To be or not…well, you know the rest
Hamlet
written by William Shakespeare
Hamlet is a seventeenth century version of a television drama. Take one moment to think about it. TV dramas consist of overpowering characters that are stuck in a plot of twists of murder, love, and revenge. Shakespeare wrote the first drama, and all the clichés we have seen in our favorite TV shows have come from his works like Hamlet. I know when I watch shows notorious for their over zealous drama like Grey's Anatomy that the characters will suffer the outstanding trials of warped relationships and bear the whips and scorns of a plot that paves its own way. Hamletdoes the same thing between Hamlet's uncle that kills his father, the king, and weds his mother and the strained relationships of Hamlet and his family and friends this play will entertain and delight. Hamlet, like any other drama, is a sea of troubles. Keep this in mind while you read the summary and you will be able to see that this indeed is a great drama. Except, also keep in mind that this will not be like a TV show in the way that this story will end (no season 2), and quite tragically at that.
The Cast
Hamlet- the prince of Denmark
Claudius- Hamlet's uncle and current king
Gertrude- Hamlet's mother and Claudius' wife, the queen
The Ghost- Hamlet's deceased father
Ophelia- Hamlet's love interest(girlfriend)
Polonius- Ophelia's father
Laertes- Ophelia's brother
Horatio- Hamlet's friend
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- the other friends of Hamlet
Act I Scene 1
One night at Denmark’s castle, Horatio is asked to witness an apparition by the guards. They say a ghost has appeared at the same time two nights in a row and it resembled the late king, Hamlet’s father. Horatio is forced to believe them when the ghost appears silently just as they said. After the ghost departs Horatio states his plan to tell Hamlet, and no one else, about what he witnessed.
Act I Scene 2
King Claudius gives a speech about his brother’s recent death and his wedding to Gertrude. He then grants Laertes permission to leave Denmark for a period of time. Then he directs his attention to Hamlet. Hamlet has been in morning since his father passed. He still wears black even though the appropriate morning period is over. Hamlet, while alone, wishes that suicide were not a sin so he could die rather than suffer in his grief. On top of his depression he is disgusted with his mother for marrying his father’s brother. This is incestuous to him. Horatio at this time comes to tell Hamlet of the ghost with the appearance of his late father. Hamlet agrees to visit it.
Act I Scene 3
In this scene Polonius and Laertes both give Ophelia advice about Hamlet. She is warned that Hamlet may only be seducing her, and she should cease talking with him. She agrees.
Act I Scene 4
Hamlet and Horatio wait for the Ghost with the guards. When it appears, it gestures for Hamlet to follow alone.
Act II Scene 1
Alone, the Ghost tells Hamlet that he is the ghost of Hamlet’s father. The Ghost also tells Hamlet that Claudius poured poison in his ear while sleeping, killing him. The Ghost urges Hamlet to avenge him, and to leave Gertrude out of it. The Ghost leaves at dawn, and Hamlet has Horatio and Marcellus, a guard, swear not to say anything about what has occurred.
Act II Scene 2
Hamlet has been acting insane ever since that harrowing night. Claudius and Gertrude, worried, invited Hamlet’s friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the castle with the request that they spy on Hamlet for them. Polonius has his own ideas about Hamlet’s mental instability. He believes that Hamlet is lovesick because Ophelia has been ignoring him. Claudius and Polonius begin to plot a meeting between the two lovebirds to test Polonius’ theory. Meanwhile Rosencrantz and Guildenstern locate Hamlet. He greets his friends warmly, yet he pressures them until they admit that it was Claudius and Gertrude that sent for them. The Players arrived with Hamlet’s friends. The Players are a group of actors looking for work, and Hamlet is inspired to give them some. Hamlet is not sure if the Ghost is his father or not, so he must prove the Ghost’s story before enacting revenge on Claudius. He hires the player to act out a play for the court that depicts his fathers murder according to the Ghost. If Claudius has a reaction, Hamlet will be certain of his guilt.
