Introduction
William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is widely regarded as one of the greatest plays ever written. This tragic tale of the Prince of Denmark has captivated audiences for centuries with its gripping plot, memorable characters, and profound exploration of human nature. Set in the royal court of Elsinore, the play follows Prince Hamlet as he grapples with grief, betrayal, and the weighty task of avenging his father's murder.
"Hamlet" is Shakespeare's longest play and arguably his most popular. Its enduring appeal lies not only in its thrilling narrative but also in its deep philosophical musings on life, death, and the human condition. The play has left an indelible mark on Western culture, contributing numerous phrases and ideas to the English language that we still use today.
In this summary, we'll explore the key events and themes of "Hamlet," delving into the complex characters and their motivations. From the ghostly apparition that sets the story in motion to the tragic finale that claims multiple lives, we'll uncover the rich tapestry of Shakespeare's masterpiece.
Part 1: Something Rotten in Denmark
The play opens on a cold winter night at Elsinore Castle in Denmark. The atmosphere is tense and foreboding as guards keep watch on the castle ramparts. Their nervous exchanges reveal that all is not well in the kingdom. Denmark is preparing for war with Norway, whose young prince Fortinbras seeks to reclaim lands lost by his father to the late King Hamlet.
But there's an even more unsettling development: for two nights, the ghost of the recently deceased King Hamlet has appeared on the castle walls. The guards, shaken by this supernatural occurrence, confide in Horatio, a close friend of Prince Hamlet. Horatio, skeptical at first, witnesses the ghost himself and becomes convinced that its appearance portends trouble for Denmark.
Meanwhile, inside the castle, a very different scene unfolds. The new king, Claudius – brother to the late King Hamlet – has recently married Gertrude, the widowed queen. Their hasty union, coming so soon after King Hamlet's death, has raised eyebrows throughout the kingdom. The royal court celebrates with feasting and revelry, a stark contrast to the somber mood outside the castle walls.
Prince Hamlet, however, takes no part in these festivities. Still in mourning for his father, he views his mother's quick remarriage with disgust and dismay. When we first encounter Hamlet, he is a man consumed by grief and anger. He sees Denmark as an "unweeded garden" overrun with corruption and decay. His once-joyful outlook on life has been replaced by cynicism and despair.
Hamlet's pain is compounded by what he sees as his mother's betrayal. To him, her swift transition from grieving widow to newlywed queen is not just unseemly – it's practically incestuous. He compares Claudius unfavorably to his father, seeing the new king as a drunken, lustful usurper who pales in comparison to the noble ruler Denmark has lost.
Yet Hamlet feels powerless to voice his objections. As the king's new stepson and heir, he's expected to play the role of the dutiful prince. This inner conflict – between his true feelings and the facade he must maintain – sets the stage for much of the drama to come.
The juxtaposition of the joyous wedding celebrations with the ominous events outside the castle creates a sense of unease that permeates the entire play. Shakespeare masterfully establishes that beneath the surface of pomp and ceremony, something is indeed "rotten in the state of Denmark."
Part 2: The Ghost's Revelation
As the play progresses, we see how seemingly small actions can set off a chain of momentous events. Claudius's hasty marriage to Gertrude, driven by his lust for power and his sister-in-law, inadvertently creates the circumstances that will lead to his downfall.
The wedding brings Horatio to Elsinore just as the ghost appears. Horatio's loyalty to Hamlet leads him to inform the prince about the apparition before telling anyone else. This crucial decision changes the course of the entire story.
When Hamlet hears about the ghost, his suspicions are immediately aroused. The fact that the spirit appears in full armor suggests to Hamlet that all is not right in Denmark. He begins to suspect foul play in his father's death, giving voice to the idea that while mortals may try to hide their misdeeds, the truth will always come to light eventually.
That night, Hamlet, along with Horatio and the guards, waits on the castle ramparts. When the ghost appears, it beckons Hamlet to follow it to a secluded spot. There, the spirit reveals a shocking truth: it is indeed the ghost of Hamlet's father, and he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius.
The ghost's tale is chilling. King Hamlet was not killed by a snake bite as officially reported, but was poisoned by Claudius as he slept in his orchard. The murderer then seized both the crown and the queen, turning the royal bed into a place of "luxury and damned incest."
