Video SparkNotes: Shakespeare's Hamlet Summary

Summary

In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', the Danish prince grapples with the murder of his father by his uncle Claudius, who then marries Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Haunted by his father's ghost, Hamlet feigns madness to plot revenge. Amidst political intrigue and tragic love with Ophelia, Hamlet's actions lead to a series of deaths, culminating in a climactic fencing match where Hamlet, Laertes, and Claudius all meet their end. The play explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and the moral complexities of justice.

Takeaways

• 👑 Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, dealing with his father's death and his uncle Claudius's ascension to the throne and marriage to his mother, Gertrude.
• 👻 The ghost of Hamlet's father appears, resembling the late king, and is witnessed by soldiers who later inform Hamlet of the sighting.
• 😔 Claudius urges Hamlet to move on from his grief, but Hamlet is inwardly disgusted by his mother's quick remarriage to his uncle.
• 💔 Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia is strained as her family, led by Polonius, believes Hamlet's intentions are dishonorable.
• 🗣️ Hamlet encounters the ghost, who reveals that he was murdered by Claudius through poison poured into his ear, prompting Hamlet to vow revenge.
• 🎭 Hamlet devises a plan to use a play to expose Claudius's guilt by staging a scene mirroring the king's murder, which Claudius reacts to incriminatingly.
• 🗡️ Polonius is mistakenly killed by Hamlet, who believes he is attacking Claudius, further complicating the plot.
• 🚢 Hamlet is sent to England by Claudius, but he escapes and returns to Denmark, foiling Claudius's plan to have him killed.
• 🏰 A fencing match is arranged between Hamlet and Laertes, which is rigged by Laertes and Claudius with a poisoned sword and poisoned wine.
• ⚔️ The climax of the play involves a series of tragic deaths: Gertrude from the poisoned wine, Laertes and Hamlet from the poisoned sword, and Claudius from both the sword and the wine, leading to the end of the royal family's rule.

Q & A

Who is the main character in the play 'Hamlet'?

The main character in 'Hamlet' is Prince Hamlet of Denmark.

What significant event occurs before the play begins?

Before the play begins, Hamlet's father, the king, dies.

Who becomes the king after Hamlet's father's death?

Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, becomes the king after the death of Hamlet's father.

What does the ghost that appears at the beginning of the play resemble?

The ghost resembles Hamlet's father, the dead King.

Why does Claudius tell Hamlet to stop acting so sad about his father's death?

Claudius tells Hamlet to stop acting sad to maintain appearances and to move on from his father's death.

Who is Ophelia and what is her relationship with Hamlet?

Ophelia is Hamlet's girlfriend, and her father and brother try to convince her that Hamlet does not truly love her.

What does the ghost reveal to Hamlet about his death?

The ghost reveals that he is Hamlet's father and that Claudius murdered him by pouring poison in his ear.

How does Hamlet plan to confirm Claudius's guilt?

Hamlet plans to confirm Claudius's guilt by having a group of actors perform a play that mimics the murder of his father and observing Claudius's reaction.

What happens when Claudius sees the play performed by the actors?

When Claudius sees the play, he becomes upset and leaves, which Hamlet interprets as proof of his guilt.

How does Polonius die in the play?

Polonius dies when Hamlet, thinking he is Claudius, stabs him through a tapestry while Polonius is eavesdropping on a conversation between Hamlet and his mother.

What is the outcome of the fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes?

During the fencing match, both Hamlet and Laertes are wounded with a poisoned sword, and Gertrude is accidentally poisoned. This leads to the deaths of Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius, and ultimately Hamlet as well.

Outlines

00:00

👑 Royal Turmoil in Denmark

The script opens with an introduction to Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, who is grieving the death of his father, the king. His uncle Claudius has assumed the throne and married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. A ghost resembling the late king appears to soldiers and is later revealed to Hamlet, who learns of his father's murder by Claudius. Hamlet feigns madness to plot revenge, leading to a series of misunderstandings and tragic events. Ophelia, Hamlet's love interest, is convinced by her family that Hamlet's affections are insincere due to his royal status. This culminates in a tragic sequence where Hamlet inadvertently kills Polonius, thinking it's Claudius, and Ophelia's subsequent descent into madness and death.

