Important Character List:
King Hamlet-The original king of Denmark, who we find out was murdered by his brother, Claudius. He was originally married to Gertrude and was the father of Prince Hamlet. In the play, he appears several times as a ghost.
Gertrude-The mother of Hamlet, the former wife of King Hamlet, and the current wife of Claudius. She married Claudius after Claudius had poisoned King Hamlet. She loves Hamlet, but cares little for what is moral.
Claudius-The king of Denmark who married Gertrude after his brother’s death. Throughout the play, he is portrayed as one who is driven by sexual desires and a lust for power, although he displayed guilt a few times during the play.
Prince Hamlet-Son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. Throughout the play, we see him as a very depressed person who reflects upon various questions pertaining to death.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern-Two former friends of Prince Hamlet who used to go to Wittenberg with him that were summoned by Claudius to determine why Hamlet was so depressed.
Polonius-He was the Lord Chamberlain in Claudius’ court and the father of Laertes and Ophelia.
Laertes-The son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia. He is considered to be a “foil” character of Hamlet. He also seems to care a lot for Ophelia. He spends most of the play in France, but returns to duel with Hamlet at the very end of the play.
Ophelia-She is Polonius’ daughter. Hamlet was in love with her. She seems to obey her father and brother throughout the play. Towards the end of the play, she becomes mad after learning of her father’s passing.
Horatio-He was Hamlet’s close friend from Wittenberg who is loyal to Hamlet throughout the play. He tells Hamlet’s story after Hamlet dies.
Young Fortinbras-He was the Prince of Norway. His father was killed by King Hamlet, and Fortinbras wants to attack Denmark to avenge for this death. He can be considered a “foil” character for Hamlet.
Act 1 Sc. 1
Summary
The play is set in Denmark, and begins with an officer named Barnardo, who takes over the watch position of his fellow watchman Francisco. Marcellus and Horatio join Barnardo, and Barnardo mentions his spotting of a ghost to his fellows, and suddenly what they think is the ghost of the recently deceased King Hamlet appears before them. Horatio attempts to talk to the ghost, but the ghost does not respond, so the three decide to tell Prince Hamlet of their encounter with the ghost.
Analysis
Ghosts have been interpreted to have many symbolic meanings. There are those who say that ghosts can be characterized as an omen, and those that say that a ghost is a sign of something that can not be obtained. Following the latter belief, the ghost of King Hamlet is a sign for the kingship that Prince Hamlet attempts to obtain but never succeeds in getting. Others say that when someone is a ghost it is because they are in purgatory for some reason, typically because they have not fully repented for their sins. There are those who say that when someone is a ghost it is a sign that the balance of nature has been upset and they must in some way help to restore the balance.
Act 1 Sc. 2
Summary
The next morning (following the ghost-sighting), King Claudius addresses his kingdom. He tells them that he has married Gertrude, and that the happiness that he has received from this marriage balances out the mourning and his feeling of loss for his brother. He also tells of the letter from Fortinbras, in which Fortinbras demands to receive the lands that King Hamlet had conquered from Fortinbras’ father.
The scene then shifts to Laertes, Polonius’ son, who wants to return to France. Polonius and Claudius both agree to this. Right after, Claudius and Gertrude address Hamlet. They ask him why he is still in a state of mourning, as the death of one’s father is a natural occurrence, and that mourning for too long is unmanly. Claudius also tells Hamlet to look at him as a fatherly figure, also mentioning that he will inherit the throne when Claudius passes away.
Although Hamlet desires to go back, neither Claudius nor Gertrude think that it would be beneficial for Hamlet to go back to school in Wittenberg, where he had been studying before. When Claudius and Gertrude leave the room, Hamlet remains alone. He bursts out to himself, saying that he no longer wishes to live. During his soliloquy, he talks about how he wishes that suicide was not a sin and how he continues to mourn the death of his father. He also portrays his displeasure with his mother for re-marrying so shortly after his father’s passing, considering that his father and mother seemed to be madly in love with one another. While he is talking, Horatio (who happens to have known Hamlet from Wittenberg), Marcellus, and Bernardo enter the room and tell Hamlet about their ghost-sighting, mentioning that the ghost looked like his father. The four then agree that Hamlet will stand watch with them that night so that they can show him the ghost.