The ghost charges Hamlet with a solemn task: to avenge this "foul and most unnatural murder." However, the spirit also cautions Hamlet not to harm Gertrude, leaving her to heaven and to her own conscience.
This revelation transforms Hamlet's unfocused grief and anger into a burning desire for revenge. From this point on, everything Hamlet does is in service of this goal. The ghost's appearance and its command set the main plot of the play in motion, driving Hamlet's actions and decisions throughout the rest of the story.
The ghost's revelation also introduces one of the play's central themes: the idea that evil deeds cannot remain hidden forever. As Hamlet says, "foul deeds will rise, though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes." This concept of divine justice uncovering all misdeeds becomes a driving force in the play.
Part 3: Hamlet's "Antic Disposition"
With the knowledge of his father's murder weighing heavily on him, Hamlet faces a complex dilemma. He must avenge his father's death, but he can't simply act on the ghost's word alone. As a scholar educated at Wittenberg (a nod to the Protestant Reformation), Hamlet is aware that the ghost could be a deception – perhaps even a demon in disguise trying to lead him astray.
Moreover, Hamlet must navigate the treacherous waters of the Danish court. Claudius, having already proven himself capable of fratricide, would surely not hesitate to eliminate Hamlet if he suspected the prince knew the truth. The court is also filled with spies and informants, chief among them the crafty Polonius, who keeps tabs on everyone, including his own children.
To buy himself time and throw off suspicion, Hamlet decides to feign madness. He tells Horatio that he will put on an "antic disposition" – in other words, he'll behave in strange and erratic ways to fool those around him. This strategy allows Hamlet to openly act out against Claudius and the corruption of the court while providing a cover for his true intentions.
Hamlet's feigned madness is most vividly described through the eyes of Ophelia, Polonius's daughter and the object of Hamlet's affection. She paints a pitiful picture of the once-noble prince: disheveled, wild-eyed, and seemingly out of his mind. This transformation is all the more striking given Ophelia's earlier description of Hamlet as the perfect courtier – charming, wise, and brave.
However, Hamlet's act of madness has unintended consequences. It drives a wedge between him and Ophelia, whom he suspects (correctly) of being used as a pawn by her father and Claudius. In a pivotal scene, Hamlet verbally attacks Ophelia, telling her that "beauty is a bawd" – in essence, accusing her of using her charms to deceive him. This cruel treatment, combined with Hamlet's apparent madness, begins Ophelia's tragic descent into genuine insanity.
Polonius, ever the meddler, becomes convinced that Hamlet's madness stems from lovesickness caused by Ophelia's rejection (which Polonius himself had ordered). He shares this theory with Claudius, who is not entirely convinced. To test this hypothesis, Polonius arranges for Claudius to spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia.
This scene showcases the layers of deception at play in Elsinore. Hamlet, suspecting he's being watched, puts on a particularly intense display of his "madness." His harsh words to Ophelia are meant for the hidden listeners, but they wound her deeply nonetheless. This interaction becomes a turning point for Ophelia, marking the beginning of her tragic downfall.
Hamlet's "antic disposition" serves multiple purposes in the play. It allows him to openly criticize the court and express his inner turmoil while maintaining a facade of insanity. It also adds an element of ambiguity to his character – both for the other characters and for the audience. Throughout the play, we're left wondering how much of Hamlet's behavior is an act and how much might be genuine madness brought on by grief and the weight of his task.
Part 4: The Play Within the Play
As Hamlet continues his charade of madness, Claudius grows increasingly suspicious. Unable to discern Hamlet's true state of mind or intentions, the king enlists Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two of Hamlet's old university friends, to spy on the prince. Claudius hopes that Hamlet will confide in his friends, revealing the cause of his strange behavior.
However, Hamlet quickly sees through this ploy. He compares Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to sponges, soaking up the king's favor only to be wrung out when they're no longer useful. This metaphor showcases Hamlet's keen insight into the machinations of the court, even as he maintains his facade of madness.
Ironically, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's arrival proves more useful to Hamlet than to Claudius. As part of their efforts to cheer up the prince, they inform him that a troupe of actors has arrived at Elsinore. This news sparks an idea in Hamlet's mind – a way to confirm Claudius's guilt and justify his revenge.