05:00

🗡️ Deadly Fencing and Resolution

In the continuation of the narrative, Hamlet survives a pirate attack and returns to Denmark, only to find a kingdom in turmoil. Ophelia's death by drowning adds to the grief. A gravedigger's scene provides a moment of dark humor. Laertes, Ophelia's brother, blames Claudius for his father's death and his sister's madness, leading to a tense confrontation. Claudius and Laertes devise a plan to kill Hamlet in a fencing match using a poisoned sword. The plan goes awry as Gertrude accidentally drinks from a poisoned cup, and both Laertes and Hamlet are wounded by the poisoned sword. In the ensuing chaos, Hamlet kills Claudius and Laertes, and in his final moments, he tasks Horatio with telling his story. The play ends with the arrival of Fortinbras, who claims the kingdom.

Keywords

💡Hamlet

Hamlet is the protagonist of the play and the prince of Denmark. He is a complex character who is struggling with his father's death, his mother's hasty remarriage to his uncle, and the revelation of his father's murder. His actions and internal conflicts drive the narrative of the play, as he seeks to avenge his father's death while dealing with his own emotional turmoil. The keyword 'Hamlet' is central to understanding the themes of revenge, madness, and moral dilemmas explored in the play.

💡Claudius

Claudius is Hamlet's uncle who becomes the new king of Denmark after the death of Hamlet's father. He is a central antagonist in the play, as he is revealed to have murdered his brother, the former king, to usurp the throne. Claudius's actions set off the chain of events that lead to the play's tragic conclusion. The keyword 'Claudius' is significant as it represents themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of political ambition.

💡Ghost

The ghost is the apparition of Hamlet's father, the former king, who appears to Hamlet and reveals that he was murdered by Claudius. The ghost's appearance is a pivotal moment in the play, as it sets Hamlet on a path of revenge and drives the plot forward. The keyword 'Ghost' is integral to the play's exploration of the supernatural, the afterlife, and the moral imperative to avenge one's kin.

💡Ophelia

Ophelia is Hamlet's love interest and the daughter of Polonius. Her character is central to the play's exploration of love, madness, and the treatment of women in a patriarchal society. Ophelia's descent into madness and eventual death are tragic outcomes influenced by the actions and decisions of the men around her, particularly Hamlet and her father. The keyword 'Ophelia' highlights the play's themes of love, mental health, and the fragility of female agency.

💡Revenge

Revenge is a central theme in the play, as Hamlet is driven by the desire to avenge his father's murder. The concept of revenge is complex, as it involves moral questions about the value of retribution and the consequences of seeking it. The keyword 'Revenge' is closely tied to Hamlet's internal struggle and the play's exploration of justice, morality, and the cycle of violence.

💡Madness

Madness is a recurring motif in the play, as Hamlet feigns insanity as part of his plan to expose Claudius's guilt. The keyword 'Madness' is used to explore themes of deception, the blurred lines between sanity and insanity, and the psychological impact of grief and betrayal. Hamlet's 'antic disposition' and Ophelia's descent into madness are key examples of how the concept is used in the narrative.

💡Polonius

Polonius is a courtier and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is a character who represents the voice of reason and authority within the court, often offering advice and counsel to the king and queen. His death at the hands of Hamlet, mistaking him for Claudius, is a significant event that escalates the play's conflict. The keyword 'Polonius' is relevant to the play's themes of loyalty, fatherhood, and the consequences of meddling in affairs of state.

💡Laertes

Laertes is Ophelia's brother and a character whose actions are driven by a desire for revenge for his father's death. His plot with Claudius to kill Hamlet during a fencing match is a key event that leads to the play's tragic climax. The keyword 'Laertes' is significant as it represents themes of familial loyalty, the quest for vengeance, and the tragic consequences of misguided actions.

💡Gertrude

Gertrude is Hamlet's mother and the queen of Denmark, who marries Claudius shortly after her husband's death. Her character is central to the play's exploration of grief, loyalty, and the complexities of mother-son relationships. Gertrude's actions and decisions, including her marriage to Claudius and her eventual death, are key to understanding the play's themes of morality and the personal costs of political alliances.

