Summary of Hamlet and Its Themes

Aug 26, 2024

Lecture Notes: Hamlet Summary

Overview

  • Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark.
  • His father, the former king, has died.
  • Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, becomes king and marries Hamlet's mother, Gertrude.

Key Characters

  • Hamlet: The protagonist, prince of Denmark.
  • Claudius: Hamlet's uncle and the new king.
  • Gertrude: Hamlet's mother.
  • Ophelia: Hamlet's girlfriend.
  • Polonius: Ophelia's father.
  • Laertes: Ophelia's brother.
  • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Hamlet's friends from school.
  • Horatio: Hamlet's friend.
  • Fortinbras: Prince of Norway.

Plot Summary

Act 1

  • Soldiers see a ghost resembling the dead king.
  • The ghost reveals to Hamlet that Claudius murdered him by pouring poison in his ear.
  • Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s death and decides to feign madness.

Act 2

  • Ophelia is warned by Polonius and Laertes that Hamlet’s love for her is not genuine.
  • Hamlet starts behaving erratically, causing concern.
  • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet’s madness.

Act 3

  • Hamlet sets up a play mirroring the king’s murder to gauge Claudius’s reaction.
  • Claudius’s reaction to the play confirms his guilt to Hamlet.
  • Hamlet confronts Gertrude and accidentally kills Polonius, thinking he is Claudius.
  • The ghost appears, urging Hamlet to stay focused on his revenge.

Act 4

  • Hamlet is sent to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who carry orders for his execution.
  • Ophelia goes mad after her father’s death and drowns.
  • Laertes returns, seeking revenge for Polonius’s death.
  • Hamlet returns to Denmark after escaping pirates.

Act 5

  • A confrontation at Ophelia’s grave between Hamlet and Laertes.
  • A fencing match is set between Hamlet and Laertes.
  • Laertes poisons his sword; Claudius poisons a cup.
  • Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine and dies.
  • Laertes and Hamlet wound each other with the poisoned sword.
  • Hamlet kills Claudius.
  • Laertes and Hamlet die from poison.
  • Hamlet requests Horatio to tell the truth about the events.
  • Fortinbras arrives and claims the Danish throne.

Important Themes

  • Revenge and justice.
  • Madness (real and feigned).
  • Death and mortality.
  • Corruption and power.

Resources

  • More detailed analysis and character insights are available on SparkNotes.
  • Modern English translation available via No Fear Hamlet on SparkNotes.