Overview
This summary covers the main plot events and key characters of Shakespeare's Hamlet, focusing on the prince's quest for revenge and the tragic consequences at Elsinore Castle.
The Ghost and Hamlet’s Quest
- A ghost appears at Elsinore Castle, resembling the dead King Hamlet.
- The ghost reveals to Prince Hamlet that King Hamlet was murdered by his brother Claudius.
- Claudius has taken the throne and married Queen Gertrude, Hamlet's mother.
- The ghost tells Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing Claudius.
Hamlet’s Hesitation and Madness
- Hamlet is deeply affected by the revelation and becomes melancholic and indecisive.
- Claudius and Gertrude worry about Hamlet’s strange behavior and have his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spy on him.
- Polonius suspects Hamlet is lovesick for Ophelia and Claudius agrees to spy on them together.
- Hamlet rejects Ophelia and tells her to enter a nunnery, denying love and advocating against marriage.
The Play within the Play
- Hamlet arranges for actors to perform a play that mimics King Hamlet’s murder.
- Claudius reacts guiltily to the play, confirming his guilt to Hamlet and Horatio.
- Hamlet refrains from killing Claudius while he is praying, fearing it would send Claudius to heaven.
Deaths and Downfall
- Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius while confronting Gertrude, mistaking him for Claudius.
- Claudius sends Hamlet to England with orders that he be executed, but Hamlet escapes.
- Ophelia, mad with grief over her father's death, drowns herself.
- Laertes returns, blaming Hamlet for his father and sister’s deaths, and allies with Claudius.
The Poisoned Duel and Tragic Ending
- Claudius and Laertes plot to kill Hamlet using a poisoned sword and backup poisoned wine.
- During the duel, Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine and dies.
- Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poisoned blade, but is then wounded himself.
- Laertes confesses Claudius’s plot before dying; Hamlet kills Claudius with the poisoned sword and forces him to drink the wine.
- Hamlet dies after achieving his revenge.
Fortinbras and Aftermath
- Prince Fortinbras of Norway arrives, finds the Danish royal family dead, and takes control of the kingdom.
- Horatio recounts Hamlet’s story as Fortinbras orders Hamlet to be honored as a fallen soldier.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Elsinore Castle — The royal castle in Denmark where the play is set.
- Claudius — Hamlet’s uncle, who has usurped the throne.
- Gertrude — Hamlet’s mother and Queen of Denmark.
- The Ghost — Apparition of Hamlet’s dead father urging revenge.
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern — Hamlet’s friends used as spies by the king.
- Ophelia — Daughter of Polonius, loved by Hamlet.
- Laertes — Polonius’s son, seeks revenge for his family.
- Fortinbras — Prince of Norway, assumes the throne at the end.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the main characters and their motivations.
- Study the progression of Hamlet’s plan for revenge and the consequences for each character.
- Prepare for discussion or essay on themes of revenge, madness, and fate in the play.