Analysis
There are two questions to ask at the beginning of this scene:
1. Firstly why is Cladius king instead of Prince Hamlet?
2. Why is Cladius marrying Gertrude, his late brother’s wife?
The answer to the first question is that Prince Hamlet was in Wittenberg when his father passed away so the only male family member that was in Denmark became king. To answer the second question Cladius marries Gertrude the widowed queen to ensure that he is king. Even if Hamlet came back and wanted to claim the throne now that Cladius married the queen Cladius is ensured the kingship over Hamlet.
The next thing to question in the scene is why are Cladius and Gertrude urging to get out of a state of mourning even though morning after one’s father’s death is natural, and why Cladius tells Hamlet to look at him as a fatherly figure? The reason that Cladius is urging Hamlet to get out of mourning is because he doesn’t want Hamlet to begin to look into the death and discover that it was actually a murder committed by Cladius.
Hamlet now gives the first of several soliloquies that allude to his urge of suicide. This can follow the theme that Hamlet may be in fact crazy, or mad.
Act 1 Sc. 3
Summary
Laertes prepares for his departure. As he is leaving, he warns his sister, Ophelia against falling in love with Hamlet, since they may not be able to get married because of the discrepancy between the social status of Ophelia and Hamlet. Ophelia seems to internalize what Laertes says. Next, Laertes speaks with his father, who gives him advice on how to act once in France. This includes a range of tips, such as not to borrow or lend money, to dress richly, but not arrogantly, etc.
After Laertes has departed, Polonius asks Ophelia what Laertes had told her. She explains that it had something to do with Hamlet’s love for her, after which Polonius forbids her to have anything to do with Hamlet. Ophelia promises that she will follow his word.
Analysis
This scene shows the bond that Laertes, Ophelia, and Polonius all have. They appear to be a very open family that will tell one another anything and everything in order to get one to realize their mistakes or to help them contemplate their actions. If you look at the scene you can see that they are basically saying to one another “don’t be stupid!” Not only is their family dynamic apparent here but it can also be seen that Ophelia still acts like a child in that she will do whatever her father tells her to do.
Act 1 Sc. 4
Summary
Hamlet is standing watch with Horatio and Marcellus. The three hear loud noises emanating from the party, which, Hamlet explains, is King Claudius’ drunken party. Hamlet criticizes Claudius for this sort of behavior, as it will make Denmark look bad. Suddenly, the ghost appears. Hamlet calls out to it, but it motions to Hamlet to follow. He threatens to kill Horatio and Marcellus, who were trying to hold him back from going. His threats work, and although he himself is not sure what the ghost was and who it was resembling, he felt that he did not care for his life any longer, and was willing to take the risk of finding out. Horatio and Marcellus agree that the appearance of this ghost predicts a very dark future for the kingdom of Denmark.
Analysis
There is some major symbolism that takes place in this scene. Firstly the fact that Hamlet follows the ghost into the woods; this can support the idea of Hamlet being mad since he doesn’t know what the ghost truly wants of him. The second theme that can be seen is the woods. Just like in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller the woods is a sign of evil the same applies to Hamlet. The reason there is this evil perception for the woods is because it is literally a dark and shady place making easy for evil to occur there.
Act 1 Sc. 5
Summary
Hamlet talks to the ghost, which claims to be the spirit of King Hamlet, Hamlet’s father. He tells Hamlet that he must avenge his (King Hamlet’s) death, since he was poisoned by Claudius and his death was not unnatural. He also tells Hamlet not to take revenge on his mother, but rather let her own guilt be her punishment. Hamlet swears to carry out what he has been told. The ghost disappears. Shortly after, Horatio and Marcellus catch up with Hamlet, but Hamlet, who is extremely shaken, refuses to tell them anything. He asks them not to reveal to anyone what they had seen that night and tells them to pretend that he is a madman.
Analysis
This is the first time that the ghost says anything in the play, but why. The answer is quite simple, even if it the ghost isn’t King Hamlet the ghost is still choosing Prince Hamlet to be its mercenary since Hamlet is in such a position that killing the king will not necessarily be the hardest of tasks. Hamlet agrees willingly which can again support this thee that Hamlet is mad since he doesn’t even know if the ghost is telling the truth about King Hamlet’s death/murder. This command for Hamlet can relate to the biblical saying (Lev. 24.20) “eye for eye, tooth for tooth;” where Hamlet now must murder his uncle, like his uncle murdered his dad.
