HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK (ca. 1600-1601)
By William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
A Study Guide prepared by Cora Agatucci
for English 105: Introduction to Literature - Drama

PLOT SYNOPSIS, THEMES, KEY SPEECHES, DRAMATIC QUESTIONS

Act I. Most of the action of the play occurs in and around the castle at Elsinore in Denmark. King Hamlet is dead, and Prince Hamlet has returned to Denmark from school in Wittenberg, Germany, only to discover that Queen Gertrude, his mother, has married his uncle Claudius. Claudius has had himself crowned king. Hamlet is informed that what is apparently the ghost of his dead father has appeared to the palace guards. When he later confronts the ghost, the ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius has murdered his father and hastily married Queen Gertrude. Throughout the play, the ongoing border disputes and political machinations among Denmark, Norway, and Poland serve as a backdrop to the action in the Danish court. Prince Fortinbras, whose father was killed by Prince Hamlet's father, is a man of action, and his character serves as a foil to the contemplative Prince Hamlet. Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain, his son Laertes, and daughter Ophelia are important characters in this drama. Polonius and Laertes are concerned about Ophelia's romantic involvement with Hamlet and caution her against such a relationship. Polonius also provides fatherly advice to Laertes as he leaves for Paris.

1. The opening scene, I.i, is often admired for Shakespeare's skill in establishing the atmosphere that pervades the entire play and its deft exposition in introducing the play's central tensions. Note the attitudes expressed toward Hamlet Sr.'s ghost, and the role of the ghost here and later in the play. 
Consider this key Dramatic Question: Is this ghost from heaven or hell? (e.g., I.iv.69-74)
2. Important Themes Introduced: appearance (seeming) vs. reality (e.g., I.ii.64-86) ; fate vs. free will (e.g., I.ii.254-257); public vs. private duty (e.g., I.iii.17-24); good and evil (I.iv.20-38); revenge & incest (e.g., I.v.43-113); the health of state and state of its ruler. Among the most powerful images throughout the play are those of decay and corruption, both in personal terms for Hamlet and in political terms for Denmark: look for these images.
3. Dramatic Questions: How did King Hamlet Sr. die? Why is it important to Horatio and Hamlet to determine whether it is "an honest ghost"? Should Hamlet avenge his father's death?--Hamlet begins his continuous search for an answer to this question that runs through the rest of the play. How do the emerging subplots concerning Polonius and his children, and young Fortinbras and the political situation with Norway comment on the main plot involving Prince Hamlet?
4. Key Speeches: Hamlet's Soliloquies: I.ii.129-159; I.iii.254-257; I.v.93-113. As you examine these and future soliloquies, consider what each reveals about Hamlet's state of mind and/or new plot developments.

Act II. Hamlet's emotional turmoil over his father's murder has left him in a visibly agitated condition, which some members of the court have interpreted as madness. Claudius and Gertrude, concerned for his welfare, summon two of Hamlet's oldest friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, in the hopes that they can learn what is troubling him. Hamlet is immediately skeptical about their surprise visit. Anxious to confirm his own suspicions regarding the source of Hamlet's trouble, Polonius arranges a meeting between Ophelia and Hamlet, for he is convinced that Hamlet's love for Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet's suffering. When Polonius approaches Hamlet, Hamlet answers his questions although he believes Polonius to be a foolish old man. When a group of players arrives at the Danish court to entertain, Hamlet arranges for them to perform The Murder of Gonzago with the addition of lines Hamlet has written. What Hamlet hopes is to prove Claudius's guilt in the murder by watching his reaction to the play-within-the-play that the actors will stage.

