Should Hamlet win, Claudius is prepared with celebratory poisoned wine. Hearing that Hamlet has arrived back in Denmark against his wishes, Claudius attempts to use Laertes as a means to his demise by arranging a fencing match where Laertes will use a poison Madness as her brother Laertes arrives back in Denmark enraged at his sister's condition and his father's death. Claudius demands that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern accompany his nephew to England for his immediate execution. Gertrude cannot see her departed husband's ghostĪnd believes her son to be insane. When he makes a noise, Hamlet thinks it is Claudius and stabs Polonius to death.įollowing his error, Hamlet berates his mother for believing Claudius, only to be reprimanded by the ghost of his father for his cruelty. Gertrude and Hamlet have a bitter altercation, during which Polonius is hiding in theĬorner and startled to hear Hamlet's accusations. During his prayer Hamlet has the opportunity to kill himīut cannot, believing the killing Claudius during his prayer would send him to heaven instead of hell. Claudius meanwhile, debates repenting his guilt whilst praying. Claudius arises during the scene of the poisoning which to Hamlet proves his guilt.įollowing the play, Hamlet's mother Gertrude demands an explanation. It tells the story of Claudius poisoning King Hamlet. He accuses Ophelia of immodesty and assembles the court to Hamlet senses his friends have been sent as spies and is resentful. Guildenstern to get to the bottom of his strange behavior.

Sensing Hamlet's unease and hearing complaints of Hamlet's erratic behavior towards Ophelia, King Claudius and his new wife Gertrude solicit help from two of his friends, Rosencrantz and Though still uncertain about the validity of his father's ghostly apparition, Hamlet vows to Him out only to get the confirmation that he has been called upon to avenge King Hamlet's death. Hamlet is determined to see his father's ghost for himself and seeks Making matters more complicated is the young Ophelia who seeks Hamlet's attention. Hamlet is fraught with grief and anxiety. After Hamlet's sentries and his friend Horatio encounter the ghost of King Hamlet, they vow to tell his son what they have witnessed. Claudius murdered his brother, Hamlet's father, in order to seize the throne and also married The play is set in Denmark and follows the prince Hamlet, who seeks revenge upon his uncle Claudius. Lines from Hamlet's monologue in act three that begin 'To be, or not to be.' have been studied and are widely known even amongst those that are otherwise unfamiliar with Shakespeare's work.Įven in Shakespeare's own lifetime, Hamlet would have been performed multiple times and considered remarkably influential. It is arguably one of his most famous tragedies. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, usually shortened to just Hamlet, was written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599-1602.

Hamlet movie