Intro and Overview:
One of Shakespeare’s most renown plays is Hamlet. Widely Acknowledged among scholars as Shakespeare’s masterpiece the play of Hamlet has become one of most quoted pieces of literature in the English language whose many themes and motifs are evident parts of modern society.
Hamlet has influenced and continues to influence many works of literature. Describing the revenge of a young prince for his deceased father, Hamlet appears as a simplistic and unoriginal play to those who do not know that it is modern stories and plays borrowing ideas and plot-lines from Hamlet. The ideas of revenge and family love that are shown throughout this play are also very real in life both back then and now. The concept of an eye for an eye is a universal one and though the play ends with most characters dying, this is gotten across to the audience. The love for a father and real family is also shown in this play. Countless movies have showcased the principle character avenging the death of a close family member. Through these motifs, the reader or audience can more properly connect and associate to Hamlet.
There is a reason for the widespread popularity of this play. Shakespeare manages to thoughtfully create complex characters whose problems and actions an audience can relate to. This play is truthfully a masterpiece of a work of literature. (Source)
Act 1: The first of five acts in this Shakespearean play begins at the Elsinore castle, where, Francisco, at his post is replaced by Bernardo who awaits the presence of Horatio and Marcellus. Horatio is told that Bernardo and Marcellus have seen a ghost. After he himself witnesses the presence of such a ghost, of similar stature to the deceased King, he is convinced he must tell prince Hamlet about this. Prince Hamlet is attending his Uncle’s wedding to his mother. There, Laertes, Polonius’s son, requests to depart for Paris. His wish is granted by Claudius. Horatio then arrives to Hamlet reporting of his earlier sighting of his father’s ghost. Polonius then tells his daughter not to be associating herself with Hamlet. Once more at the post in Elsinore Castle, Horatio, Marcellus and Hamlet await for the ghost to appear. It does just so and reveals itself as the Spirit of King Hamlet and explains he was murdered by his brother Claudius. Hamlet vows revenge.
Act 2: The second act begins two months after the first with Polonius instructing one of his servants to spy on his son Laertes who is in Paris. Polonius’ daughter then explains to her father that Hamlet appeared mad last she had seen him. Polonius decides to report this to King Claudius as frustrated love. The King and Queen send good friends of Hamlet; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to inquire on Hamlet’s depressed state. The ambassadors that had been sent to Norway then return with news that Fortinbra apologizes and has decided to attack Poland instead. Polonius shows a love letter from Hamlet to Ophelia, to the King and Queen. After Hamlet is visited by his two friends they admit to having been sent by Claudius and Gertrude. A very talented company of actors arrives to the castle. They are asked to perform “The Murder of Gonzago” the following night, in which is a similar death to that of Hamlet’s father. He chooses this play so as to see King Claudius’s guilty expression while watching it.
Act 3: The first scene of this act begins in the Elsinore castle with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern explaining that they were unable to discover the reasons for Hamlet’s strange behavior. Polonius decides to spy on Ophelia and Hamlet with Claudius. Hamlet speaks very roughly with Ophelia, telling her to join a nunnery and clearly stating he is not interested in her. This observation makes the King nervous and unsure about what to do so he decides to send him to England. Before the play begins, Hamlet asks Horatio to play close attention to the King. All are watching the play, which has been modified by prince Hamlet and when the poison is poured into the ear of the counterpart to the deceased King Hamlet, Claudius storms away looking rather guilty. In another place, King Claudius instructs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to accompany Hamlet to England, and after being told about Hamlet’s future meeting with Gertrude, Polonius is sent to spy on them. Claudius leaves the scene, he begins to pray. It is then that Hamlet enters and with an opportunity to kill him decides not to as he assumes a praying man killed goes to heaven. Hamlet enters the Queen’s quarters. When Polonius makes a noise behind the curtain, Hamlet stabs him with his sword. Gertrude agrees not to reveal that he pretends to be crazy, and after an apparition of King Hamlet’s ghost reminding him of the failure of his task, he leaves dragging the body of Polonius.
Act 4: The fourth act begins with Claudius finding out about Polonius’ murder. Claudius then begins to fear not only Hamlet, but the blame that could be put onto him for allowing Hamlet such liberty. Hamlet enters and is commanded to leave to England, after which Claudius reveals his intentions of killing him on his arrival. On his way to England, Prince Hamlet encounters Fortinbras and his army on their way to fight the Poles. Once more he scolds himself for not having taken action and killed Claudius. Back at Elsinore castle, Gertrude is informed of Ophelia having become crazy at which point she enters singing strange and distant tunes. Laertes marches in asking for an explanation in regards to his father’s death. The next scene shows Horatio receiving a letter from Hamlet, explaining that he has been boarded by pirates and is back in Denmark while Guildenstern and Rosencrantz have proceeded to England. Laertes and the King receive a letter saying Hamlet is back in Denmark. They then decide to work together to kill Hamlet through a poisoned sword in a fencing match. They also consider offering a poisoned drink. The following scene is when Gertrude is informed of Ophelia’s death by drowning.
Act 5: The final act of this tragedy begins at a cemetery where two gravediggers are at work and being supervised by Hamlet and Horatio. The Queen, King Claudius and Laertes enter the scene participating in the funeral of Ophelia. Laertes is sad enough that he goes into her grave embracing Ophelia’s body. Hamlet is angered by him doing this and leaps into the grave as well. Horatio is told by Hamlet that he discovered about the letter by the King to have him killed and forged one instructing the death of Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. Hamlet is then challenged to a fencing match where the King plans to have him killed. Gertrude accidentally drinks from the poisoned cup. When Hamlet looks the other way he is wounded by Laertes’ poisoned sword. Hamlet fatally wounds Laertes in return. Before dying then and there, Gertrude informs Hamlet of the poisoned drink. Laertes, also on the brink of death confesses their plot leading Hamlet to impale Claudius with the poisoned sword and make him drink from the poisoned beverage. Before dying, Hamlet asks Horatio to tell of what had happened that day, and that Fortinbras is to be named King of Denmark.
Evaluation:
I think that this play more than satisfies the reader as it has proved to be an interesting and fruitful experience for myself. I knew that Hamlet was one of most famous Shakespeare plays and therefore decided to read it. Reading the interesting plots and speeches within the play not only enhances vocabulary, but also one’s understanding for many other stories which have borrowed from Hamlet.
Getting to know each character, and watch them progress and change throughout the play is great especially because of their relatable characteristics. I recommend this book to anyone who has not yet read Hamlet’s beautiful words.
Cruel Only to be Kind 