William Shakespeare’s Hamlet : an overview

1. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: an overview

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Act 1, Scene 3 • Laertes, leaving for France, warns his sister, Ophelia, about Hamlet’s affections. • Polonius rants and forbids Ophelia from seeing Hamlet.

7. Act 1, Scene 4 • The Ghost appears to Hamlet and others. • Hamlet follows.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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, Scenes 1 & 2

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. Act 5, Scene 2 • Hamlet tells Horatio of rewriting the letter, ensuring death to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. • Osric arrives with request to fence Laertes.

23. Continued. • Hamlet tells Horatio that he’s prepared to die. • The match begins; King and Queen toast Hamlet’s first successful round.

24. Continued • Hamlet does not drink. • Queen drinks despite Claudius’s warnings. • Laertes wounds Hamlet with poisoned sword.

25. Continued • Fencers accidentally exchange swords. • Hamlet wounds Laertes. • Queen falls and dies. • Laertes reveals King’s plot

26. 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.

27. Things to ponder • “Problem play” • Theatrical history • Verse vs. Prose • Deception • Nature and order • Heroism

28. Things to ponder • Wit and humor • Sex and relationships • Revenge • Ghost or devil? • Innocence • Victimization • Politics