignoring their warnings, Hamlet follows the ghost
offstage. Horatio and Marcellus decide to follow at a distance to make sure nothing bad
happens to their friend.

Analysis
Hamlet's distrust and dislike of his uncle intensify each day as he observes the king's loud and
extravagant celebrations. Claudius has swiftly moved on from the recent death of Hamlet's
father, whereas Hamlet still mourns him deeply and with great sadness. The stark contrast in
their reactions contributes to Hamlet's growing suspicion and animosity towards Claudius.

This passage introduces Hamlet's apparent inclination towards suicide. This nonchalant attitude
toward his own life continues throughout the play, as Hamlet considers suicide, takes risks that
could lead to his execution and engages in other reckless behaviors. The loss of his father seems
to have made Hamlet question the purpose of his own life, as the sudden and unceremonious
death of a powerful and beloved king makes him reflect on the fragility of life itself.

Marcellus and Horatio are scared of the ghost, unlike Hamlet who seems unafraid and indifferent
about his own safety. They are genuinely concerned about their friend and worry about him
getting into danger. The intense emotions and anger the ghost triggers in Hamlet reinforce
Marcellus's belief that there is a significant problem not only within the royal family but also in
the entire country. The ghost's influence on Hamlet contributes to the growing sense of unrest
and disturbance within the kingdom.

Act 1 Scene 5

Summary
Alone with Hamlet, the ghost finally speaks. It tells Hamlet that it comes from Purgatory,
a place of suffering, because of the sins in its life. The ghost reveals that it was not bitten
by a snake, as officially claimed, but was actually murdered. Even more shocking, the
ghost says that Claudius, Hamlet's uncle who is now the king and married to Hamlet's
mother, was the murderer. The ghost describes how Claudius sneaked into its garden
and poisoned it while it napped, causing a painful death and an impure soul in the
afterlife. The ghost demands revenge and instructs Hamlet to focus on avenging the
murder by Claudius, not his mother. Then, the ghost disappears.

Hamlet, overwhelmed and somewhat crazy-sounding, promises to kill Claudius. Just as

he makes this vow, Horatio and Marcellus arrive. Although Hamlet doesn't share what
the ghost said, he makes them swear not to talk about the ghost to anyone. They agree.
Hamlet insists they swear again on his sword, which confuses them. The ghost, still
speaking under the stage, emphasizes the need for secrecy. Hamlet takes his friends to
different spots on stage, making them swear repeatedly. He then hints that he might act
strangely in the future, pretending to be mad, but they must keep the ghost's secret.
After the final agreement, Hamlet leads them offstage, determined to get revenge for
his father's murder.

Analysis
Even before the ghost reveals who it is or why it's there, it asks Hamlet for revenge, and Hamlet
agrees. This emphasizes the significance of revenge and honor in Hamlet's society—they take
precedence over everything else. The fact that Hamlet readily agrees to seek vengeance
underscores the importance placed on these values within the cultural context of the play.
Hamlet is initially eager to seek revenge for his father's ghost but becomes unsure when
he realizes the complexities of revenge. The ghost strongly condemns Claudius for his
immoral actions, using vivid language. It introduces a religious aspect, connecting
Claudius to betrayal and evil. Hamlet later repeats this language, showing his increasing
anger. The ghost demands loyalty and secrecy from Hamlet, and its return emphasizes
its hunger for vengeance.

Hamlet, in turn, demands complete loyalty and silence from his friends. The ghost can
appear anytime it wants. The passage suggests that Hamlet might pretend to be mad to
hide his investigation and desire for revenge, indicating that his madness may be a
cover.