Summary and Analysis: Hamlet

Author:
Hamlet is written by the legendary Bard, William Shakespeare. Although Shakespeare was already successful and respected by the time of Hamlet, many consider Hamlet as Shakespeare at his best, and is perhaps one of the most recognizable and widely quoted of his work.

Setting:
Hamlet is set in medieval Denmark, and most of the play occurs in the castle of Elsinore. Textual evidence suggests that the play is set during the winter.

Characters:
The character of Hamlet are known for being layered and complex.

Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, son of old Hamlet and Gertrude, nephew to Claudius. Despite being 30ish years old, scholars note that his character seems somewhat immature. Lacks conviction and is the main subject of character study due to the large amount of dialogue concerning life and existence.

Claudius: Uncle of Hamlet, king of Denmark, husband of Gertrude. Committed murder to acquire the throne and marry Gertrude. Unlike modern stories, the character is not a stock antagonist: textual evidence suggests that he feels guilt and regret from his sins and some depictions of Claudius have him as much a victim as Hamlet, old and young. Despite this, he does conspire against Hamlet.
Interesting to note is that Claudius is a notably Latin name. In fact, Claudius was a historic figure, the emperor preceding the infamous Nero of Rome. Acquired the throne through treachery and luck.

Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, mother of Hamlet, former wife of old Hamlet and current one to Claudius. Although not an active player of the going-on in Elsinore, her role is no less important. Her quick marriage to Claudius soon after old Hamlet's death infuriates Hamlet and can be seen as what kicks the play in motion. Although relatively detached from the events of the play, her love for her son is evident, and some depictions have her committing the ultimate sacrifice to save her son.

Polonius: Adviser to Claudius, father of Laertes and Ophelia. Seen as a witless clown by scholars, Polonius has the significant honor of being the first character to die. Although he has great care for his son, Polonius has an almost complete disregard for his daughter unless it suits him. The usually butt of Hamlet's abuse.

Ophelia: Daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes, lover of Hamlet. Interpretations of her character vary. Some see Ophelia as a witless daisy of a girl that was another bystander and causality of the plots of men. Others see her as an equal of Hamlet, merely not in the grace of fate. Either way, her relationship with Hamlet breaks off and Polonius's death contributes to her apparent insanity and suicide. Ophelia in death plays as much a significant role as Ophelia in life, perhaps more, as it opens discussion of class roles in society and also an additional scene where Hamlet mourns her and grapples with Laertes.

Laertes: Son of Polonius, brother of Ophelia. Laertes can best be described as a foil to Hamlet. Whereas Hamlet is cautious and slow in action, Laertes is hot-blooded and vengeful, immediately demanding revenge for his father's death, with little consideration of the consequences. Further enraged upon Ophelia's madness and suicide.

Plot:
Act I:
The main conflicts are introduced. Guards, in an atmosphere of suspense and suspicion, see what appears to be the ghost of the recently deceased old Hamlet, king of Denmark. Fortinbras of Norway plots to seize lost territory with an invasion of Denmark. Hamlet is upset at his mother's quick marriage to her recently deceased husband's brother. Hamlet is compelled by his friends to visit the ghost, who does claim to be the ghost of his father. Furthermore, the ghost reveals to Hamlet that he was murdered by the current king of Denmark: Claudius.
Act II:
Ophelia rushes to her father, stating that Hamlet charged into her room and seemed to be insane. Believing that Hamlet is insane due to love, Polonius heads to Claudius. The king of Denmark employs two of Hamlet's childhood friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet to determine what lies on his mind. A band of performers arrive, and Hamlet employs them to mimic the ghost's account of his death in order to prove Claudius's guilt.
Act III:
Claudius discovers that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have no clue about Hamlet's intentions. Meanwhile, Hamlet contemplates suicide and existence before he encounters Ophelia, who is being used by Polonius and Claudius to spy on Hamlet. Hamlet, not deceived, denounces his love for Ophelia, orders her to a nunnery, and threatens Claudius's life. Although Claudius doubts Polonius's assertions about Hamlet's love for Ophelia, Polonius concocts a meeting between Hamlet and his mother to ascertain the Prince's intentions. The play occurs, and Claudius's guilt is proven. While Claudius prays to rid himself of sin, Hamlet contemplates murdering him, but backs down. During his encounter with his mother, Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius, rails against Gertrude and her apparent sin of remarriage, gets visited by the ghost once again (who reminds Hamlet to take his mother as an innocent), and convinces his mother to distance herself from Claudius.
Act IV:
Hamlet refuses to cooperate and disclose what was done with Polonius's body. Claudius has Hamlet sent to England along with Rosencrantz and Guildernstern and a message ordering the murder of Hamlet. Ophelia is reintroduced, and apparently insane. Laertes returns from a trip, a crowd at his back, and demands revenge for his father's murder. Ophelia returns, enraging Laertes at her transformation. Claudius, upon hearing Hamlet's magical return from his trip, conspires with Laertes to kill him. Ophelia is revealed as dead.
Act V:
The act opens with comic relief, as two gravediggers debate on the nature of Ophelia's death. Hamlet enters and confides in his friend Horatio. After a brief fight with Laertes over Ophelia's body, Hamlet accepts both a dual with Laertes and his fate. Hamlet duals with Laertes. Gertrude drinks a poisoned cup meant for Hamlet, Laertes is cut by his own poisoned blade after cutting Hamlet, and Hamlet finally kills Claudius and dies. Fortinbras arrives and after listening to Horatio about the events, orders Hamlet to be bore out as a soldier.