FREE ESSAY ON HAMLET

HAMLET

Act I, Scene I - It is midnight and bitter cold. On a platform (a level space on the
battlements) outside the castle at Elsinore in Denmark, a sentry (Francisco) is being
relieved by another (Bernardo). Later, Marcellus and Horatio join Bernardo. Horatio is
there at Marcellus's request but doubts the sentries' story that on two previous nights
they have seen a ghost. But the ghost reappears, and Horatio, seeing its resemblance to
the dead king. Hamlet, asks it to speak. Instead, it stalks away.
Horatio interprets the ghost's appearance as an omen that strange is about to happen in
Denmark. He tells the sentries that Fortinbras, a young. hot-headed Norwegian, has
gathered an army and intends to march on Denmark to take back the lands which his father,
King Fortinbras, lost to King Hamlet. 
The ghost then reappears. Again, Horatio faces it and asks it to speak. Before it can, a
rooster crows, signaling the dawn, and the ghost retreats once more. Horatio and the
others agree that Prince Hamlet must be told of the night's happenings. 
Act II, Scene II - King Claudius is transacting state business. (Claudius, brother of the
dead king, Hamlet, has succeeded him to the throne. He has married the widow, Queen
Gertrude, prince Hamlet's mother.) In an attempt to avoid combat with Fortinbras,
Claudius is sending messengers. Cornelius and Voltimand, to the elderly king of Norway.
He wants to inform him of his headstrong nephew's (Fortinbras) intention to wage war
against Denmark. Next, Laertes, son of Claudius's trusted elderly counselor, Polonius,
asks permission to return to France now that Claudius's coronation is over. 
Having granted Laertes's request, Claudius turns to Hamlet, his nephew (and now his
stepson). Claudius says that he and the queen are troubled to see Hamlet still grieving
over his father's death. He asks Hamlet to accept him as his new father and assures
Hamlet that he will be the successor to the throne. He and Gertrude entreat Hamlet to
remain at court rather than resume his studies at Wittenberg. 
After everyone else leaves, Hamlet reveals that he is depressed almost to the point of
suicide. His anger and disgust are directed toward his mother because so soon after his
father's death, she has married a man inferior to King Hamlet in every way. Bernardo and
Marcellus join Hamlet and tell him of the previous night's event. He resolves to watch
with them this night. 
Act I, Scene III - In Polonius's house, Laertes and his sister, Ophelia, are saying
good-bye. Laertes warns her against Hamlet, saying a prince must choose his wife
carefully and Hamlet is probably not seriously interested in her. At that moment,
Polonius comes in and gives Laertes some fatherly advice about what his behavior should
be in France. When he finds out that they have been talking about Hamlet, he adds his
opinion that Hamlet is probably amusing himself with Ophelia. He tells her to avoid
Hamlet. She says she will obey. 
Act I, Scene IV - At midnight, Hamlet. Horatio, and Marcellus are on the platform.
wondering if the ghost will appear. It does, and although Hamlet is not certain if it is
his dead father or an evil spirit, he speaks to it. He asks why it has returned from the
tomb. The ghost does not answer, but beckons Hamlet to follow it. Horatio and Marcellus
beg him not to. but he does follow the ghost. 
Act I, Scene V - When they are alone. the ghost tells Hamlet that if he loved his father,
he must avenge his father's murder. The ghost (King Hamlet) describes how his brother,
Claudius, murdered him, then took his throne and queen. Although offended that Gertrude
remarried so soon after his death, he warns Hamlet to take no revenge on her. Her guilty
conscience will punish her enough. Because it is almost dawn. the ghost then disappears.
Hamlet does not tell the others what the ghost has said, but makes them promise to tell
no one what they have seen. 
Act II, Scene I - Polonius is sending a servant, Reynaldo, to France to spy on Laertes
and see how he is behaving. Polonius tells Reynaldo to talk to Laertes's acquaintances,
pretending to know him slightly, and suggest that he is immoral. Thus, Polonius tells
Reynaldo he can trick people into telling whatever they know about Laertes's behavior. 
Reynaldo leaves. Ophelia comes in, excited and troubled because Hamlet has just visited
her and he was acting very strange and agitated. He never spoke. but studied her face for
a long time, then sighed, and left her. Polonius interprets his behavior as an indication
that Hamlet's love for Ophelia has driven him mad since Ophelia has been avoiding Hamlet
as Polonius told her to do. Polonius decides that he misjudged Hamlet and that King
Claudius must be told how matters stand. 