Act 2 Sc. 1
Summary
Polonius sends Reynaldo, his servant, to France to give money and some notes to Laertes. He also ordered him to stay in France in order to spy on Laertes. After Reynaldo leaves, Ophelia comes to Polonius and tells him that Hamlet had come to her looking completely disheveled and wild and held her for a few minutes, looking into her eyes, but not saying a single word. Polonius believes that this madness probably came about because he had told Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet, and Hamlet was simply lovesick, and therefore constantly in a depressed mood. This idea that Ophelia just does what she is told appears here, it can since the family thinks she is immature and her brother and father feel the need to correct her and help her out.
Analysis
This is a very interesting soliloquy that Polonius gives here since it contains many mixed feelings. The commands that he gives Reynaldo have contradictory meanings since some of the commands are to smear Laertes’s name while other commands are to just spy on Laertes. This can relate to their family dynamic being very mixed in that if someone is doing something stupid they will out right just tells one another. The ongoing theme that Hamlet may in fact be crazy gains support from the description of Hamlet's actions in this scene. Not only does the reader see this theme but Polonius also sees this theme after what Hamlet did.
Act 2. Sc. 2
Summary
Claudius and Gertrude called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two of Hamlet’s friends from Wittenberg, to Denmark. Their purpose is to cheer Hamlet up and/or discover why he has been so depressed lately. They agree to the job.
Polonius announces the return of Voltimand and Cornelius, two ambassadors that were sent to Norway. They pass along the message of the King of Norway. The King of Norway was displeased with the fact that Fortinbras had attacked Denmark, and had given Fortinbras a large sum of money after he had promised not to attack Denmark. The King of Norway urged Fortinbras to attack the Poles instead of the Danes and wanted to know if Claudius would allow the troops to pass through Denmark. However, Claudius postpones the decision to this, and Voltimand and Cornelius leave.
Polonius then tells Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet is madly in love with Ophelia. He shows them various love letters that Hamlet had sent to her. Polonius tells the king and queen that he thinks it would be a good idea to spy on Hamlet to see how he acts around Ophelia, therefore enabling them to decide whether Hamlet’s madness is caused because of his love for Ophelia. Gertrude sees Hamlet, who is reading a book, approaching, and Polonius says that he will talk to him alone.
Polonius attempts to talk to Hamlet, but Hamlet responds in a way that a mad person would, answering irrationally to Polonius’ questions. However, Polonius notices that despite these replies, Hamlet’s statements are full of meaning. After he finished talking to Hamlet, he goes to arrange a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come over to Hamlet, who is delighted to see them. Hamlet asks why they have come to Denmark, to which they reply that they have simply come to visit him. However, Hamlet tells them that he is aware of the fact that Claudius and Gertrude had sent them to Denmark to watch over him. They admit that Hamlet is correct. He tells them that he is in a depressed state and that he finds no value to living or anything in life. Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that they can stay at Elsinore, but they should know the Claudius and Gertrude are convinced that he is mad.
Polonius then enters and tells Hamlet that the actors for the play that Hamlet will make have arrived. One of them gives a speech about the fall of Troy and the Trojan king and queen. Hamlet is very impressed, and tells them that they will partake in a play that he has made the next night. Hamlet is then left alone. During this time, Hamlet, who is in a very upset mood, formulates his plot to get his revenge on Claudius through the play.
Analysis
A new theme becomes apparent in this scene, betrayal. This theme did not just develop now, but rather there is a clear example of it in this scenes entrance. The betrayal is clear when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to spy on Hamlet. Another example of this betrayal is King Hamlet’s trust in Claudius which results in the king’s murder. A less obvious betrayal is Gertrude betraying King Hamlet’s love so quickly for Claudius’s instead.
When Polonius tells the king and queen that Hamlet is madly in love with Ophelia there is the suggestion to spy on Hamlet to see whether or not he is mad in love or just mad. Polonius’s idea that Hamlet is just mad is only supported when Hamlet makes reference to Polonius such as “fishmonger.” Although this may make it appear that Hamlet is just mad, it supports the idea that Hamlet is just acting mad in order to get what he wants, in this case a confused Polonius.
