Hamlet

General information

Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare and was published at an uncertain date between 1599 and summer 1603. Even back in this time Hamlet was a popular tragedy. The plot takes place in the Kingdom of Denmark and tells a story about the young Prince Hamlet, who is supposed to revenge his dead father, the King of Denmark. He got killed by his brother, the wrongful sequel Claudius, to take over the throne. Hamlet takes place in the early medieval times, so it concurs to the time of origin. Because of its popularity it was translated to german very early, also many artists, writers and movie makers constantly work on an editing. It still is considered as the greatest literal masterpiece of all times.

Main Characters

• Prince Hamlet
• King Hamlet (old King)
• Claudius (new King; Prince Hamlet`s uncle)
• Gertrude (Prince Hamlet`s mother; widow of King Hamlet; now married to Claudius)
• old Fortinbras
• new Fortinbras (Prince of Norway)
• Laertes (Ophelia`s brother)
• Ophelia (Hamlet`s lover)
• Polonius (father of Ophelia and Laertes; royal counselor)
• Horatio (Hamlet`s friend)

Plot

Act I

The ghost of King Hamlet who had just passed away, appears in front of the castle gate. In the courtyard, the new king Claudius celebrates his marriage with Gertrude, Hamlets widow. After the celebration, Prince Hamlet acknowledges his dispair to himself in a monologue and comments on his mother`s doing in despite. When Polonius experiences Ophelia´s relationship with Hamlet, he forbids his daughter the contact with Hamlet. After being informed about the appearance of his dead father`s ghost, Hamlet talks to him and finds out how actually he has been killed by his brother Claudius. The ghost wants Prince Hamlet to take revenge for him, Hamlet and his friends swear not to tell anyone about what happened.

Act II

Polonius mistrusts his son Laertes and lets his servant spy on him.

Events right before the story

The ghost of King Hamlet craves in the purgatory. His dead was an insidious murder, accomplished by his brother Claudius by drizzling poison into his ear. In this way he lost his wife, life and crown to his brother, so he claims revenge from his son, Hamlet.