Act II, Scene II - Just as Polonius has arranged to have Reynaldo spy on Laertes, King
Claudius has summoned two old friends of Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on
Hamlet. He tells them to spend time with Hamlet and try to discover what troubles him.
Queen Gertrude also entreats them to find out what is on Hamlet's mind, promising them
that 'they will be well paid for their efforts. 
Polonius brings in Voltimand and Cornelius, who have just returned with the good news
that the king of Norway has made Fortinbras promise never to take up arms against
Denmark. The king does request though that Fortinbras be allowed to take his army across
Denmark, for he now intends to do battle with the Poles. 
In his long-winded way, Polonius then begins to tell Claudius and Gertrude that he has
discovered the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior. He is in love with Ophelia, and since
she has spurned him (obeying Polonius's order) Hamlet has begun to act like a madman. To
prove his point, Polonius proposes to set a trap for Hamlet. He will arrange to have
Ophelia meet Hamlet accidentally. The king and Polonius will conceal themselves behind a
wall hanging and eavesdrop on Hamlet's conversation with Ophelia. 
At that point, Hamlet appears; he is completely engrossed in a book that he is reading as
he walks. Polonius asks Claudius and Gertrude to leave him alone with Hamlet so he can
see what is on Hamlet's mind. Hamlet's answers to his questions make Polonius more
certain that Hamlet is crazy. Actually, Hamlet is baiting Polonius: after Polonius
leaves, Hamlet calls him a tedious old fool. 
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern arrive and begin to question Hamlet, trying to prove their
suspicion that Hamlet's strange behavior is a result of disappointed ambition because he
did not succeed his father to the throne. Hamlet outwits them and shows that he is aware
that they have come because the king and queen sent for them. When they admit that he is
right, he tells them how disillusioned he feels. Nothing in life gives him pleasure. 
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell him they passed some actors coming to perform at court.
Polonius comes in and tells Hamlet what he already knows, the news about the players
(actors). Again, Hamlet makes fun of Polonius, but Polonius takes no offense since he is
so certain that Hamlet is deranged. 
Hamlet greets the players and reminds them of a scene from a play he once saw them
perform. He begins a speech he remembers, and the first player picks it up where Hamlet
stops. Then Hamlet tells Polonius to take the players to their quarters and to be certain
to treat them kindly. The first player lingers. Hamlet asks him if he knows a play called
The Murder of Gonzago. When the player says he does, Hamlet requests it for the next
night's performance and tells the player that he will write twelve or sixteen lines to be
added to the play. He then dismisses the player and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Then,
in a soliloquy, Hamlet berates himself for not yet having avenged his father's murder.
Still troubled by the possibility that the ghost is an evil spirit, not his dead father,
Hamlet has decided to test Claudius. He will have the players perform a murder scene. If
his uncle acts guilty, Hamlet will have his proof and take his revenge. 
Act III, Scene I - With Polonius and Ophelia present, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report
to the king and Queen that they have failed to find the cause of Hamlet's strange
behavior. When they leave, Claudius asks Gertrude to leave too, for he and Polonius are
about to eavesdrop on Hamlet's conversation with Ophelia. After the queen leaves,
Polonius instructs his daughter to pretend to read her prayer book. He generalizes that
by such pious pretense people often conceal evil actions. His remark troubles Claudius
who has much to conceal himself. 
Hamlet comes in, talking to himself about suicide. He says that because life is so
difficult, people might use suicide as an escape if they were not deterred by fear of
what might happen after death. Hamlet then sees and greets Ophelia. She tries to return
the gifts he once gave her, but he denies the giving. He is harsh to her, saying, I did
love you once. He talks cynically of marriage and women, then leaves her. Poor Ophelia
grieves to see him so changed and, like her father, is certain he is mad. 
Having heard the conversation, Claudius doubts that Hamlet is mad but believes he is a
threat. He decides to send him to England. Polonius still thinks Hamlet is lovesick and
suggests that Gertrude sound him out. Polonius will eavesdrop on their conversation. 
Act III, Scene II - After instructing the players about their performance, Hamlet talks
to Horatio. praising his even temper and sound judgment. He then tells Horatio his plan
to test the king. They agree that they will both watch Claudius to see if he acts guilty
when the stage murder takes place. 
Just before the play, the members of the court come in. Instead of sitting with his
mother as she asks, Hamlet sits beside Ophelia, a better vantage point to watch the king.
