Hamlet
by William Shakespeare
Hamlet is a tragedy and revenge play by William Shakespeare. It is one of his best-known works, one of the most-quoted writings in the English language and is universally included on lists of the world’s greatest books.
Source: White, R.G. ed. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. New York: Sully and Kleinteich.
- Cast of Characters
- The Cast of Characters is Presented.
- Act 1, Scene 1
- The watchmen and Horatio encounter a familiar spirit at Castle Elsinore.
- Act 1, Scene 2
- Claudius explains his hasty nuptials. Gertrude and Claudius have a request for Hamlet. Hamlet continues to lament his loss.
- Act 1, Scene 3
- Laertes counsels Ophelia in matters of the heart. Polonius gives his son some fatherly advice before he departs.
- Act 1, Scene 4
- Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus wait for another encounter with the spirit.
- Act 1, Scene 5
- The spirit gives Hamlet some unsettling news. Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus take an oath of secrecy.
- Act 2, Scene 1
- Poloinius intends to keep a watchful eye on Laertes. Ophelia reports a strange encounter with Hamlet to her father.
- Act 2, Scene 2
- Claudius and Gertrude hope that visitors will help with Hamlet's mood. Claudius receives news from Norway. Polonius, believing he has discovered the cause for Hamlet's madness, attempts to have a conversation with him. The arrival of the acting troupe gives Hamlet the opportunity to devise a trap for Claudius.
- Act 3, Scene 1
- Gertrude and Claudius agree to see the play. Polonius and Claudius secretly observe Hamlet's behavior leading Claudius to an unsettling conclusion.
- Act 3, Scene 2
- Hamlet prepares the actors for their performance. Horatio agrees to help Hamlet by observing Claudius. Claudius' behavior during the play is very strange. Hamlet is summoned by Gertrude.
- Act 3, Scene 3
- Claudius prepares to dispatch Hamlet to England. Hamlet, encountering Claudius in mid-prayer, resolves to act later and under different circumstances.
- Act 3, Scene 4
- Polonius attempt at eavesdropping does not go as planned. Hamlet encounters the ghostly visitor once more.
- Act 4, Scene 1
- Gertrude tells Claudius of her encounter with Hamlet and Polonius' fate.
- Act 4, Scene 2
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern confront Hamlet.
- Act 4, Scene 3
- Claudius announces the fate of Polonius to his attendants. Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Hamlet depart for England unaware of the King's intentions.
- Act 4, Scene 4
- Hamlet's encounter with Fortinbras fortifies his desire for revenge.
- Act 4, Scene 5
- Ophelia behavior is cause for concern. Laertes returns from France seeking revenge of his own.
- Act 4, Scene 6
- Horatio receives correspondence for Hamlet, who has returned to Denmark.
- Act 4, Scene 7
- Claudius meets with Laertes to discuss Polonius and Hamlet. Gertrude tells Claudius of Ophelia's fate.
- Act 5, Scene 1
- Hamlet and Horatio come upon two grave-diggers. Hamlet ponders the inevitability of death. The arrival of Ophelia's funeral procession results in a confrontation between Hamlet and Laertes.
- Act 5, Scene 2
- Laertes' and Claudius' scheme does not go as planned. Hamlet instructs Horatio as Fortinbras prepares to enter the castle.