Characters:
Hamlet- The main character, just lost his father, and recently watched his mom marry his uncle who took over the throne. He loves Ophelia and he is dead by the end of the story.
Ophelia- Daughter of Polonius, and Gertrude's lady in waiting. Loves Hamlet and commits suicide during the play due to her father's death.
Claudius- Hamlet's uncle, and now the king of Denmark. Provides the poison that kills himself, Gertrude, and Hamlet.
Gertrude- Hamlet's mom, Claudius's wife, and queen of Denmark. Drinks Claudius's poison and kills herself.
Polonius- Father to Ophelia and Laertes. Is stabbed by Hamlet.
Laertes- Son of Polonius and brother to Ophelia. Laertes dies during the sword fight.
Horatio- Hamlet's best friend.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern- Basically inseparable, friends of Hamlet, sent to watch his every move.
Summary:
The play opens with a seen in one of the halls at the Castle of Elsinore in Denmark, with the guards discussing that they have seen a ghost. Turns out this ghost, is actually there, and it is the old king Hamlet. They tell young Hamlet that he needs to come and see his ghost father. Old Hamlet tells young Hamlet that he needs to seek revenge on his uncle, Claudius because he is the one who killed him. Hamlet begins to go mad, obsessing over how he will make this happen to honor his father. Polonius informs Claudius that this madness may be to due to Hamlet loving his daughter, Ophelia. Claudius and Polonius decide to spy on a conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia, and Polonius's suspicions are shot down. Hamlet lashes out telling Ophelia to go to a nunnery. Hamlet ordered an acting trope to act out the story between Claudius and old Hamlet, to try and test Claudius. When Claudius has to leave during the performance, Hamlet confirms that what his dad told him is the truth and is determined to go through with killing him. When Hamlet has the perfect opportunity to gain revenge, he finds his uncle praying. He decides that it wouldn't be fair for him to go to heaven, when his father has not yet, so does not go through with it. Hamlet goes to talk to his mother, Gertrude, about everything that is going on regarding his dad and his uncle. He does not know that Polonius is listening in, and when Hamlet hears something behind the curtain, he stabs that person, assuming it was Claudius. Claudius was outraged and sent Hamlet off with Rosencrantz and Guidenstern to be killed. The news of her father's death is not easy on Ophelia, and she ends up drowning herself in a river. On Hamlet's way out, pirates attacked his ship and he goes back to Elsinore. Laertes blames Hamlet for not only his father's death, but also his sister's and the two of them have a sword fight. Claudius was involved and poisoned Laertes sword so if it cut Hamlet, he would die from the poison. He also adds poison pearls to a potion to poison Hamlet just in case his other method does not work. Gertrude decides to first drink from the cup, and ends up dying, and then Hamlet drinks and dies, as well as Claudius who is forced to drink. After everyone is dead, Fortinbras, King of Norway has arrived and takes over Denmark.
Theme:
An atmosphere of moral confusion along with isolation, can lead to paranoia and corruption and the upset of the natural order.
Due to Elsinore being separated from the rest of their country, they become isolated from everyone else. They are unable to see the consequences of their decisions and how they impact others. Hamlet is morally confused on whether to kill his uncle like requested by his father, or to follow the Bible, which is against murder.
Notable Quotes:
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." (Act I, Scene IV, Line 67)
"To be, or not to be: That is the question:" (Act III, Scene I, Line 58)
"This above all: to thine own self be true." (Act I, Scene III, Line 78)