Hamlet’s conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern help to reveal yet another theme that exists though the play, death. To this point Hamlet has had two separate occasions where he has talked about his own death and a third occasion where he talked about his father’s death and the soon to be death of Cladius. This is not the end of this theme’s appearance rather in the next scene there is yet another.
The play choice that the actors reference is ironic since it is a very similar story to the death of King Hamlet and what is to come. Hamlet realizes this irony and decides that they will act out a play even more similar to his father’s death and that will cause Cladius to prove himself guilty.
Summary
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern discuss Hamlet’s behavior with Claudius and Gertrude, trying to figure out why he has been so depressed. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet is really excited about his upcoming play, and Claudius and Gertrude decide that they will support Hamlet by attending the play. Right after, Claudius makes everyone leave, and he begins to spy with Polonius on Hamlet’s interaction with Ophelia.
At this point in the play, Hamlet begins his famous soliloquy (“To be, or not to be: that is the question”). He asks whether committing suicide would really end his agony since no one is aware of what comes with death. During this soliloquy, Hamlet sees Ophelia coming. Ophelia (who was instructed by Polonius to approach Hamlet) tells Hamlet that she wants to return the “tokens of love” that he gave her. Hamlet denies that has ever given Ophelia anything, and claims that (1) he used to love her and that (2) he had never loved her. He continues talking about how women are dishonest, denouncing Ophelia and humankind as well.
Claudius and Polonius are both hiding. Claudius says that he does not think that Hamlet’s madness can be attributed to his love for Ophelia and that he does not talk as though he is insane. However, he feels that Hamlet’s depressed mood and suppressed feelings might continue to build up and will eventually turn into something dangerous. He proposes that Hamlet be sent back to England, thinking that this will help him overcome his current state. Polonius, however, still thinks that Hamlet’s behavior is a result of his love for Ophelia. He suggests that Claudius send Hamlet to Gertrude’s room after Hamlet’s play so that Polonius can again eavesdrop on Hamlet’s conversation. Claudius agrees to do so.
Analysis
This theme of death can be seen from some of the most well-known words of Shakespeare, “To be or not to be, that is the question.” It is in this soliloquy that Hamlet is considering death once again, almost as if he is weighing the two options, life or death, on a scale, really assessing them in depth. The fact of the matter is that Hamlet contemplates death by suicide but never says that he wants to commit suicide.
After the famous soliloquy Ophelia approaches Hamlet just like Polonius instructs which follows this idea from Act 2 Scene I where Ophelia is instructed to stay away from Hamlet and does so, since it was her father’s instruction.
During this conversation with Ophelia the theme of Hamlet’s madness becomes apparent since he basically says I used to love you yet I never loved you. These conclusions that Hamlet is making are words of a madmen yet Cladius does not think Hamlet is mad, rather depressed.
Act 3 Sc. 2
Summary
The act begins with Hamlet giving tips and advice to the actors who will perform his play. After Hamlet sends the actors to make final preparations, Horatio enters. Hamlet begins praising him for his various positive attributes, such as his self-control and reserve. Hamlet then tells Horatio to watch Claudius during the play and see if there are any traces of guilt that can be seen as he is watching Hamlet’s play. Horatio agrees to do so.
People begin entering the room in which the play will take place and Hamlet warns Horatio that he will be acting very strangely. When Claudius asks how Hamlet is doing, Hamlet gives a very strange response. After this, Hamlet talks with Polonius about Polonius’ experiences with acting in the past. He also refuses to sit next to his mother during the play, preferring to sit next to Ophelia and make various sexual puns.
Shortly after, the play begins with a king and queen who act very affectionately towards one another. Then, the queen leaves the king to sleep. While the king is sleeping, a murderer pours poison into the king’s ear, after which the murderer seduces the queen. When the murderer is pouring poison into the king’s ear, Claudius gets up and starts yelling, asking for someone to turn on the light. The lights are turned on and everyone runs out of the room.
The only two people left in the room after the chaos are Hamlet and Horatio. Both agree that Claudius’ behavior was suspicious. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter the room and tell Hamlet that his mother is calling for him. Polonius comes to escort Hamlet to Gertrude, but Hamlet asks for a moment alone. He decides that he will maintain his self control, but he will speak his mind completely through.
