Download - William Shakespeare’s Hamlet : an overview
Sources
• Ur-Hamlet, a lost play, 1588, possibly by Thomas Kyd.
• Derived from Francois Belleforest’s Histoires Traqiques, 1580.
• Originally a 9th century Icelandic saga.
Act 1, Scene 1
• Guards notice the Ghost of the late King of Denmark.
• The discuss how ominous this is due to impending war with Norway.
• Ghost departs.• The guards plant to
inform Prince Hamlet.
Act 1, Scene 2
• Claudius, current King of Denmark, talks of his brother’s death and his marriage to Queen Gertrude.
• Remarks on invasion from Prince Fortinbras of Norway (without knowledge of King of Norway).
• He sends letter to Norway asking for restraint.
Continued.
• Laertes, Polonius’s son, returns to study in France.
• King and Queen urge Hamlet to stop mourning.
• Hamlet wishes to study in Wittenberg but is denied.
• Hamlet talks about his mother’s hasty marriage.
• Guards tell Hamlet about Ghost.
Act 1, Scene 3
• Laertes, leaving for France, warns his sister, Ophelia, about Hamlet’s affections.
• Polonius rants and forbids Ophelia from seeing Hamlet.
Act 1, Scene 5
• The Ghost tells Hamlet about his murder by Claudius; demands revenge.
• Hamlet vows to do this.• Horatio and Marcellus
appear; Hamlet swears them to secrecy, tells them that he will pretend madness.
Act 2, Scene 1
• King and Queen welcome Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet’s peers; asks them to spy on Hamlet.
• News from King of Norway arrives; Fortinbras redirected to Poland.
• Polonius shows confiscated letter, declares Hamlet lovesick.
Continued.
• Hamlet appears, speaks wildly; drives away Polonius, gets peers to admit their spying.
• Players arrive.• Hamlet instructs them
to perform The Murder of Gonzago with his added lines -- to verify Claudius’s guilt.
Act 3, Scene 1
• Ophelia meets Hamlet while Claudius and Polonius eavesdrop.
• Hamlet rails against her and all women.
• Claudius tells Polonius of his intent to send Hamlet to England.
• Polonius suggests further spying on Hamlet, after play’s performance.
Act 3, Scene 2
• Hamlet lectures players.• Players perform.• Claudius angrily leaves.• Queen summons
Hamlet.• He reminds himself not
to harm her despite his anger.
Act 3, Scene 3
• Polonius agrees to spy on Hamlet.
• Claudius attempts to pray but cannot.
• Hamlet wants to kill him but doesn’t because he is praying -- he wants to ensure Claudius’s soul goes to hell.
Act 3, Scene 4
• Polonius hides.• Hamlet encounters his
mother, Queen.• Hamlet kills Polonius.• Hamlet condemns
Queen.• Ghost appears, reminds
Hamlet of his duty.• Hamlet scolds his
mother, drags away Polonius.
Act 4, Scenes 1 & 2
• Scene 2:• They confront
Hamlet. • He makes fun of
them but accompanies them to the King.
• Scene 1:• Queen tells Claudius
that Hamlet has killed Polonius.
• King sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find the body.
Act 4, Scene 3
• King tells lords that Hamlet is dangerous.
• Hamlet tells them where the body is.
• King sends Hamlet to England “for his safety” but has letters that will ensure his death.
Act 4, Scene 4
• Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern encounter captain from Fortinbras’s army.
• They commiserate on wasted lives over inconsequential things.
• Hamlet vows to think only bloody thoughts.
Act 4, Scene 5
• Queen is informed that Ophelia has lost her mind, singing about deaths and funerals.
• Laertes has raised a rebellion, demanding revenge on Hamlet.
• King assures Laertes and plots revenge on Hamlet.
Act 4, Scene 6
• Sailor brings Horatio letter from Hamlet.
• Letters tells of Hamlet’s capture by pirates.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern continue to England.
• Horatio goes after Hamlet.
Act 4, Scene 7
• King and Laertes plot for duel with differing swords and a poisoned cup.
• Queen announces that Ophelia has drowned.
• Laertes collapses.
Act 5, Scene 1
• Grave-diggers, then Hamlet, discuss death.
• Hamlet muses on Yorick’s skull.
• Ophelia’s funeral procession passes by.
• Hamlet rages against Laertes but leaves.
• King assures Laertes of his revenge.
Act 5, Scene 2
• Hamlet tells Horatio of rewriting the letter, ensuring death to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
• Osric arrives with request to fence Laertes.
Continued.
• Hamlet tells Horatio that he’s prepared to die.
• The match begins; King and Queen toast Hamlet’s first successful round.
Continued
• Hamlet does not drink.
• Queen drinks despite Claudius’s warnings.
• Laertes wounds Hamlet with poisoned sword.
Continued
• Fencers accidentally exchange swords.
• Hamlet wounds Laertes.
• Queen falls and dies.
• Laertes reveals King’s plot
Continued
• Hamlet wounds King, forces him to drink poison.
• Hamlet and Laertes forgive each other.• Laertes dies.• Claudius dies.• Fortinbras arrives, Hamlet names him his
successor.• Hamlet dies.• Everyone…dies.
Things to ponder
• “Problem play”• Theatrical history• Verse vs. Prose• Deception• Nature and order• Heroism