HAMLET BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Summary

Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' is a tragic tale of revenge set in Denmark. After the sudden death of King Hamlet, his son is troubled by his mother's quick remarriage to Claudius, the new king. A ghost reveals Claudius's murder, prompting Hamlet to seek revenge. Through feigned madness and a play-within-a-play, Hamlet confirms Claudius's guilt. The story spirals into tragedy with deaths, including Hamlet's, and ends with the Danish kingdom's takeover by Prince Fortinbras, highlighting the devastating consequences of unchecked revenge.

Takeaways

• 🎭 **Hamlet's Background**: The play 'Hamlet' is a tragedy by Shakespeare, set around 1600 AD, where most characters meet a tragic end.
• 👑 **Royal Transition**: King Hamlet of Denmark dies, and his brother Claudius swiftly marries the widowed Queen Gertrude, becoming the new king.
• 👻 **Ghostly Encounter**: Hamlet encounters the ghost of his father who reveals that he was murdered by Claudius, sparking Hamlet's desire for revenge.
• 🤔 **Feigned Madness**: To gather more information, Hamlet pretends to be mad, observing the reactions of those around him to uncover the truth.
• 💔 **Love and Rejection**: Hamlet's sudden rejection of Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius, adds to the complexity of the play's emotional turmoil.
• 🎭 **The Play Within a Play**: Hamlet arranges a play that mirrors his father's murder to observe Claudius's reaction, a pivotal moment to confirm his guilt.
• 🔪 **Mistaken Killing**: In a tragic turn of events, Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, thinking it's Claudius, leading to further chaos.
• 🏰 **Royal Intrigue**: The play is filled with spying, deceit, and political maneuvering within the Danish royal court.
• ⚔️ **Duel and Deceit**: Laertes, driven by revenge for his father's death and sister's demise, duels with Hamlet, both unaware of the poisoned sword and wine.
• 🏳️ **Tragic Conclusion**: The play concludes with the death of almost all main characters, including Hamlet, and the kingdom falls to Prince Fortinbras of Norway.

Q & A

Who is the protagonist of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'?

The protagonist of 'Hamlet' is Prince Hamlet, the son of the recently deceased King Hamlet of Denmark.

What is the significance of the term 'tragedy' in the context of 'Hamlet'?

In 'Hamlet', the term 'tragedy' signifies that the play ends with the death of most, if not all, of the main characters, which is a common characteristic of Shakespearean tragedies.

Why is Hamlet troubled at the beginning of the play?

Hamlet is troubled because his father, King Hamlet, has recently died, and his mother, Gertrude, has quickly married his uncle Claudius, who is now the new King of Denmark.

What does the ghost of King Hamlet reveal to Hamlet?

The ghost of King Hamlet reveals to Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius, Hamlet's uncle and now the king.

How does Hamlet plan to confirm Claudius's guilt?

Hamlet plans to confirm Claudius's guilt by staging a play, 'The Murder of Gonzago', which mirrors the circumstances of his father's murder and observing Claudius's reaction.

What is the significance of the phrase 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark'?

The phrase 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark' is a metaphorical expression of the corruption and moral decay within the kingdom, reflecting the political and personal turmoil in the story.

Why does Hamlet suddenly spurn Ophelia?

Hamlet spurns Ophelia to create an illusion of madness, as part of his plan to investigate his father's death and Claudius's guilt without arousing suspicion.

What is the purpose of the play within the play in 'Hamlet'?

The play within the play serves as a tool for Hamlet to test Claudius's reaction to the reenactment of the murder of his father, thereby confirming his guilt.

How does Polonius's death influence the events of the play?

Polonius's death, mistakenly caused by Hamlet, leads to a series of tragic events, including Ophelia's madness and eventual drowning, and Laertes's vengeful challenge to Hamlet.

What is the outcome of the duel between Hamlet and Laertes?

In the duel, both Hamlet and Laertes are wounded by a poisoned sword. Gertrude dies after drinking poisoned wine, and Laertes confesses the plot before dying. Hamlet then kills Claudius.

How does the play 'Hamlet' end?

The play ends with the deaths of Hamlet, Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius, leaving the kingdom to be taken over by Prince Fortinbras of Norway.