Hamlet
 
ACT I Scene I
 
At the beginning of this scene, two guards come out and
attempt to get the audience's attention. They basically
inform us that it is night time, and then they exit.
Heratio and Marcellus then enter. They see a ghost which
looks like the late King who had just died. To get the
audience's attention once again, the two men repeat
"Doesn't that look like the King!" five times. Morning
comes, and Heratio and Marcellus decide to tell Hamlet of
the incident. Scene ][
 
This scene informs us that the present king (Claudius) had
killed the late King Hamlet. Claudius is now married to
Queen Gertrude who was formerly King Hamlet's wife. King
Claudius informs us Norway is preparing to war against
Denmark (they even work on Sundays) for land that the late
King Hamlet had obtained. Heratio and Marcellus then come
to inform Hamlet of the "ghost" experience they had the
previous night. Hamlet is shocked and suspects something
peculiar is amongst the king- dom. Scene ]I[
 
Laertes tells her sister, Ophelia, to be cautious of
marrying Hamlet. Polonious then enters and demands Ophelia
to stop the relationship with Hamlet. Scene ]V
 
Hamlet, Heratio, and Marcellus are talking when the ghost
of King Hamlet appears. Hamlet follows, but his friends
warn him that he may be in danger. Regardless, Hamlet
follows the ghost. Scene V
 
In this scene, King Hamlet's ghost appears once again, but
this time in front of Hamlet. Hamlet questions the ghost
and finds that King Hamlet was killed by Claudius. The
ghost then asks Hamlet to seek revenge.
 
ACT ][ Scene I
 
In this scene, Ophelia and Hamlet and alone together in a
room. Ophelia tells Hamlet that she can no longer see him,
but Hamlet is raged. Ophelia tells her father, Polonious.
Polonious thinks that Hamlet may be mad with love sickness
since he cannot take the rejection. Therefore, Polonious
tells King Claudius of the situation. Scene ][
 
Claudius sends Rosancrantz and Guildenstern (who were
Hamlet's friends from childhood) to see what is the matter
with Hamlet. Hamlet explains to his friends that he is very
sad and has no interest of world. In a soliloquy, Hamlet
then analyzes his situation.
 
ACT ]I[ Scene I
 
Hamlet's friend return to tell the Claudius of their
findings. Claudius is pleased with the results (that Hamlet
wants to perform for the majesties). Then, Claudius and
Polonious plan to hide behind a curtain while Ophelia and
Hamlet are talking. Hamlet in his famous To be, or not be
speech questions his motives for living. He attempts to
analyze his position and see whether he should live or
commit suicide. Later, Claudius decides to send Hamlet to
England to have him killed. Scene ][
 
At first, Hamlet walks around making ludicrous remarks and
acting mad. Then Hamlet shows the play he has created to
the court. Surprisingly, the play is an exact replica of
what happened to the late King Hamlet. It shows a man
putting poison in a King's ear while he is sleeping. Hamlet
then explains that the man will soon become the new King.
Both Claudius and Gertrude and a strange reaction. Gertrude
requests to speak with Hamlet privately. Hamlet attempts to
retain his anger so he does not harm the Queen (as the
ghost of King Hamlet had asked). Scene ]I[
 
Claudius is frightened about the murder he has done. He
prays and asks forgiveness. At that moment, Hamlet comes
and sees Claudius. Hamlet thought about killing Claudius at
that point, but did not. Hamlet thought that if he killed
Claudius while he was in prayer, Claudius would go to
heaven; thus his killing would be useless. Scene ]V
 
Hamlet and Gertrude start conversation. Hamlet becomes very
angry and starts making nasty remarks about Gertrude's
marriage. Gertrude screams for help and Polonious (behind
the tapestry) echoes the calls. Assuming that Claudius is
behind the tapestry, Hamlet shoves a dagger in it.
Polonious, unfortunately, dies. Hamlet apologizes for the
murder. Then Hamlet tells Gertrude that he is being sent to
England and bids her good- night.
 
ACT ]V Scene I
 
Claudius questions what he should do to explain Polonious'
death to the courts. He tells Gertrude that they must
reveal the murder to their closest friends and avoid being
blamed themselves. Scene ][
 
Hamlet does not tell his friends where Polonious' body is.
Hamlet then goes off to see the King. Scene ]I[
 
Hamlet finally notifies Claudius of Polonious' whereabouts
is. Claudius then tells Hamlet's friends to take him to
England. Claudius feels that when Hamlet is dead, he won't
have any more worries or fears on his mind. Scene ]V
 
Hamlet overhears Fortinbras asking he may cross Denmark on
his way to Poland. In a soliloquy, Hamlet analyzes the
situation. Hamlet learns that Fortinbras is sending his men
to fight for a worthless piece of land, and that all the
men can die in the process. He sees how Fortinbras and his
man are risking their lives for honour. Hamlet realizes
that he has not been honourable, but rather a coward. He
vows that his thoughts will be bloody, or nothing worth .
This is where Hamlet makes a conscience decision to kill
Claudius. Scene V
 
Both Ophelia and Laertes act mad due to their father's
sudden death. They both blame Claudius, but Claudius
insists otherwise. Claudius tells Laertes that if he can
prove Claudius was the murderer, then Claudius would hand
over the kingdom to him. Claudius, nevertheless, vows to
find out who the real killer is. Scene V[
 
On his way to England, Hamlet got captured by pirated. They
promised to return him to Denmark for the exchange of a
favour. Scene VI[
 
Claudius uses Laertes as a tool to kill Hamlet. Claudius
lies and tricks Laertes so that Laertes would establish
great anger and frustration towards Hamlet. Then they both
plan to kill Hamlet my means of a sword fight (poison at
the end of Laertes' sword) and a poisoned drink. Laertes is
then informed that Ophelia died and is enraged once again.
 
ACT V Scene I
 
In Ophelia's funeral, Laertes and Hamlet again break into
rage. Both men jump into the grave and start fighting.
Hamlet explains that he loves Ophelia more than forty
thousand brothers can and vows to fight Laertes despite
their previous friendship. Scene ][
 
After all preparation is done, Hamlet and Laertes begin
their battle. Unfortunately, Gertrude (unaware of the
poison) takes a drink from Hamlet's cup and soon after
dies. Then, both Laertes and Hamlet get hit with the
poisoned sword. Hamlet becomes aware of the evil plans and
forces Claudius to drink from his cup. Claudius, Laertes,
and Hamlet shortly die. And so ends this play a tragedy!