By William Shakespeare

Hamlet

What do you Already know?

Prince Hamlet – about 18 years old, Heir to the throne of Denmark

King Claudius – King of Denmark, Hamlet’s Uncle

Queen Gertrude – Hamlet’s motherPolonius – Lord Chamberlain, Ophelia and

Laertes’ FatherOphelia – Hamlet’s girlfriendLaertes – Ophelia’s older brother and

Hamlet’s friendHoratio – Hamlet’s friend

Main Characters

Act IWhere we meet the characters and learn about the murder!

The Ghost!A bunch of guards and Horatio (Hamlet’s best

friend)

Act 1 – Scene 1

The King’s Speech (Claudius – Hamlet’s Uncle)A discussion of Hamlet’s mourningWhether or not he should return to

schoolHamlet’s veiled responseHamlet’s soliloquy – a main theme!Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost…

Act 1 – Scene 2

Polonius’ House (Ophelia and Laertes’ Father)Laertes speaks to Ophelia about

HamletFatherly advice to Laertes about

going off to schoolPolonius forbids Ophelia to

associate with Hamlet

Act 1 – Scene 3

Up on the Castle (waiting for the Ghost)

Hamlet sees the ghost and goes running after it!

Act 1 – Scene 4

Hamlet and the Ghost

The ghost tells Hamlet that he was murdered!

He also asks to be avengedAt dawn, he disappears, and

Hamlet makes his men swear on his sword not to reveal what they have seen this night.

Act 1 – Scene 5

Act IIThe Madness of Prince Hamlet

Polonius and Ophelia

Ophelia tells Polonius how Hamlet is freaking out.

Polonius decides it is because she refused his love.

He runs off to tell Claudius.

Act II – Scene 1

The “Fishmonger” Scene

We meet Rosencrantz and GuildensternPolonius tells Claudius about Hamlet’s

madnessThey devise a plan to confront Hamlet with

Ophelia and to see how he reacts.Polonius catches up with Hamlet in the Library

and they talk – Hamlet acts crazy, but with lots of wit.

Hamlet meets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.The actors arrive!

Act II – Scene 2

Act IIIThings start to get really EMO…

“To be, or not to be…”Claudius, Gertrude, Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern all discuss Hamlet’s madness.The decide to invite the actors in to see if that

helps.Hamlet walks in contemplating his own death.He sees Ophelia and she tries to give him back

his things.Claudius and Polonius emerge from behind a

tapestry and agree that he is losing it.

Act III – Scene 1

The Play within a Play

Hamlet councils the actors on how to actHamlet sits near the king and explains what is

happening during the playHamlet teases Ophelia with sexual referencesClaudius freaks out when he sees the play!Hamlet rejoices. Gertrude is disgusted.

Act III – Scene 2

The Praying King

Claudius tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England immediately

He then goes to prayHamlet comes across him and comes very close

to killing him…But it occurs to him if he stabs him while he is

praying – he may go to heaven.

Act III – Scene 3

Gertrude’s Chambers – The Incest Scene

Polonius hides in the Queen’s chambers to overhear their conversation.

Gertrude confronts Hamlet about his behaviour toward her now husband.

Hamlet explodes – and Gertrude yells out in fear.Polonius cries out, Hamlet is so angry – he stabs

whoever is behind the tapestry (hoping it is the King!)

The Ghost appears (only to Hamlet) and reminds him of his mission.

Act III – Scene 4

Act IVOphelia goes a little nuts…

Somewhere in the Castle

Claudius is conferring with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Gertrude enters and tells Claudius what happened.

Claudius realizes that Hamlet means to kill him.

Act IV – Scene 1

Elsewhere in the Castle

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find Hamlet.Hamlet realizes quickly that his two friends are

loyal to the King.

Act IV – Scene 2

The Worm Eating SceneClaudius asks Hamlet where Polonius’ body

is…Hamlet continues to act slightly crazy and

hostile towards his Uncle.In an aside – Claudius admits his plan to have

Hamlet killed in England.

Act IV – Scene 3

A Field in Denmark

Hamlet, with his armed escort, runs into Fortinbras (a Captain from the Norwegian army)

Hamlet is surprised so many people would die for something so insignificant.

In conclusion, Hamlet realizes he has been avoiding his goal – and he decides to be more “bloody.”

Act IV – Scene 4

The Madness of Ophelia

Gertrude and Claudius discuss Ophelia – who has kind of gone crazy since Hamlet killed Polonius.

She enters and sings…Laertes enters (sailed home) with a mob and

sees Ophelia.Claudius informs Laertes that Hamlet is to

blame.

Act IV – Scene 5

The Escape

Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet who describes his escape from the ship – and what he did to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!

Act IV - Scene 6

The Plan

Claudius explains to Laertes what happened and why he sent Hamlet to England.

A messenger comes in a tells them Hamlet will return the following day…Laertes is happy he will have his revenge.

Claudius manipulates Laertes into killing Hamlet for him – with a poisoned blade during a duel.

If that does not work – Claudius will poison him.

Gertrude enters and tells them about Ophelia’s suicide.

Act IV – Scene 7

Act VThe Great Duel!

The “Grave” Scene

Horatio and Hamlet approach the castle, they see the gravediggers and a ridiculous conversation ensues.

“Oh Yoric, I knew him well…”The funeral procession for Ophelia arrivesHamlet realizes it is Ophelia – Laertes jumps

into the grave and Hamlet joins him.They fight – and the duel is set.

Act V – Scene 1

The Duel

In preparation, Hamlet tells Horatio about how he killed off Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Hamlet and Laertes begin their duel – Hamlet scores first and Claudius rises, offering toast for the fighters and a pearl for the winner (it’s poison!)

They continue to fight – but Gertrude gets up and drinks from the cup!

During the fight, they manage to exchange swords – both are cut.

Act V – Scene 2

The Queen dies – Laertes dies and explains what the king has done.

Hamlet kills the King and then dies himself.Fortinbras enters and Hamlet is given a

soldiers funeral.

Act V – Scene 2

The End