Analysis
Hamlet trusts Horatio his friend that he has not seen for some time right away. This is strange because one would think that after the betrayal from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Hamlet would not be so open to trust, but he just lets Horatio right in. Could it be that Hamlet was mad and did not think to consider who he trusts or is it that Horatio was a better friend then Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Hamlet knew without a doubt that he would never betray him? Then Horatio agrees, why would he agree to in essence help bring down the king? The only reason that would make sense is that Horatio really was the best friend Hamlet had and that Hamlet could really rely on him for anything.
Hamlets choice not to sit with his mom is quite interesting since he instead chooses to sit with Ophelia. He could be doing this to show hatred towards his mother and Cladius or to tease Ophelia. Even though Hamlet said he does not feel anything for Ophelia he probably had a very minor sense of attachment towards her and wanted to be with her. It could also be that Hamlet was mad and knew that Ophelia still had feeling for him so he wanted to be a jerk and tease her with his presence and make sexual puns to tease her with his intellect.
Polonius agrees to let Hamlet go to Gertrude on his own. Hamlet then contemplates how he is going to treat his mother. Why would he need to contemplate how to treat his mother, if she has not done anything wrong? Although it may not have been apparent until now, Hamlet realizes that his mother may have in fact known about the murder of King Hamlet and let it happen. Hamlet contemplates how to treat his mother since she probably was having an affair with Cladius before King Hamlets murder and that led to the two love birds (Cladius and Gertrude) wanting to be together at all costs, which means King Hamlets murder. This also explains the sudden remarriage that Gertrude had to Cladius, why else would it have happened so fast if she hadn’t been in love with him before. Again this theme of betrayal appears but this time not unto Prince Hamlet rather onto the deceased King Hamlet.
Act 3 Sc. 3
Summary
King Claudius speaks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern after the play. He tells them to immediately prepare to take a journey to England with Hamlet since Claudius is very worried that Hamlet's madness might turn into something a lot more dangerous. Polonius enters the King’s room and tells him that he will be eavesdropping on Hamlet’s conversation with the queen. After he leaves, Claudius begins to express his guilt for murdering his brother and begins to pray for forgiveness. While he is doing so, Hamlet sneaks into Claudius’ room with the intent of killing Claudius. However, when Hamlet sees Claudius praying, he decides not to kill him, choosing instead to kill Claudius when Claudius is involved in some form of sin so that he won’t go to heaven.
Analysis
This scene begs the question of why doesn’t Hamlet just kill Cladius when the chance? The answer is quite simple (Lev. 24.20) “eye for eye, tooth for tooth;” Hamlet has to get a murder that is equal to Cladius’s murder of King Hamlet. This means that now that Cladius has repented via prayer he is less likely to have to walk through purgatory like King Hamlet does. This is why Hamlet decides not to kill Cladius even though he has the chance. Now Hamlet will wait for the next time that Cladius makes a mistake to kill him.
Act 3 Sc. 4
Summary
Polonius and Gertrude wait for Hamlet’s arrival to Gertrude’s room. Polonius decides to hide behind the tapestry and tells Gertrude to be very harsh to Hamlet regarding his recent behavior. Hamlet finally arrives and Gertrude begins chastising him for offending Claudius. Hamlet responds by saying that Gertrude has offended King Hamlet (Hamlet’s father) by marrying Claudius. Gertrude becomes scared and cries for help, thinking that Hamlet will kill her. Then, Polonius begins crying out for help. Thinking that it was Claudius, Hamlet takes out his sword and stabs through the curtain and kills Polonius. Gertrude says that Hamlet’s action was a terrible sin, to which Hamlet replies that it is as terrible of a sin as murdering a king and marrying his brother. Hamlet discovers Polonius’ body and is annoyed that Polonius was trying to intrude on this entire situation. Hamlet then proceeds to show his mother various pictures of the dead King Hamlet, trying to show her that King Claudius is not nearly as amazing as King Hamlet. He asks Gertrude what drove her to marry Claudius. While Gertrude is confessing that what she has done is very bad, the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears, but Gertrude is unable to see it and thinks that Hamlet is insane. The ghost reminds Hamlet of his mission to seek revenge on Claudius. However, once the ghost leaves, Hamlet convinces Gertrude that he was faking his madness. Before he leaves the room, he takes Polonius’ body with him and tells his mother that he will be very suspicious of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern during his trip to England.
