Hamlet by William Shakespeare | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary & Analysis

Summary

In Act 1, Scene 1 of *Hamlet*, sentinels Bernardo and Marcellus, along with Horatio, witness the appearance of a ghost resembling the late King Hamlet at Elsinore Castle. Initially skeptical, Horatio becomes fearful as the ghost refuses to speak and disappears with the sunrise. Horatio recounts the story of King Hamlet’s victory over Fortinbras of Norway and hints at looming danger for Denmark, as Fortinbras’ son seeks revenge. This scene introduces themes of supernatural omens, political unrest, and the contrasting natures of action and thought, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

Takeaways

• 👻 The scene takes place at night with sentinels Bernardo and Francisco on watch at Elsinore Castle.
• 🛡️ Francisco is about to go off duty when Marcellus and Horatio, Prince Hamlet's friend, arrive.
• 👀 The sentinels have been seeing a ghost that resembles the late King Hamlet, Prince Hamlet's father.
• 🤨 Horatio is initially skeptical about the existence of the ghost.
• 👁️ The ghost suddenly appears, convincing Horatio that it is real.
• 😨 Horatio is frightened by the ghost and believes it may be a bad omen for Denmark.
• ⚔️ The ghost is wearing armor that King Hamlet wore during his battle with Fortinbras of Norway.
• 📜 Horatio recounts the story of King Hamlet killing Fortinbras over a small piece of land.
• 👑 Fortinbras' son is now seeking revenge and to reclaim the land, introducing a subplot.
• 🧠 Horatio goes from skepticism to fear, highlighting the theme of thought versus action, with Fortinbras as a foil to Hamlet.

Q & A

What is the setting of Act 1, Scene 1 in *Hamlet*?

The scene is set at Elsinore Castle in Denmark during the night, where Sentinels Bernardo and Francisco are standing watch.

Who are the main characters introduced in this scene?

The main characters introduced are the Sentinels Bernardo, Francisco, and Marcellus, along with Horatio, a friend of Prince Hamlet.

What are the Sentinels discussing before the ghost appears?

They are discussing the appearance of a ghost that resembles the late King Hamlet, Prince Hamlet's father, which they have seen during their night watches.

How does Horatio react to the news of the ghost?

Initially, Horatio is skeptical and doesn't believe the ghost exists, but he becomes terrified after witnessing it for himself.

What is significant about the ghost's appearance?

The ghost is wearing the armor that King Hamlet wore when he fought and defeated old Fortinbras of Norway, which hints at its connection to Denmark’s past conflicts.

What backstory does Horatio provide in this scene?

Horatio recounts how King Hamlet killed old Fortinbras of Norway in battle, and now young Fortinbras seeks to avenge his father's death and reclaim the lost land.

Why is the appearance of the ghost seen as a bad omen?

Horatio suggests that the ghost's appearance might foreshadow something bad for Denmark, given the unsettling state of the nation and the ghost’s resemblance to the late king.

What does the sunrise signify in this scene?

The sunrise causes the ghost to disappear before it can speak, marking the end of the supernatural event and the Sentinels' night watch.

What do the Sentinels and Horatio decide to do after seeing the ghost?

They decide to inform Prince Hamlet of the ghost's appearance, believing that it may have something important to reveal to him.

How does this scene introduce the theme of thought versus action in *Hamlet*?

The scene introduces Fortinbras as a man of action, setting him up as a foil to Hamlet, who is more contemplative. This contrast highlights a central theme in the play, where Hamlet struggles between thinking and acting.