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A short summary of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of Hamlet.
Hamlet, tragedy in five acts by William Shakespeare, written about 1599–1601 and published in a quarto edition in 1603 from an unauthorized text. Often considered the greatest drama of all time, the play tells the story of the troubled titular prince of Denmark.
- David Bevington
A ghost resembling the recently-deceased King of Denmark stalks the ramparts of Elsinore, Denmark’s royal castle, over the course of several nights, setting all the castle’s guardsmen on edge. The terrified sentinels Marcellus, Francisco, and Barnardo convince a skeptical nobleman, Horatio, to watch along with them one night.
- Late at night, guards on the battlements of Denmark's Elsinore castle are met by Horatio, Prince Hamlet's friend from school. The guards describe a ghost they have seen that resembles Hamlet's father, the recently-deceased king.
- According to his plan, Hamlet begins to act strangely. He rejects Ophelia, while Claudius and Polonius, the royal attendant, spy on him. They had hoped to find the reason for Hamlet's sudden change in behaviour but could not.
- At the performance, Hamlet watches Claudius closely to see how he reacts. The play provokes Claudius, and he interrupts the action by storming out.
- Hamlet is sent to England, supposedly as an ambassador, just as King Fortinbras of Norway crosses Denmark with an army to attack Poland. During his journey, Hamlet discovers Claudius has a plan to have him killed once he arrives.
William Shakespeare. Cite This Page. Download PDF. Contents. Summary. Chapter Summaries. Themes. Characters. Symbols. Quotes. Act 1, Scene 1. One night at the Danish castle of Elsinore, a soldier named Barnardo relieves Francisco—a fellow soldier—from his watch duties.
Jun 6, 2023 · Shakespeare's Hamlet tells the story of Prince Hamlet's efforts to avenge his father's murder. Here are some key plot summary points: After conversing with his father's ghost,...