Analysis
Hamlets murder of Polonius is very interesting. If Hamlet was not ready to kill Cladius then why did he just go and stab the curtain to kill whoever was behind it? It could be that Hamlet was hoping for the man behind the curtain to be Cladius so that he was caught sinning and it would be a just murder for Hamlet. All of the predictions that were made previously have come true, Hamlet calls out his mom on marrying Cladius due to an affair and that there are so many reasons as to why she made a mistake in having the affair, just to rebuke her on her sins. Hamlets rebukes works, and this explains why at the end of the previous scene he chose to contemplate how to act with his mom. If Hamlet had choose to be any harsher then the rebuke would not have been as successful, but Hamlet planned it so well that it worked and his mother realized the affair was wrong, but she still leaves the marriage, without getting a divorce (if that is possible).
Act 4 Sc. 1
Summary
Gertrude goes to Claudius to tell him what had just happened with Hamlet, and says that he is mad and that he had just murdered Polonius. Claudius is very frightened by this, considering he could have been the one who was killed. He also worries about what this incident might do to Denmark’s reputation, as well as his own. Claudius then sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and go with him to England.
Analysis
There is one theme that is quite clear in this scene, betrayal. We see that Hamlet’s mother betrays him and tells Cladius of the murder that Hamlet just committed. She also admits to Cladius that Hamlet is mad, which can support the idea that Hamlet really is mad and the idea that Hamlet is faking the madness to get Cladius to react, just like with the play.
Act 4 Sc. 2
Summary
Hamlet finishes burying Polonius’ body. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet what he did with the body, but he does not give them a straightforward answer. Hamlet then accuses them of working as spies with Claudius. By the end of the scene, Hamlet agrees to go to Claudius with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Act 4 Sc. 3
Summary
Claudius announces to his subjects that Hamlet will be sent to England and tells them of Polonius’ death. When Hamlet arrives with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Claudius asks Hamlet to reveal where Polonius’ body is. After giving a cryptic response, Hamlet finally tells Claudius where he buried Polonius. Claudius then sends Hamlet off to England, telling Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to make sure that Hamlet boards the ship and to deliver a message to England, asking England to kill Hamlet.
Analysis (Scenes 2-3)
To add to Hamlet’s madness he buries the body and gives his “friends” a cryptic message to lead them to the body. This only makes his friends think he is crazy and will add to why Cladius thinks he is crazy. It is interesting that Cladius decides to let Hamlet live even though Hamlet just murdered Polonius. He is exiling him instead of killing something that was done in many stories in Greek mythology.
Act 4 Sc. 4
Summary
In Denmark, Prince Fortinbras marches to attack Poland. He meets Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern and tells them of his plans to attack the Poles. Hamlet asks Fortinbras why he is waging a war on Poland. Fortinbras responds that they are fighting over a small patch of land. Hamlet is surprised that human beings as a whole act so violently for such an insignificant reason. However, Hamlet takes this as a lesson, and promises himself that he will have bloody and gruesome thoughts in order to finally achieve his revenge on Claudius.
Analysis
Hamlet’s soliloquy represents his self-realization that he must accomplish his task of murdering Cladius and gaining revenge for his father at all costs, in other words the end justifies the means. He explains that he also realized that this task is not going to be easy since his mother is no longer supporting him and he was just shipped away (literally) and will not be able to get back easily to accomplish this task. This point also marks where Hamlet sees that just like the soldiers on the ship are going to fight for some meager amount of land and are putting his life on the line, so to he must do the same with killing Cladius and doing so without fear.
Act 4 Sc. 5
Summary
The play begins with Horatio and Gertrude discussing Ophelia. Although Gertrude does not want to see Ophelia, Horatio says that Ophelia has gone mad because of her grief and must therefore be pitied. Ophelia enters the room holding some flowers, looking and talking as though she is completely insane. Claudius enters and sees Ophelia. He says that she has gone mad and that Laertes has come from France. While they are all talking, they hear a loud noise emanating from somewhere in the castle. Some guards inform Claudius that Laertes has formed a mob of people who have joined his “force”. Laertes finally enters the room, extremely upset, looking to avenge Polonius’ death. Gertrude tries to convince Laertes that Hamlet is innocent. Meanwhile, Ophelia reeneters. Seeing his sister in a mad state infuriates Laertes even more. Claudius tells Laertes that he did not kill Polonius, and that he too is looking to seek revenge on the person who did.