Hamlet is playing the madman again and continues his cynical remarks to Ophelia. In the
play, the actress queen vows eternal love for her husband and says that should he die,
she would never remarry. She then leaves the actor king, who falls asleep. The wicked
nephew comes in and pours poison into his ears. Hamlet comments on the play, saying that
later, the wicked nephew marries the king's wife. Claudius gets up abruptly to leave, and
the rest of the court follow. Hamlet now has the proof of guilt he needs. 
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come in to tell Hamlet that the king is ill and that his
mother wants to see him. Polonius appears and repeats the summons. They all leave.
Hamlet, in a soliloquy, says he will speak harshly to his mother but do her no bodily
harm. 
Act Ill, Scene III - On a pretext that mad Hamlet is a threat to him, Claudius asks
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take his nephew to England. Polonius then reports that
Hamlet is on his way to his mother's room where Polonius will eavesdrop on the
conversation between mother and son. Alone at last, Claudius tries to pray, but cannot.
He acknowledges to himself that he cannot pray for forgiveness while he keeps the rewards
his evil deed brought him, the crown and Gertrude. Claudius does not see Hamlet come in.
Finding his uncle alone and kneeling. Hamlet's first impulse is to kill him. Then he
realizes that if he kills Claudius at prayer, his soul may go to Heaven. Hamlet decides
to wait. 
Act Ill, Scene IV - Hamlet is so harsh to his mother that she fears for her life and
cries out. Hidden behind the wall hanging, Polonius shouts too. Hamlet thinks he hears
the king, and he slashes the hanging, killing Polonius. Hamlet realizes from Gertrude's
replies to his accusations that she knew nothing of her husband's murder. He berates her
for marrying Claudius. The ghost appears, but Gertrude cannot see it. When Hamlet talks
to it, she is certain he is mad. He tells her he is only feigning madness, but she must
not let the king know that. He then leaves, taking Polonius's corpse with him. 
Act IV, Scene I - Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet, in his madness, has killed
Polonius. Claudius realizes that Hamlet is sane and probably intended the sword thrust
for him. But he says to Gertrude that because Hamlet is mad, he is a threat to all of
them. He tells her that the public will be critical that Hamlet was not restrained before
this. He plans to send Hamlet to England immediately and will inform his councilors of
the murder and his plans for Hamlet's departure. Thus he, hopes to avert a scandal which
might weaken his own position. He sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Polonius's
body and take it to the chapel. 
Act IV, Scene II - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern approach Hamlet, asking where Polonius's
body is. He is flippant with them and still feigns madness. He tells them. in effect,
that the king is using them and will discard them when he is through. 
Act IV, Scene III - Alone, Claudius voices his thoughts. He must be careful in his
treatment of Hamlet because the people love him and would resent his being punished.
Rosencrantz reports that Polonius's body has not been found. Then Guildenstern brings in
Hamlet. When the king asks Hamlet where he has put Polonius's corpse, Hamlet says it is
food for the worms. Claudius is outwardly patient with Hamlet and tells him that, for his
own safety, he must leave for England immediately. After Hamlet goes out, the king
instructs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to get Hamlet aboard ship at once; it is to sail
that night. Alone again, Claudius reveals in a soliloquy that he has sent letters to the
king of England, asking that Hamlet be put to death. The king is under obligation to
Claudius and will do his bidding. 
Act IV, Scene IV - Fortinbras and his troops are marching across Denmark to Poland.
Hamlet meets one of the officers and finds that these Norwegians are going to risk their
lives with little justification, for a bit of worthless land. He then berates himself
that with so much justification to act, he himself has taken no revenge. 
Act IV, Scene V - Gertrude has been told that Ophelia is talking incoherently and her
words are making people suspicious about Polonius's death. She agrees to see the girl.
Ophelia comes in singing snatches of song interspersed with a few words that make sense.
She is oblivious of her surroundings. Claudius, realizing Ophelia's mental state, asks
Horatio to follow her and watch out for her. Claudius then recites to Gertrude all the
woes that have befallen their kingdom - Polonius's death, Hamlet's hasty departure, and
Ophelia's madness. Laertes has returned to Denmark, convinced that Claudius is
responsible for his father's death. After a commotion outside the door, Laertes comes in.
He addresses Claudius as vile king, asks where and how his father died, and vows revenge.
