Hamlet
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Act I.
Shakespeares longest play and the play responsible for the immortal lines “To be or not to be: that is the question:” and the advise “to thine own self be true,” begins in Denmark with the news that King Hamlet of Denmark has recently died.
Denmark is now in a state of high alert and preparing for possible war with Young Fortinbras of Norway. A ghost resembling the late King Hamlet is spotted on a platform before Elsinore Castle in Denmark. King Claudius, who now rules Denmark, has taken King Hamlets wife, Queen Gertrude as his new wife and Queen of Denmark.
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 fathers 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 fathers 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 Hamlets 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 more…
Hamlet learns from King Hamlets 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 Hamlets place and her conscience and heaven will judge her… Hamlet swears Horatio and Marcellus to silence over Hamlet meeting the Ghost.
Act II.
Polonius tells Reynaldo to spy on his son Laertes in Paris. Polonius learns from his daughter Ophelia that a badly dressed Hamlet met her, studied her face and promptly left. Polonius believes that Hamlets odd behavior is because Ophelia has rejected him. Polonius decides to tell King Claudius the reason for Hamlets recently odd behavior.
King Claudius instructs courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out what is causing Hamlets strange “transformation,” or change of character. Queen Gertrude reveals that only King Hamlets death and her recent remarriage could be upsetting Hamlet.
We learn more of Young Fortinbras movements and Polonius has his own theory about Hamlets transformation; it is caused by Hamlets love for his daughter Ophelia. Hamlet makes his famous speech about the greatness of man. Hamlet plans to use a play to test if King Claudius really did kill his father as King Hamlets Ghost told him…
Act III.
The Kings spies, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to King Claudius on Hamlets behavior. Hamlet is eager for King Claudius and Queen Gertrude to watch a play tonight which Hamlet has added lines to.
King Claudius and Polonius listen in on Hamlets and Ophelias private conversation. Hamlet suspects Ophelia is spying on him and is increasingly hostile to her before leaving.
King Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England, fearing danger in Hamlet since he no longer believes Hamlet is merely lovesick. The King agrees to Polonius plan to eavesdrop on Hamlets conversation with his mother after the play to hopefully learn more from Hamlet. The play Hamlet had added lines to is performed. The mime preceding the play which mimics the Ghosts description of King Hamlets death goes unnoticed.
The main play called “The Murder of Gonzago” is performed, causing King Claudius to react in a way which convinces Hamlet that his uncle did indeed poison his father King Hamlet as the Ghost previously had told him… Hamlet pretends not to know that the play has offended King Claudius. Hamlet agrees to speak with his mother in private…
King Claudius admits his growing fear of Hamlet and decides to send him overseas to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in order to protect himself. Alone, King Claudius reveals in soliloquy his own knowledge of the crime he has committed (poisoning King Hamlet) and realizes that he cannot escape divine justice…
Queen Gertrude attempts to scold her son but Hamlet instead scolds his mother for her actions. Queen Gertrude cries out in fear, and Polonius echoes it and is stabbed through the arras (subdivision of a room created by a hanging tapestry) where he was listening in.