Summmary

The Tragedy of Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespearehe play is set in the Kingdom of Denmark, where Hamlet prince of Denmark exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius  for murdering the old, King Hamlet Claudius's own brother and Prince Hamlet's father, and then succeeding to the throne and marrying Gertrude, the King Hamlet's widow and mother of Prince Hamlet. King Claudius fearing Young Fortinbras of Norway may invade, has sent ambassadors to Norway to urge the King of Norway to restrain Young Fortinbras. Young Hamlet distrusts King Claudius. The King and Queen do not understand why Hamlet still mourns his father's death over two months ago. In his first soliloquy, Hamlet explains that he does not like his mother marrying the next King of Denmark so quickly within a month of his father's death.Laertes, the son of Lord Chamberlain Polonius, gives his sister Ophelia some brotherly advice. He warns Ophelia not to fall in love with Young Hamlet; she will only be hurt. Polonius tells his daughter Ophelia not to return Hamlet's affections for her since he fears Hamlet is only using her.Hamlet meets the Ghost of his father, King Hamlet and follows it to learn moreHamlet learns from King Hamlet's Ghost that he was poisoned by King Claudius, the current ruler of Denmark. The Ghost tells Hamlet to avenge his death but not to punish Queen Gertrude for remarrying; it is not Hamlet's place and her conscience and heaven will judge her. Hamlet swears Horatio and Marcellus to silence over Hamlet meeting the Ghost. Polonius learns from his daughter Ophelia that a badly dressed Hamlet met her, studied her face and promptly left. Polonius believes that Hamlet's odd behavior is because Ophelia has rejected him. Polonius decides to tell King Claudius the reason for Hamlet's recently odd behavior.King Claudius instructs courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out what is causing Hamlet's strange behavior. Queen Gertrude reveals that only King Hamlet's death and her recent remarriage could be upsetting Hamlet. In hamlet's grief he soon hatches a plan to reveal King Claudius's crime by changeing some lines in the play "The Murder of Gonzago."It  is performed, causing King Claudius to react in a way which convinces Hamlet that his uncle did indeed poison his father. In anger Hamlet kills Polonius.When the King hears of Polonius's death he becomes terrified of Hamlet,and with the excuse that Hamlet has gone "mad" he is sent to England. When he returnshe discovers  Ophelia's burial where, the Priest reveals a widely held belief that Ophelia committed suicide. Hamlet fights Laertes over Ophelia's grave, angered by Laertes exaggerated emphasis of his sorrow and because he believes he loved Ophelia much more than her brother.Hamlet explains to Horatio how he avoided the death planned for him in England and had courtiers' Rosencrantz and Guildenstern put to death instead. Hamlet reveals his desire to kill King Claudius. Summoned by Osric to fence against Laertes, Hamlet arrives at a hall in the castle and fights Laertes. Queen Gertrude drinks a poisoned cup meant for Hamlet, dying but not before telling all that she has been poisoned. Hamlet wins the first two rounds against Laertes but is stabbed and poisoned fatally in the third round. Exchanging swords whilst fighting, Hamlet wounds and poisons Laertes who explains that his sword is poison tipped.Now dying, Hamlet stabs King Claudius with this same sword, killing him. Hamlet, dying, tells Horatio to tell his story and not to commit suicide. Hamlet recommends Young Fortinbras as the next King of Denmark. Young Fortinbras arrives, cleaning up the massacre. Horatio promises to tell all the story we have just witnessed, ending the play.