Hamlet conceives of a plan to "catch the conscience of the king." He asks the actors to perform a play called "The Murder of Gonzago," but with a twist: Hamlet will insert a scene that closely mirrors the murder of his father as described by the ghost. As the players act out this scene, Hamlet and Horatio will closely observe Claudius's reaction. If the king shows signs of guilt, it will prove that the ghost told the truth.
This plan showcases Hamlet's cleverness and his reluctance to act without certainty. Unlike many revenge heroes of Shakespeare's time, Hamlet is not content to act on passion alone. He needs proof – both to justify his actions to himself and to ensure he's not being deceived by an evil spirit.
The performance of the play-within-a-play, which Hamlet dubs "The Mousetrap," is a pivotal moment in the story. As the players act out the scene where a king is murdered by having poison poured in his ear, all eyes are on Claudius. The king's reaction is exactly what Hamlet hoped for – he leaps from his seat, calls for lights, and abruptly ends the performance.
For Hamlet, this is the proof he needs. Claudius's guilty reaction confirms the ghost's story and justifies Hamlet's quest for revenge. It's a moment of triumph for the prince, who declares, "O good Horatio, I'll take the ghost's word for a thousand pound."
The success of "The Mousetrap" marks a turning point in the play. Hamlet now knows beyond doubt that Claudius is guilty, and Claudius knows that Hamlet knows. This mutual awareness sets the stage for the escalating conflict in the latter half of the play.
Moreover, this scene illustrates one of Shakespeare's favorite devices – the play within a play. It serves multiple purposes: advancing the plot, revealing character motivations, and providing commentary on the nature of theater itself. Hamlet's instructions to the players about acting naturally and not overplaying their parts can be seen as Shakespeare's own views on the art of theater.
The play-within-a-play also reinforces one of the major themes of "Hamlet" – the idea that outward appearances often mask inner realities. Just as the players put on a performance that reveals a hidden truth, many of the characters in "Hamlet" wear metaphorical masks, hiding their true intentions behind false faces.
Part 5: Confrontation and Consequences
With Claudius's guilt confirmed, Hamlet is now ready to act. However, his tendency to overthink and his desire for perfect justice lead him to pass up an immediate opportunity for revenge.
After the play, Hamlet comes upon Claudius alone, kneeling in prayer. It would be easy to kill the king in this vulnerable moment, but Hamlet hesitates. He reasons that killing Claudius while he's praying might send his soul to heaven, which would be an inadequate punishment for his crimes. Hamlet decides to wait for a moment when Claudius is engaged in some sin, ensuring that his uncle's soul will be damned along with his life.
This decision to delay his revenge is often seen as evidence of Hamlet's tragic flaw – his inability to act decisively. However, it also shows his complex moral reasoning and his desire for a justice that goes beyond mere physical retribution.
Leaving Claudius alive, Hamlet proceeds to his mother's chamber, intent on confronting her about her hasty remarriage and her role in his father's death. Polonius, ever the meddler, hides behind a tapestry in Gertrude's room to eavesdrop on their conversation.
The confrontation between Hamlet and Gertrude is one of the play's most intense scenes. Hamlet's pent-up anger and disgust pour out as he accuses his mother of betraying his father's memory. The exchange becomes so heated that Gertrude, fearing for her life, calls out for help.
Hearing a noise behind the tapestry and thinking it might be Claudius, Hamlet rashly stabs through the fabric, killing Polonius. This impulsive act stands in stark contrast to Hamlet's earlier hesitation with Claudius and shows how his emotions can sometimes overrule his careful reasoning.
The death of Polonius is a turning point in the play. It's Hamlet's first act of violence, and it sets off a chain of events that will lead to the play's tragic conclusion. Hamlet expresses regret for the killing, acknowledging it as a sin for which he'll have to answer. However, he also dismisses Polonius as a "wretched, rash, intruding fool," showing a callousness that suggests his experiences have hardened him.
After Polonius's death, Hamlet continues his confrontation with Gertrude. He urges her to repent her actions and to refuse Claudius's advances in the future. During this exchange, the ghost of King Hamlet appears again, visible only to the prince. The ghost reminds Hamlet of his purpose and warns him not to harm Gertrude, leaving her to heaven's judgment and her own conscience.
