In the dark, cold night, a ghost appears on the castle’s walls. It’s the ghost of King Hamlet. He looks sad and serious. Then, he tells his son, Prince Hamlet, a secret: he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius. Now, Claudius is the new king. Consequently, the ghost asks Prince Hamlet to take revenge. Hamlet By William Shakespeare
Introduction:
Hamlet is a famous play written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet. Notably, he wrote “Hamlet” around the year 1600. This play is a tragedy and is set in Denmark. The story is about Prince Hamlet, who is very sad and angry because his father, the king, has died. Soon, he learns that his father was killed by his uncle Claudius, who is now the king. Consequently, the play is about Hamlet’s quest to uncover the truth and take revenge.
List of Major Characters in Hamlet:
Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark, the main character.
Claudius: Hamlet’s uncle, the new king.
Gertrude: Hamlet’s mother, the queen.
The Ghost: The spirit of King Hamlet, Hamlet’s father.
Ophelia: A young woman who loves Hamlet.
Polonius: Ophelia’s father, the king’s advisor.
Laertes: Ophelia’s brother.
Horatio: Hamlet’s best friend.
Summary of Hamlet By William Shakespeare:
The play begins with the ghost of King Hamlet appearing. The ghost tells Prince Hamlet that Claudius, who is now the king, murdered him. Besides, Claudius married Queen Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, soon after the king’s death. So, Hamlet feels very upset and angry. Because of this, he decides to pretend to be crazy so he can find out the truth without anyone suspecting him.
Hamlet struggles with his feelings and thoughts. He feels sad, angry, and confused. Even though he loves Ophelia, he starts treating her badly because he is so upset. In turn, Ophelia feels very sad and confused by Hamlet’s behavior.
To confirm the ghost’s story, Hamlet arranges for a group of actors to perform a play. Specifically, the play shows a scene very similar to King Hamlet’s murder. Claudius’s reaction to the play confirms he is guilty. Therefore, Hamlet feels sure that Claudius killed his father.
Next, Hamlet goes to talk to his mother, Queen Gertrude, in her room. Meanwhile, Polonius, Ophelia’s father, hides behind a curtain, spying on them. Hamlet hears a noise and thinks it’s Claudius. Thus, he stabs through the curtain and kills Polonius by mistake.
Afterward, Claudius sends Hamlet to England, hoping he will be killed there. However, Hamlet escapes and returns to Denmark. Meanwhile, Ophelia goes mad with grief over her father’s death and drowns. Subsequently, Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, returns from France, angry and wanting revenge for his father’s and sister’s deaths.
Planning:
Planning carefully, Claudius and Laertes plan to kill Hamlet. They arrange a fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes. During the match, Laertes uses a sword with poison on it. As they fight, both Hamlet and Laertes get wounded with the poisoned sword. Additionally, Queen Gertrude accidentally drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet and dies.
Before he dies, Hamlet kills Claudius. He asks his friend Horatio to tell his story to the world. Finally, with his last breath, Hamlet names Prince Fortinbras of Norway as the next king of Denmark. The play ends with Fortinbras taking control of Denmark and ordering a respectful burial for Hamlet.
Themes: Hamlet By William Shakespeare
Revenge
Revenge is central to “Hamlet.” The play begins with the ghost of King Hamlet telling Prince Hamlet to avenge his murder. Consequently, Hamlet’s journey is driven by this demand for revenge. He grapples with the morality of taking revenge and the consequences it may bring. Throughout the play, Hamlet’s pursuit of vengeance causes a chain reaction of events. Eventually, it leads to the downfall of nearly every character involved. Thus, this theme shows the destructive nature of revenge and how it consumes the avenger. Additionally, it demonstrates how a single act of vengeance can spiral out of control.
Madness
Madness is a recurring theme in “Hamlet by William Shakespeare” First, Hamlet pretends to be mad to hide his true intentions and to buy time as he plans his revenge. However, as the play progresses, it becomes unclear whether Hamlet’s madness is entirely an act or if he is genuinely descending into insanity. On the other hand, Ophelia becomes truly mad after the death of her father, Polonius, and Hamlet’s harsh treatment. Her madness starkly contrasts with Hamlet’s feigned insanity. This contrast highlights the impact of grief and trauma on mental health.