Analysis
This scene marks a major turning point in the theme of madness that is that for once Hamlet is not being viewed as mad. In this scene it is Ophelia that appears to be going mad now that her father has passed away. She unlike Hamlet is quite vocal with her madness and is singing songs and giving away flowers (symbolism on Symbols page). This can act as a support to the fact that Hamlet only went mad because his father was murdered and that murdering of one’s father really does cause someone to go mad. The murder of one’s father also causes some form of betrayal and then subsequently another murder. The betrayal for Polonius’s murder is that Laraetes now wants to kill Hamlet, while the betrayal for King Hamlet’s murder was Cladius unto his brother and Hamlet’s urge to kill Cladius.
Act 4 Sc. 6
Summary
While Claudius is speaking to Laertes, Horatio receives a letter brought to him by two sailors. Horatio discovers that this letter is from Hamlet, who writes that he was captured by pirates who took him back to Denmark. He is requesting of Horatio that the two sailors who brought the letter be taken to the Claudius and Gertrude. He also tells him that he has some information that he would like to share about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. After taking the two sailors to the king and queen, Horatio leaves with the sailors to find Hamlet who is in the countryside near the castle.
Act 4 Sc. 7
Summary
Claudius and Laertes speak about Polonius’ death. Claudius tells Laertes that the reason he buried Polonius secretly was because he did not want to upset the common people (who loved Hamlet very much) or the queen. A messenger enters and tells Claudius that Hamlet has returned to Denmark. When he hears this, Laertes becomes very happy, as he will be able to avenge his father’s death sooner than he thought. Claudius supports Laertes desire to take revenge on Hamlet, since Hamlet’s death would mean that Hamlet would no longer pose a threat to Claudius’ reign. Claudius decides that Laertes will duel with Hamlet in a sword fight. Laertes, being a lot better than Hamlet, will most likely win and kill Hamlet, and it will not seem as though Claudius had planned for Hamlet to be killed. Laertes would also use a sharpened and poisoned sword, while Hamlet would use the traditional dull fencing sword. If Hamlet would somehow win the fight, Claudius would offer him a poisoned cup of wine in celebration. As they are talking, Gertrude enters and tells Claudius and Laertes that Ophelia has drowned in the river. Laertes runs out of the room and Claudius orders Gertrude to follow.
Analysis (Scenes 6-7)
The play would make one think that Hamlet was dead based on the letter that Horatio receives yet Shakespeare must have the show go on, so Hamlet manages to get back to the kingdom. The question to ask is how did Hamlet manage to get away from the pirates? The answer is that just like how Hamlet was able to talk circles around Polonius, an educated man, so to he must have been talking his way around the pirates until they agreed to bring him back.
Hamlets return only encourages this cycle of needing to seek revenge for the murder of family and the betrayal that goes with it. Laertes is excited by Hamlets return and is ready to seek his revenge. Since Laertes has an urge to kill Hamlet and Cladius’s plan to kill Hamlet failed, Cladius befriends Laertes to get him to do the dirty work while he can still remain innocent. Since Cladius arranges for this to be done via a battle then Cladius in essence will still be clean of his sins, and Hamlet will not be able to get the “equal” murder on him.
The theme of madness hits a new low in this scene when Ophelia kills herself. This is ironic since suicide is something that Hamlet contemplates several times though out the play yet he never does, and the person he loved decided to do it instead. It could also be that Ophelia no longer has her father to tell her how to act, so she became just like a puppet without its puppet master, inanimate.
Act 5 Sc. 1
Summary
The scenery changes completely and focuses on two gravediggers who are making Ophelia’s grave. They argue whether or not she should be buried in the churchyard, since according to Christianity, suicide is a terrible sin and those who commit suicide cannot be buried in a churchyard, and Ophelia’s death seemed like a suicide. They conclude that the only reason that Ophelia is being buried there is because she comes from a respectable family.
