William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: an overview

Sources

• Ur-Hamlet, a lost play, 1588, possibly by Thomas Kyd.

• Derived from Francois Belleforest’s Histoires Traqiques, 1580.

• 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