1. Hamlet William Shakespeare

2. Publication Written during the first part of the seventeenth century (probably in 1600 or 1601) Written during the first part of the seventeenth century (probably in 1600 or 1601) Hamlet was probably first performed in July 1602 Hamlet was probably first performed in July 1602 It was first published in printed form in 1603 and appeared in an enlarged edition in 1604 It was first published in printed form in 1603 and appeared in an enlarged edition in 1604

3. Setting The story takes place in the country of Denmark in the late medieval period (1450-1500) The story takes place in the country of Denmark in the late medieval period (1450-1500)

4. The Story The raw material that Shakespeare appropriated in writing Hamlet is the story of a Danish prince whose uncle murders the prince's father, marries his mother, and claims the throne. The prince pretends to be feeble-minded to throw his uncle off guard, then tries to kill his uncle in revenge. The raw material that Shakespeare appropriated in writing Hamlet is the story of a Danish prince whose uncle murders the prince's father, marries his mother, and claims the throne. The prince pretends to be feeble-minded to throw his uncle off guard, then tries to kill his uncle in revenge.

5. Hamlet The Prince of Denmark The Prince of Denmark Protagonist Protagonist About thirty years old at the start of the play About thirty years old at the start of the play Son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet Son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet Nephew of the present king, Claudius. Nephew of the present king, Claudius.

6. Hamlet continued Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle's scheming and disgust for his mother's sexuality. A reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of Wittenberg, Germany. Hamlet is sometimes indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash and impulsive acts. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle's scheming and disgust for his mother's sexuality. A reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of Wittenberg, Germany. Hamlet is sometimes indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash and impulsive acts.

7. Claudius The King of Denmark The King of Denmark Hamlet's uncle Hamlet's uncle Antagonist. Antagonist. Calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power Calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power Shows signs of guilt and human feeling— his love for Gertrude seems sincere. Shows signs of guilt and human feeling— his love for Gertrude seems sincere.

8. Gertrude Queen of Denmark Queen of Denmark Hamlet's mother Hamlet's mother Recently married to Claudius. Recently married to Claudius. Loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than truth Loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than truth

9. Polonius The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court (advisor) The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court (advisor) Pompous, conniving old man. Pompous, conniving old man. Father of Laertes and Ophelia Father of Laertes and Ophelia

10. Horatio Hamlet's close friend Hamlet's close friend Studied with Hamlet at the university in Wittenberg (Germany) Studied with Hamlet at the university in Wittenberg (Germany) Loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play Loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play

11. Ophelia Polonius's daughter Polonius's daughter Beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Sweet and innocent young girl Sweet and innocent young girl Obeys her father and her brother, Laertes Obeys her father and her brother, Laertes

12. Ophelia continued Dependent on men to tell her how to behave, Dependent on men to tell her how to behave, Gives in to Polonius's schemes to spy on Hamlet Gives in to Polonius's schemes to spy on Hamlet In her lapse into madness, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers In her lapse into madness, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers

13. Laertes Polonius's son Polonius's son Ophelia's brother Ophelia's brother Spends much of the play in France Spends much of the play in France Passionate and quick to action Passionate and quick to action Clearly a foil (opposite) for the reflective Hamlet Clearly a foil (opposite) for the reflective Hamlet

14. Fortinbras Young Prince of Norway Young Prince of Norway His father the king (also named Fortinbras) was killed by Hamlet's father His father the king (also named Fortinbras) was killed by Hamlet's father Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father's honor Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father's honor Another foil (opposite) for Hamlet Another foil (opposite) for Hamlet

15. The Ghost Specter of Hamlet's deceased father Specter of Hamlet's deceased father Claims to have been murdered by Claudius Claims to have been murdered by Claudius Calls upon Hamlet to avenge him Calls upon Hamlet to avenge him

16. The Ghost continued Not entirely certain whether the ghost is what it appears to be, or whether it is something else Not entirely certain whether the ghost is what it appears to be, or whether it is something else Hamlet speculates that the ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder Hamlet speculates that the ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder The question of what the ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved The question of what the ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved

17. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Two slightly bumbling (stupid) courtiers (companions) Two slightly bumbling (stupid) courtiers (companions) Former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg Former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg Summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior Summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior

18. The End