This scene provides insight into the complex relationship between Hamlet and his mother. Despite his anger, Hamlet still seeks to save Gertrude's soul, showing that his love for her persists beneath his disappointment and disgust.
The aftermath of Polonius's death gives Claudius the pretext he needs to act against Hamlet. Unable to move openly against the popular prince, Claudius decides to send Hamlet into exile in England, ostensibly for his own safety. In reality, Claudius gives sealed orders to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, instructing the English authorities to execute Hamlet upon his arrival.
This section of the play showcases the escalating consequences of the characters' actions. Hamlet's rash killing of Polonius, born out of his desire for revenge against Claudius, inadvertently gives his enemy the means to plot against him. It's a prime example of how, in Shakespeare's tragedies, characters often bring about their own downfall through their attempts to control events.
Part 6: Madness and Revenge
As Hamlet is sent away to England, the repercussions of his actions continue to unfold in Denmark. The death of Polonius has a profound impact on his children, Ophelia and Laertes, driving the play towards its tragic conclusion.
Ophelia, already fragile from Hamlet's earlier rejection and apparent madness, is pushed over the edge by her father's death. Her descent into genuine insanity is one of the play's most poignant storylines. Once a picture of innocence and obedience, Ophelia now wanders the castle, singing nonsensical songs and handing out flowers with symbolic meanings. Her madness serves as a stark contrast to Hamlet's feigned insanity, highlighting the real human cost of the political machinations and revenge plots swirling around her.
Meanwhile, Laertes returns from France, enraged by his father's death and his sister's madness. Unlike the contemplative Hamlet, Laertes is a man of action. He quickly raises a rebel army and storms the castle, demanding justice. This impulsive behavior makes him an easy target for manipulation by Claudius, who redirects Laertes' anger towards Hamlet.
Claudius convinces Laertes that Hamlet is solely responsible for all their misfortunes. The king then devises a plan to eliminate Hamlet once and for all. He proposes a fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes, but with a deadly twist: Laertes will use a poison-tipped sword, and Claudius will have a poisoned cup of wine ready as a backup plan.
While these plots are being hatched in Denmark, Hamlet's journey to England takes an unexpected turn. He discovers Claudius's sealed orders for his execution and cleverly replaces them with a forged document condemning Rosencrantz and Guildenstern instead. Then, in a stroke of what Hamlet calls "pirate mercy," his ship is attacked by pirates who agree to return him to Denmark in exchange for a reward.
Hamlet's return to Elsinore sets the stage for the play's climactic final act. He has changed during his absence, showing a new resolve and acceptance of his fate. In a poignant scene set in a graveyard, Hamlet contemplates the equalizing nature of death, famously holding the skull of Yorick, a court jester he knew in his youth. This scene underscores one of the play's central themes – the inevitability of death and the futility of worldly ambitions in the face of mortality.
It's during this scene that Hamlet learns of another tragedy – Ophelia's death. In her madness, she drowned in a brook, surrounded by the flowers she had been obsessively gathering. The news of Ophelia's death adds another layer of grief and guilt to Hamlet's already burdened conscience.
As the play hurtles towards its conclusion, the themes of madness and revenge intertwine. Ophelia's genuine madness serves as a foil to Hamlet's feigned insanity, while Laertes' hot-headed desire for revenge contrasts with Hamlet's more contemplative approach. All of these elements come together to set the stage for the play's tragic finale.
Part 7: The Tragic Conclusion
The final act of "Hamlet" brings together all the play's themes and plot threads in a devastating climax. As Hamlet returns to Elsinore, he is a changed man. His experiences have led him to a kind of fatalistic acceptance of whatever may come. When Horatio expresses concern about the upcoming fencing match with Laertes, Hamlet dismisses his worries with a newfound philosophical outlook. He speaks of a "divinity that shapes our ends," suggesting that while we may try to control our fates, ultimately a higher power determines our destinies.
This attitude is evident in Hamlet's callous dismissal of the fates of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. When Horatio expresses shock at Hamlet's role in their deaths, the prince coldly states that "they are not near my conscience." This hardening of Hamlet's character shows how the events of the play have changed him from the grieving, indecisive prince we met at the beginning.