Act III Scene 1
The cause of Hamlet’s madness remains undetermined, so Polonius and Claudius administer the plan. Ophelia waits for Hamlet, and Polonius and Claudius hide. After Hamlet gives his “To be or not to be” speech, pondering suicide again, he enters the room that Ophelia is waiting in. Hamlet is furious with Ophelia, and he tells her that he never loved her and that she is two faced. He even tells her to get to a nunnery. It is clear to all that Hamlet’s erratic behavior is not lovesickness.
To be or not to be
This famous soliloquy given by Hamlet is about the concept of death. Hamlet ponders why so many people live a life of hardship and pain rather than kill themselves. He states that living life is hard, but the powerful fear of the unknown properties of death keep people struggling to stay alive. He is in a debate with himself over this universal question.
Act III Scene 2
The play is performed while Horatio and Hamlet watch Claudius for any sign of disturbance. When the players reenact Claudius murdering Hamlet’s father, Claudius rises and stops the play. Hamlet is now sure of his guilt and prepares for revenge.
"Come at me bro!"(not really in movie)
Act III Scene 3
Claudius makes preparations to send Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern to England. Then he tries to pray in a church, but he is unable to and simply confesses his crimes. Hamlet sneaks in to kill him but because Claudius appeared to be in prayer he didn’t kill him for fear that striking down this man in prayer would send him to heaven.
Act III Scene 4
Hamlet goes to confront Gertrude in her chamber. Polonius, who was talking with Gertrude about Hamlet’s insanity, hides behind a curtain to eavesdrop. Hamlet yells at his mother, expressing all his pain and disgust at her hasty marriage to his dead husband’s brother. She cries out for him to stop, and Polonius cries out from his hiding spot. Thinking it was Claudius, Hamlet stabs Polonius through the curtain, slaying him. He stops when he sees the Ghost appear to remind him of his mission for revenge. Since Gertrude could not see the Ghost while Hamlet conversed with the it, she was shaken up. Hamlet leaves dragging Polonius.
Act IV Scene 1
Gertrude runs to tell Claudius of Hamlet’s madness, and he sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and retrieve the body.
Act IV Scene 2
Hamlet disposes of the body. When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find him he insults them for working for the king.
Act IV Scene 3
Claudius makes the announcement of Polonius’ death and Hamlet’s being sent to England. Claudius has also sent a letter with Hamlet to be opened in England that contains orders for his execution.
Act IV Scene 4
Hamlet’s lust for revenge is reinstated when he runs into Fortinbras passing through Denmark with his army.
Act IV Scene 5
Ophelia has gone insane with the loss of Polonius and abandonment by Hamlet. Laertes arrives ready to avenge his father.
Act IV Scene 6
Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet saying pirates captured his boat, and he is on his way back to Denmark.
Act IV Scene 7
Claudius decides that Hamlet will duel with Laertes when he returns. Gertrude announces that Ophelia has drownedherself.
Act V Scene 1
Two gravediggers prepare Ophelia’s grave. Hamlet and Horatio talk with them without knowing they are digging Ophelia’s grave. Hamlet contemplates death for a third time. When Ophelia’s funeral procession arrives, Hamlet jumps into her grave pledging his love for her. Laertes jumps in as well. They are pulled apart with the promise to duel later.
Act V Scene 2
Hamlet tells Horatio how he switched the letter ordering his execution upon arrival with a letter ordering the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The duel begins with Laertes and Hamlet choosing their swords. To ensure the death of Hamlet, Claudius poisons the wine in the victory cup and Laertes’ sword. The men’s swords get mixed up and each is sliced with the poison sword. Gertrude drinks from the cup accidently and dies. Hamlet makes Claudius drink from the same cup, and stabs him with the poison sword killing him. Then, Hamlet and Laertes die. Horatio is the only one left to tell the story.