Horatio and Hamlet walk by and look at the skulls that the gravediggers have dug out. Hamlet wonders who the skulls used to be when they were men. Hamlet ponders how a person can build up so much during their lifetime, but have it all amount to nothing at the end. Hamlet begins talking to the gravedigger. During his conversation, he picks up a skull which, as the gravedigger informed him, belonged to a man named Yorick, the former King’s jester. As Hamlet begins talking to Horatio about death, he sees Claudius, Gertrude, and Laertes approaching, along with a funeral procession. He notices that it is a procession for one who has committed suicide.
Hamlet realizes that it is Ophelia who is about to be buried. Laertes is upset at the priest who would not give her a proper Christian burial because of her suicide. Laertes jumps into the grave and holds Ophelia in his arms. Hamlet then leaps into the grave, proclaiming his love for Ophelia, while fighting with Laertes. Gertrude and Claudius say that Hamlet is mad. Hamlet and Horatio then leave. Claudius then reminds Laertes of their plot of revenge.
Analysis
This scene differs from others in the play in that it is very dark or morbid. Hamlets confrontation in the graveyard with the burial of Ophelia and Yorick’s skull show that Hamlet has some connection with death. This connection can be the fact that everyone around him is dying or is about to die, or it can be that Hamlet knows that he is going to die and is walking through the graveyard as a sign of his acceptance of his soon to be death. The fact that the grave diggers contemplate Ophelia’s suicide shows that there is something wrong with it according to their society, and most societies would agree.
Act 5 Sc. 2
Summary
The next day, Hamlet tells Horatio about how he overcame Claudius’ plot to kill him in England, which involved replacing the sealed execution letter that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were carrying (which also included a command to execute Rosencrantz and Guildenstern). He also says how he feels betrayed by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and how he empathizes with Laertes’ desire to seek revenge. Then, one of the King’s messengers approaches them and tells them that Claudius has arranged a duel between Hamlet and Laertes and has placed a wager on Hamlet. Hamlet agrees to fight, but tells Laertes that it was his madness that caused Polonius to be murdered. Laertes does not accept Hamlet’s apology. Claudius tells Hamlet that he will place various gems (actually the poison) in a goblet out of which Hamlet will drink every time he hits Laertes.
The fight begins. Hamlet hits Laertes a few times, but does not drink from the cup. Instead, Gertrude accidentally drinks from it. During their fight, Hamlet and Laertes exchange swords and Hamlet scores a hit on Laertes. Gertrude dies, as does Laertes from the poison of his own sword. Furious, Hamlet forces Claudius to drink the poisoned wine, and Claudius dies. As Hamlet is dying, he asks Laertes for forgiveness, and Laertes accepts his apology. As Hamlet is dying, he hears news that Fortinbras has conquered the Poles, and asks Horatio to stay alive and tell over his story. Hamlet dies and Fortinbras marches into the room and announces that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have also died. Hamlet is carried away like a soldier.
Analysis
It is only now that Hamlet discovers that shipping him away with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern was a murder plan and he feels betrayal from them. Why is it only now that hamlet feels betrayal at all, he has been betrayed by his mother and his friends, why does Shakespeare only show the readers that it is now that Hamlet feels betrayed? The answer is that Hamlet has not really showed much emotion until now, and since he has come to peace with the idea that he is going to die trying to kill Cladius he is willing to show some emotion, almost weakening himself for the final blow. When he weakens himself he attempts to apologize to Laertes, but fails leading to the epic battle. This battle is very interesting since Cladius made a backup plan just in case Laertes fails, actually two backups. The first backup plan was to have Hamlet drink from a poisoned goblet, which kills Gertrude, while the second is to let Hamlet get killed by the poisoned sword. Both of these plans fail and the sword is used against Laertes, thus killing him. This is the perfect time for Hamlet to kill Cladius since he has now sinned; he was the cause of the deaths of Gertrude and Laertes. Since Cladius no longer has a clean slate without sins so Hamlet feeds him the poisoned goblets contents, thus killing him. Hamlet knew he would die shortly after this since he was hit with the poisoned sword and decides to repent by apologizing once more to Laertes and decides Fortinbras should be king of Denmark. This shows that now that Hamlet has completed his mission from the ghost he wants to repent so that he does not end up like the ghost of King Hamlet. The fact that Hamlet tells Horatio not to commit suicide is important since Horatio just lost everyone that meant anything to him. Hamlet was probably afraid that Horatio would commit suicide just like Ophelia after she lost that which was important to her.