💡Fencing Match

The fencing match is a pivotal event in the play, orchestrated by Claudius and Laertes as a plot to kill Hamlet. The keyword 'Fencing Match' is significant as it represents the culmination of the play's themes of revenge, betrayal, and the tragic consequences of阴谋诡计. The match serves as the final act of violence that leads to the deaths of several key characters, including Hamlet, Laertes, and Claudius.

💡Fortinbras

Fortinbras is a prince from Norway whose presence in the play serves as a backdrop to the main action in Denmark. His character is less central to the plot but represents themes of political ambition and the consequences of power struggles. The keyword 'Fortinbras' is significant as it relates to the play's exploration of leadership, the nature of rule, and the aftermath of the royal family's demise.

Highlights

Hamlet is the prince of Denmark dealing with his father's death and his uncle's ascension to the throne.

The ghost of Hamlet's father appears, resembling the late king, and is seen by soldiers.

Claudius, now king, urges Hamlet to move on from his father's death.

Hamlet is disgusted by his mother's quick marriage to Claudius.

Ophelia, Hamlet's girlfriend, is influenced by her family to distance herself from Hamlet.

The ghost reveals to Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius with poison.

Hamlet plans to use a play to confirm Claudius's guilt by observing his reaction.

Claudius's abrupt departure during the play suggests his guilt.

Hamlet's hesitation to kill Claudius while he prays reflects his moral conflict.

Accidental death and eavesdropping lead to Polonius's demise by Hamlet's hand.

Ophelia's tragic death by drowning is a significant plot point.

Laertes's return and subsequent conflict with Claudius over his father's death add tension.

Hamlet's escape from England and return to Denmark are pivotal to the story's climax.

A fencing match is orchestrated as a plot to kill Hamlet, which leads to a dramatic turn of events.

The play's climax involves a deadly fencing match, poisoning, and the revelation of Claudius's scheme.

The tragic ending sees the deaths of multiple characters, including Hamlet, and the ascension of Fortinbras.

Transcripts

Hamlet is the prince of Denmark

his father was the king, but he died before the play begins

Hamlet's uncle Claudius has taken over as King and married Hamlet's mother

Gertrude. At the beginning at the play

a ghost appears to some soldiers; he looks just like Hamlet's father,

the dead King. The soldiers agree to tell Hamlet all about it.

Claudius tells Hamlet he has to stop acting so sad about his father's death.

Hamlet says he will. But, when he's by himself,

he says he's disgusted that his mother married Claudius.

Hamlet's girlfriend is Ophelia.

Her father Polonius and her brother Laertes try to convince her that

Hamlet doesn't love her

they point out that because he's a prince he can't marry whoever he wants

they think he's more likely to seduce her than marry her.

Ophelia agrees not to talk to Hamlet any more

Hamlet sees the ghost, who says he

is Hamlet's father he also says that Claudius murdered him by pouring poison

in his ear

Hamlet swears to take revenge. He mentions to the soldiers that in the future

he may find it useful to act as if he's crazy. Ophelia tells her father that

Hamlet came to see her after she returned his love letters

and he seems insane his clothes were messed up

he was trembling and pale and he looked scared. Polonius now thinks Hamlet

really did love Ophelia

and he's gone mad because she rejected him. Claudius and Gertrude

ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, some friends of Hamlet's from school,

to spend time with them and try to find out why he's been acting crazy

Rosencrantz and Guiledenstern try to cheer Hamlet up by telling him the group of

actors has arrived at the castle

Hamlet decides he'll have the actors perform a play that mimics the murder of

his father.

He wants to see if Claudius reacts to it and shows his guilt.

he says the ghost might actually be a lying devil

Claudius's reaction to the play will clear up the mystery

Claudius, Gertrude and Polonius want to test the theory that Hamlet is acting crazy

because he is lovesick

so they spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet is very nasty to

Ophelia and tells her she should go become a nun

after hearing this Claudius decides Hamlet is not in love

he does think Hamlet's obsessed with something and since he thinks Hamlet

poses a threat to him

he decides to send him to England that evening

the actors perform the play Hamlet requested. When Claudius sees a scene

where a king is murdered by having poison poured in his ear

he becomes so upset that he gets up and leaves. Hamlet sees this reaction as

proof that Claudius did indeed murder his father.