1. Key Themes & Speeches: madness (compare Hamlet's to Ophelia's); "What a piece of work is a man!" (II.ii.314-321); the purpose of drama (II.ii.22-27).
2. Dramatic Questions: Much time passes between Act I and Act II: why hasn't Hamlet yet avenged his father's death? Why does Hamlet feign madness? Or is he truly mad? Be alert for the inconsistencies in Hamlet's behavior through the play. Why does Hamlet ask the players to perform "The Murder of Gonzago," which he calls "The Mouse-trap"?
3. Key Speech: Hamlet's Soliloquy: II.ii.561-618

Act III. When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report back to Claudius that they have no explanation for Hamlet's strange behavior, Claudius decides to eavesdrop with Polonius on the meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia. Although Hamlet treats Ophelia irrationally, Claudius is suspicious of his behavior and makes plans to send Hamlet to England. The players perform their drama in which the events portrayed, with Hamlet's alterations, almost duplicate the circumstances surrounding King Hamlet's death. Hamlet observes that Claudius is visibly upset by the play. When he leaves abruptly, Claudius confirms his guilt in the eyes of Hamlet and his friend Horatio. Out of concern for Hamlet's welfare, Queen Gertrude meets privately with her son in her chambers. Polonius, however, is eavesdropping behind a wall tapestry. Hamlet's rebukes cause Gertrude to cry out, and Polonius cries out as well, fearful for her welfare. Believing he has heard Claudius, Hamlet stabs through the tapestry, killing Polonius.

1. Dramatic Questions: What is the significance of King Claudius's reaction to the play? Why doesn't Hamlet kill Claudius at the end of Act III? How does Polonius come to be killed? Why has Gertrude married her dead husband's brother? Did Gertrude take part in King Hamlet Sr.'s murder? How do you know this? Who do you count to be Hamlet's true friends?
2. Key Speeches: Hamlet's Soliloquies: III.i.56-89; III.ii.395-406; III.iii.73-96; 
Claudius also has the first of his two soliloquies: III.iii.36-72.

Act IV. Polonius's death provides Claudius with the opportunity to send Hamlet to England, under the false pretense of protecting his life, when in reality, Claudius has asked the King of England to kill Prince Hamlet. Grief-stricken by his father's death, Laertes solicits Claudius's assistance in finding Polonius's murderer. Meanwhile, Hamlet sends word to Horatio that he has been taken prisoner by pirates who have returned him to Denmark and asks Horatio to join him. In order to remove Hamlet as a threat, Claudius now plans an exhibition duel in which Laertes will use a sword tipped in poison on Hamlet.

1. Dramatic Questions: Why does Ophelia go mad? How do first Claudius, then Hamlet use Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
2. Key Speeches: Hamlet's Last Soliloquy: IV.iv.32-66. Claudius's second soliloquy: IV.iii.62-72.

Act V. Ophelia's madness and subsequent drowning precipitate a confrontation between Laertes and Hamlet at her grave, but Claudius intervenes, privately assuring Laertes that his revenge will come in the duel with Hamlet which Claudius has arranged. Hamlet seals the fate of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern by substituting another letter in the envelope which originally contained his own death orders, requesting that the King of England put them to death. In spite of Horatio's concern, Hamlet agrees to the duel with Laertes and appears before the court as requested. Not only does Claudius poison the tip of the sword, he also offers Hamlet a drink from a poisoned cup. Instead, Gertrude drinks from the cup and swoons from the effect of the poison, her dying words warning Hamlet of the plot against him. As the duel progresses Laertes and Hamlet inadvertently exchange swords during a scuffle; consequently, both are mortally wounded, and Hamlet manages to kill Claudius as well. As the play closes, Fortinbras arrives, victorious over Poland, and the dying Hamlet names him as the new king. Fortinbras pays tribute to Hamlet and arranges for an appropriate burial.

1. Dramatic Questions: What is the function of the scene with the clowns (V.i)--is this simply "comic relief" or does the dialogue of the gravediggers advance the play's themes? Why does Shakespeare offer us no more soliloquies by Hamlet in Act V? What are Claudius's backup plans with Laertes for Hamlet's death? How do these plans backfire? Who dies in the final scene? Why is there a certain justice in the fact that young Fortinbras steps in at the end to take over the throne of Denmark?
2. Key Theme: Death (see V.i., especially "Alas, poor Yorick!" speech, lines 195-207)

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