Hamlet Play
Hamlet begins with the news King Hamlet of Denmark
has recently died. Denmark is now preparing for possible
war with Young Fortinbras of Norway. A ghost resembling
the late King is spotted near Elsinore Castle. King
Claudius, who now rules Denmark, has married Queen Gertrude,
the late King's wife. Hamlet, the late King's son, does
not trust the new King nor does he approve of his mother
Queen Gertrude remarrying so quickly after his father's
death... Polonius warns his daughter Ophelia against
falling in love with Hamlet; fearing he will only break
her heart.
Hamlet meets the Ghost of his father, who reveals he
was poisoned by King Claudius and who tells him to avenge
his death but not to punish Queen Gertrude for remarrying
since it is not his place. Polonius learns from Ophelia
that a badly dressed Hamlet met her, studied her face
and promptly left, Polonius believing this odd behaviour
is because Ophelia rejected him as he instructed her
to. Concearned, King Claudius instructs courtiers Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern to spy for him on his son in law. Queen
Gertrude believes the cause is her recent remarriage
and the death of his father.
Hamlet is eager for King Claudius and Queen Gertrude
to watch a play he has added some lines to which he
hopes will reveal if the Ghost's words about King Claudius
are true... Hamlet begins to suspect Ophelia is spying
on him and is increasingly hostile to her. The play
is performed. The mime preceding the play which mimics
the Ghost's description of the late King's death goes
unnoticed. The main play called "The Murder of
Gonzago" is performed, causing King Claudius to
react in a way which proves the Ghost's words were true...
Alone, King Claudius reveals his guilt... Queen Gertrude
attempts to scold her son over the play but is instead
scolded for remarrying. Queen Gertrude cries out in
fear, Polonius echoing it and being stabbed through
the curtain where he was listening in. Hamlet continues
scolding his mother but the Ghost reappears, telling
him to be gentle with the Queen. Queen Gertrude agrees
to stop living with King Claudius...
King Claudius learns of Polonius' murder, shocked that
it could easily have been him. Queen Gertrude lies for
her son, saying that he is mad. King Claudius, now scared,
decides to have Hamlet sent away to England immediately,
King Claudius revealing his plan to have him killed
there. Young Fortinbras marches across Denmark. Hamlet
wishes he was courageous like Fortinbras, questioning
how he cannot fight when his father has been murdered
and his mother made a whore by marrying King Claudius.
Ophelia who goes mad from the grief of losing her father...
King Claudius meets Laertes, telling him that Hamlet
killed his father, the two then plotting to kill him
at a fencing match.
At Ophelia's burial, Hamlet fights Laertes over Ophelia's
grave, each believing they loved her more. Hamlet explains
to his only trusted friend Horatio how he avoided the
death planned for him in England and had Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern killed instead, revealing his desire
to kill King Claudius. Queen Gertrude drinks a poisoned
cup meant for her son, dying but not before revealing
she was poisoned. Hamlet fences against Laertes but
is cut by Laertes sword. The two switch swords and Laertes
is cut by his own sword, Laertes explaining that his
sword was poison tipped. Now dying, Hamlet stabs King
Claudius with this same sword, killing him and telling
Horatio to tell his story and not to commit suicide,
recommending Young Fortinbras as the next King of Denmark.
Young Fortinbras arrives, Horatio promising to tell
his friend's story.
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V
Act II
Scene I, Scene
II
Act III
Scene I,
Scene II, Scene III, Scene
IV
Act IV
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V, Scene
VI, Scene VII
Act V
Scene I, Scene
II
|