As the court gathers for the fencing match, the stage is set for the final tragedy. Unbeknownst to Hamlet, both Claudius and Laertes are set on his destruction. Laertes wields a poison-tipped sword, while Claudius has prepared a poisoned cup of wine as a backup plan.
The match begins, and Hamlet performs well, winning the first two bouts. Claudius attempts to poison Hamlet by offering him the drugged wine, but Hamlet declines. In a cruel twist of fate, Gertrude takes a drink from the cup instead, sealing her own doom.
As the match continues, Laertes manages to wound Hamlet with the poisoned blade. In the scuffle that follows, the swords are switched, and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the same poisoned weapon. It's at this moment that Gertrude collapses, crying out that she's been poisoned.
In the chaos that ensues, the dying Laertes reveals the plot to Hamlet. Realizing he has nothing left to lose, Hamlet finally takes his revenge, stabbing Claudius with the poisoned sword and forcing him to drink from the poisoned cup. As Claudius dies, Hamlet has at last avenged his father's murder, but at a terrible cost.
With his dying breaths, Hamlet begs Horatio to live and tell his story to the world. He then gives his blessing to Prince Fortinbras of Norway to take the crown of Denmark, hoping to prevent further bloodshed and political turmoil. His last words, "The rest is silence," serve as a poignant end to a character whose inner thoughts and soliloquies have guided us through the play.
The arrival of Fortinbras, who has been a peripheral figure throughout the play, brings the political aspect of the story full circle. As Fortinbras surveys the scene of carnage, he orders that Hamlet be given a soldier's burial, acknowledging the prince's nobility even in death.
This tragic ending embodies many of Shakespeare's recurring themes. The idea of poetic justice is evident in the way characters fall victim to their own plots – Claudius is killed by his own poison, Laertes by his own treacherous sword. The corrupting nature of revenge is clear in the trail of bodies left in its wake, including many innocents like Ophelia and Gertrude.
Moreover, the ending reinforces the play's meditation on the inevitability of death and the futility of earthly ambitions. All the scheming, all the philosophizing, all the grand plans for revenge or power ultimately end in the same place – the grave.
Final Thoughts
"Hamlet" stands as a towering achievement in world literature, a play that continues to captivate audiences and readers more than four centuries after it was written. Its enduring appeal lies not just in its gripping plot and memorable characters, but in its profound exploration of the human condition.
Through Hamlet's struggles, Shakespeare delves into timeless questions about the nature of existence, the challenges of moral action in an imperfect world, and the complexities of human psychology. The play's famous soliloquies give us unprecedented access to a character's inner thoughts, making Hamlet one of literature's most fully realized and relatable protagonists.
The play's themes remain strikingly relevant today. The corruption of power, the difficulty of discerning truth in a world of appearances, the weight of expectation and duty – these are issues that continue to resonate with modern audiences. Hamlet's existential crisis, his questioning of the meaning of life and the purpose of action in the face of inevitable death, speaks to the universal human experience.
Shakespeare's mastery of language is on full display in "Hamlet." The play is a treasure trove of memorable lines and phrases that have become part of our cultural lexicon. From "To be, or not to be" to "The lady doth protest too much," "Hamlet" has enriched the English language in countless ways.
The play's structure, with its play-within-a-play, its ghost story elements, and its blend of high tragedy with moments of dark humor, showcases Shakespeare's innovative approach to drama. He takes the conventions of the revenge tragedy popular in his time and elevates them, creating a work that transcends genre.
In the end, "Hamlet" is a play about action and inaction, about the gap between thought and deed. It's a story of a man tasked with a mission that goes against his nature, forced to navigate a corrupt world with his moral compass intact. It's a tale of love, loss, betrayal, and the ultimate futility of earthly ambitions in the face of death.
As we close the book on Hamlet's tragic tale, we're left with a deeper appreciation of the complexities of human nature and the eternal struggle to find meaning in a often cruel and confusing world. It's this profound insight into the human condition, coupled with Shakespeare's unparalleled poetry, that ensures "Hamlet" will continue to be read, performed, and cherished for generations to come.