William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: an overview

Sources Ur-Hamlet, a lost play, 1588, possibly by Thomas Kyd. Derived from Francois Belleforest’s Histoires Traqiques, Originally a 9th century Icelandic saga.

Act 1, Scene 1 Guards notice the Ghost of the late King of Denmark. The discuss how ominous this is due to impending war with Norway. Ghost departs. The guards plant to inform Prince Hamlet.

Act 1, Scene 2 Claudius, current King of Denmark, talks of his brother’s death and his marriage to Queen Gertrude. Remarks on invasion from Prince Fortinbras of Norway (without knowledge of King of Norway). He sends letter to Norway asking for restraint.

Continued. Laertes, Polonius’s son, returns to study in France. King and Queen urge Hamlet to stop mourning. Hamlet wishes to study in Wittenberg but is denied. Hamlet talks about his mother’s hasty marriage. Guards tell Hamlet about Ghost.

Act 1, Scene 3 Laertes, leaving for France, warns his sister, Ophelia, about Hamlet’s affections. Polonius rants and forbids Ophelia from seeing Hamlet.

Act 1, Scene 4 The Ghost appears to Hamlet and others. Hamlet follows.

Act 1, Scene 5 The Ghost tells Hamlet about his murder by Claudius; demands revenge. Hamlet vows to do this. Horatio and Marcellus appear; Hamlet swears them to secrecy, tells them that he will pretend madness.

Act 2, Scene 1 King and Queen welcome Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet’s peers; asks them to spy on Hamlet. News from King of Norway arrives; Fortinbras redirected to Poland. Polonius shows confiscated letter, declares Hamlet lovesick.

Continued. Hamlet appears, speaks wildly; drives away Polonius, gets peers to admit their spying. Players arrive. Hamlet instructs them to perform The Murder of Gonzago with his added lines -- to verify Claudius’s guilt.

Act 3, Scene 1 Ophelia meets Hamlet while Claudius and Polonius eavesdrop. Hamlet rails against her and all women. Claudius tells Polonius of his intent to send Hamlet to England. Polonius suggests further spying on Hamlet, after play’s performance.

Act 3, Scene 2 Hamlet lectures players. Players perform. Claudius angrily leaves. Queen summons Hamlet. He reminds himself not to harm her despite his anger.

Act 3, Scene 3 Polonius agrees to spy on Hamlet. Claudius attempts to pray but cannot. Hamlet wants to kill him but doesn’t because he is praying -- he wants to ensure Claudius’s soul goes to hell.

Act 3, Scene 4 Polonius hides. Hamlet encounters his mother, Queen. Hamlet kills Polonius. Hamlet condemns Queen. Ghost appears, reminds Hamlet of his duty. Hamlet scolds his mother, drags away Polonius.

Act 4, Scenes 1 & 2 Scene 2: They confront Hamlet. He makes fun of them but accompanies them to the King. Scene 1: Queen tells Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius. King sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find the body.

Act 4, Scene 3 King tells lords that Hamlet is dangerous. Hamlet tells them where the body is. King sends Hamlet to England “for his safety” but has letters that will ensure his death.

Act 4, Scene 4 Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern encounter captain from Fortinbras’s army. They commiserate on wasted lives over inconsequential things. Hamlet vows to think only bloody thoughts.

Act 4, Scene 5 Queen is informed that Ophelia has lost her mind, singing about deaths and funerals. Laertes has raised a rebellion, demanding revenge on Hamlet. King assures Laertes and plots revenge on Hamlet.

Act 4, Scene 6 Sailor brings Horatio letter from Hamlet. Letters tells of Hamlet’s capture by pirates. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern continue to England. Horatio goes after Hamlet.

Act 4, Scene 7 King and Laertes plot for duel with differing swords and a poisoned cup. Queen announces that Ophelia has drowned. Laertes collapses.

Act 5, Scene 1 Grave-diggers, then Hamlet, discuss death. Hamlet muses on Yorick’s skull. Ophelia’s funeral procession passes by. Hamlet rages against Laertes but leaves. King assures Laertes of his revenge.

Act 5, Scene 2 Hamlet tells Horatio of rewriting the letter, ensuring death to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Osric arrives with request to fence Laertes.

Continued. Hamlet tells Horatio that he’s prepared to die. The match begins; King and Queen toast Hamlet’s first successful round.

Continued Hamlet does not drink. Queen drinks despite Claudius’s warnings. Laertes wounds Hamlet with poisoned sword.

Continued Fencers accidentally exchange swords. Hamlet wounds Laertes. Queen falls and dies. Laertes reveals King’s plot

Continued Hamlet wounds King, forces him to drink poison. Hamlet and Laertes forgive each other. Laertes dies. Claudius dies. Fortinbras arrives, Hamlet names him his successor. Hamlet dies. Everyone…dies.

Things to ponder “Problem play” Theatrical history Verse vs. Prose Deception Nature and order Heroism

Things to ponder Wit and humor Sex and relationships Revenge Ghost or devil? Innocence Victimization Politics