Death
Death is a pervasive theme in “Hamlet by William Shakespeare” The play opens with a ghost and ends with a pile of corpses. Moreover, Hamlet is obsessed with the idea of death. This obsession is evident in his famous “To be, or not to be” soliloquy, where he contemplates the nature of existence and the afterlife. The graveyard scene further explores this theme. There, Hamlet reflects on the inevitability of death and the equality it brings, regardless of one’s status in life. Therefore, the play examines death from multiple angles: the physical reality of death, the fear of the unknown after death, and the moral implications of killing.
Corruption
Corruption is a significant theme in “Hamlet by William Shakespeare” The play depicts a kingdom rotting from the inside, starting with the corrupt act of regicide committed by Claudius. This act sets off a series of corrupt actions, including lies, spying, and manipulation. Claudius’s ascent to the throne is built on deceit and murder. This ascent corrupts the moral fabric of the court. Consequently, Hamlet often refers to the physical and moral decay within Denmark, famously stating, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” This theme highlights how corruption at the top trickles down and affects everyone in the kingdom.
Betrayal
Betrayal is a key theme in “Hamlet by William Shakespeare” Hamlet feels betrayed by those closest to him: his mother, Gertrude, who quickly marries Claudius after the king’s death, and his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who spy on him for Claudius. Additionally, Ophelia betrays Hamlet by obeying her father’s orders to distance herself from him and to spy on him. Consequently, these acts of betrayal contribute to Hamlet’s growing distrust and isolation. Thus, the theme of betrayal underscores the fragile nature of trust and loyalty and how betrayal can lead to tragic consequences.
Major Character Analysis in Hamlet By William Shakespeare
Hamlet
Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark and the main character in the play. He thinks deeply and often gets lost in his own thoughts. Hamlet is very smart and can feel strong emotions. However, he tends to overthink and worries a lot about doing the right thing. This makes it hard for him to make decisions. He struggles between wanting revenge and following his own moral beliefs. This creates a character who is torn between taking action and doing nothing.
Claudius
Claudius is the new king of Denmark and Hamlet’s uncle. He is the main villain in the play. Claudius is sneaky and manipulative. He kills his brother, King Hamlet, to become king. Although he sometimes feels guilty, Claudius mostly cares about keeping his power. His actions cause a lot of the problems in the play. He shows how corruption can affect everyone around him.
Gertrude
Gertrude is Hamlet’s mother and the queen of Denmark. She marries Claudius quickly after her husband’s death, which upsets Hamlet. While her actions might seem selfish, Gertrude is a complex character. She seems to love her son, but she also wants to feel safe and keep her status. Her motivations are not always clear.
Ophelia
Ophelia is a young noblewoman who loves Hamlet. She always listens to her father, Polonius, and her brother, Laertes. This obedience leads to her downfall. Ophelia’s madness and death show the themes of madness and the effects of manipulation and control in the play.
Polonius
Polonius is the king’s advisor and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is nosy and often meddles in other people’s business, which causes problems. Hamlet kills Polonius, which is a key moment in the play. This event leads to more tragedy.
Laertes
Laertes is Ophelia’s brother and Polonius’s son. He is quick-tempered and seeks immediate revenge for the deaths of his father and sister. Laertes’s actions are similar to Hamlet’s quest for revenge, but he takes direct action instead of hesitating.
Horatio
Horatio is Hamlet’s loyal friend. He supports Hamlet throughout the play. Horatio survives at the end and tells Hamlet’s story. This highlights the importance of loyalty and friendship during chaotic times.
Critical View:
“Hamlet” is considered one of the greatest plays ever written. It explores deep and complex themes such as revenge, madness, and death. Shakespeare’s use of language is powerful and poetic. The character of Hamlet is one of the most intriguing and studied characters in literature. His soliloquies, especially the famous “To be, or not to be,” reveal his inner thoughts and struggles.
Conclusion:
“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare is a tragic story of a young prince seeking revenge for his father’s murder. It is a tale of madness, corruption, and betrayal. The characters are complex and the themes are timeless. Despite the tragic ending, the play leaves a lasting impact on the audience. It remains a masterpiece of English literature, showcasing Shakespeare’s genius in storytelling and character development.