While Claudius tries to calm him and assures him that he had no part in Polonius's death,
Ophelia comes in. Laertes realizes that she is mad. Claudius sympathizes with him for his
two sorrows, says again that he had nothing to do with Polonius's death, and promises him
revenge on the guilty one. 
Act IV, Scene VI - Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet in which he describes a pirate
attack on his ship and being captured. He tells Horatio that the pirates have brought him
back to Denmark and asks Horatio to come to him. 
Act IV, Scene VII - Claudius has convinced Laertes that Hamlet killed Polonius and
intended to kill Claudius himself. A note arrives from Hamlet, announcing his return.
Laertes wants to take immediate revenge, but Claudius says there is a way he can have his
revenge, yet make Hamlet's death seem accidental. Claudius's scheme involves a fencing
match with Hamlet, for which Laertes will use an unblunted sword with a poisoned tip.
Gertrude comes in with 'the sad news that Ophelia is drowned. Laertes leaves,
griefstricken. 
Act V, Scene I - While they are digging a grave for a gentlewoman, the sexton and his
helper argue about whether or not she should have Christian burial since she drowned
herself. Hamlet and Horatio approach, unnoticed, as the gravedigger tosses out a skull he
has just uncovered. Hamlet speculates 'that it may have been the skull of someone who
held an important position. Now its owner is no more, and the skull is tossed rudely
aside. 
When Hamlet asks the sexton whose grave he is preparing, the man does not give him a
straight answer, but does identify the skull as Yorick's. Yorick was the court jester
whom Hamlet, as a child, knew and loved. Now only his bones remain. Hamlet generalizes to
Horatio that thus the greatest and the least eventually return to dust and obscurity. 
Hamlet and Horatio see a funeral procession approaching. In it are the king, the queen,
and members of the court. Out of sight of the mourners, Hamlet and Horatio watch. Hamlet
recognizes Laertes and soon realizes it is Ophelia's funeral. When Laertes, overcome with
grief, leaps into the grave. Hamlet comes forward and leaps in too. Laertes attacks
Hamlet who defends himself, Hamlet assumes that Laertes attacked because he was
determined to show his unsurpassed grief for his sister. Hamlet then says that his love
for Ophelia was greater than any brother's. Gertrude and Claudius beg Laertes to restrain
himself since Hamlet is obviously mad. 
Act V, Scene II - Hamlet describes to Horatio how, when he was aboard ship, he stole the
packet of letters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were delivering to the king of England.
Hamlet read them and discovered that Claudius was asking the king to have him beheaded.
He then substituted some letters he wrote himself, asking that the bearers (Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern) be put to death immediately. Next day, the sea fight occurred, and he
returned to Denmark with the pirates. Horatio agrees with him that he must take his
revenge quickly before Claudius learns what has happened in England. 
A courtier, Osric, comes in to tell Hamlet that Claudius has set up a fencing contest and
a wager, pitting Hamlet against Laertes, if Hamlet will agree. Hamlet does, but tells
Horatio that he has misgivings about the match. Horatio urges him not to go through with
it, but Hamlet does not heed him. 
Before the match, Hamlet asks Laertes's pardon if, in his madness, he has wronged him.
Laertes answers in a hypocritical way, seeming to accept Hamlet's explanation of his
behavior. Falsely, Claudius seems to be Hamlet's champion, saying cannon fire, drums, and
trumpets will mark Hamlet's success. He then drinks to Hamlet. Hamlet is now winning, and
Claudius urges him to drink too, but Hamlet is not ready. Instead, Gertrude drinks from
the poisoned cup that Claudius had intended for Hamlet. Laertes wounds Hamlet with the
unblunted sword, they scuffle, and change swords. Hamlet now has the sword with the
poisoned tip, and he wounds Laertes. The king tries to stop the match. Gertrude
collapses. Both contestants are bleeding. Laertes realizes that his own trickery will now
be the cause of his death. Dying, Gertrude calls out to Hamlet that the drink is
poisoned. Laertes now collapses but confesses to Hamlet about the poisoned sword; he puts
the blame on Claudius. Hamlet wounds Claudius and gives him the poisoned wine. Claudius
dies. Just before Laertes dies, he asks Hamlet to exchange forgiveness with him. Hamlet
is dying. Horatio is about to commit suicide, but Hamlet says he must live to tell
Hamlet's story and clear his name. 
Fortinbras arrives, victorious, and Hamlet, dying. predicts Fortinbras will be Denmark's
new king. Fortinbras assumes the authority, gives a tribute to Hamlet, and says he will
have a hero's burial.