When Claudius is by himself he admits he murdered Hamlet's father.

he tries to pray for forgiveness but he can't seem to make himself do it

hamlet comes into the room behind him with a sword

but he decides not to kill him because he thinks claudius will go straight to

heaven if he dies while he's praying

and he wants him to go to hell hamlet goes to see his mother

not knowing that she's given Polonius permission to hide behind a tapestry

and listen to their conversation. Hamlet makes her sit down and tells her

she's not leaving until he shows her how bad she really is.

Gertrude gets frightened and calls out for help

hearing her, Polonius calls out for help too and Hamlet, thinking it's Claudius behind

the tapestry

stands polonius through the clock and kills him. Hamlet tells his mother how

awful it is that she sleeping with Claudius

he doesn't come right out and say that road is murder King Hamlet

or that he thinks gertrude knew about it he focuses more on how much better his

father was the glorious

and tries to make his mother promise not to sleep with claudius anymore

she tells hamlet that he's making her feel guilty

the ghost enters and scolds Hamlet for taking so long to get revenge

hamlet sees the ghost but his mother doesn't she thinks is crazy

Hamlet leaves hauling away Polonius's body

claudius and hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

but he's by himself he says he's given Rosencrantz and Guildenstern sealed

letters

ordering the king of england hamlet today immediately after opening the

latter

a three-year loses her mind following her father's death

Laertes returns to Denmark billion noisy crowd of supporters

he blames Claudius for his father's death and his sisters insanity

and threatens to overthrow him Claudius manages to persuade Laertes that

Hamlet is really to blame

Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet saying that the ship he was on was attacked by

pirates

hamlet was taken prisoner by himself and brought back to Denmark

Claudius and Laertes also receive a letter from Hamlet in which he says he's

arrived back to Denmark alone

and will come to see Claudius the next day

now that they know hamlet didn't die in England they start plotting a new way to

kill him

the look like an accident

Gertrude brings the news that Ophelia drowned in a stream.

Two grave diggers talk and joke while digging Ophelia's grave

Hamlet gets into a conversation with one of them he doesn't yet know that Ophelia

is dead

Claudius, Gertrude and Laertes arrive to bury Ophelia

they lay here in the ground but before they can throw earth on her

Laertes leaps to into the grave to hug her one more time

Hamlet finally realizes who they're burying and starts swearing that no one

loved Ophelia more than he did

he jumps into the grave too and he and Laertes fight until they're pulled apart

Hamlet tells Horatio that on the way to England he stole the letter that would have

sentenced him to death

and wrote a replacement telling the king of england to put Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern to death

he managed to get free during the pirate attack and then he returned to Denmark.

A courtier named was Osric interrupts them to invite Hamlet

to a fencing match with Laertes to be held in front of the King and Queen

Hamlet agrees

before the match Laertes poisons the tip of his sword and Claudius

poisons a cup of wine. Hamlet gets the first hit

claudius is going to give him a precious pearl as a reward

and he drops the pearl into the poison Cup and offers it to Hamlet

but hamlet says he's not ready to drink yet

Hamlet gets the second hit. Gertrude picks up the poisoned cup

drinks from it before Claudius can stop her

Laertes finally gets a hit wounding Hamlet with a poison sword

and they both get mad and start grappling with each other

in the scuffle they exchange swords and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the

poisoned one

gertrude collapses and says she's been poisoned

Laertes confesses to hamlet he poisoned the sword and says they're both

going to die

he blames Claudius for the scheme. Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword

and forces him to drink from the poisoned cup . Claudius dies.

Laertes dies saying he's sorry for what he's done

Hamlet tells Horatio to remain behind and tell the truth about everything that has

happened

then he dies

Fortinbras a prince in Norway arrives with his army on a visit to Claudius

when he sees that the whole royal family is dead

he claims the kingdom for himself

for more information about Hamlet see the Hamlet SparkNote on sparknotes.com

If you'd like a translation of Hamlet into modern English

see No Fear Hamlet on sparknotes.com