Hamlet scene summaries

Act one Scene one summary:

Hamlet begins on the outer ramparts of Elsinore Castle. It is dark and late and a guard Francisco is waiting for Bernardo to relieve him from his watch. Francisco is becoming nervous as the night goes on as the last two nights on watch he and Bernardo have seen a figure that appears to relate to a ghosts. Their description of the ghost is that of the newly deceased king of Denmark wandering around.

The two guards are accompanied by Horatio a scholar and a brave man who does not believe of the idea of there being a ghost. The two guards begin to retell the story and the same ghosts appears before there eyes, surprising Horatio. The
The play begins on the outer ramparts of Elsinore castle. It is late and Francisco, a guard, is on duty waiting for Bernardo to relieve him from his watch. Francisco is nervous because the previous two nights he and Bernardo have seen a figure who appears to be the ghost of the recently deceased king wandering around. Francisco and Bernardo urge Horatio to confront the ghost as he is a speaker of Latin, but as he approaches the ghost fades away. The scene ends with Horatio declaring to inform this news with Hamlet.

Act one Scene two summary:

The scene starts with the new King Claudius giving a speech on his recently deceased brother. King Claudius states that due to this he has married the Queen, Gertrude. There is conflict with the Fortinbra’s a royal family of Norway. The King of Norway is feeling ill and does not know of his nephews plan to raise an army against Denmark as Hamlet the Kings brother killed his father. Then the King consults his council, and speaks to Laertes son of Polonius a wealthy man. Laertes wants to go to France.

Later on Hamlet confesses his distress and sorrow towards his mother. Hamlet says that his mother has gotten over his father to soon and has married his brother. Hamlet is also angered by the fact that King Claudius called him his son. The scene finishes with King Claudius going off to drink wine, and Hamlet is left on stage alone expressing his sadness towards the death of his father.

Act one Scene three summary:

Laertes a young Lord is beginning to set of for Paris when he talks about Ophelia’s (Larte’s sister) relationship with hamlet.
He warns her that because Hamlet is such of a high status she may have to marry somebody else for the sake of the state. Laertes is afraid that Hamlet is taking advantage of her and only wants her for sex. Ophelia retaliates by calling Laertes a hypocrite and saying she is no child.

Polonius the father of the two walks in and gives Laertes a long advice. Claiming that borrowing money can result in a loss of friendship and that one must listen to a lot of things but talk less. Most importantly he tells Laertes above all be true to yourself. As Laertes departs he tells Ophelia that Hamlet doesn’t really love her and he only wants to sleep with her. Ophelia says to her father that Hamlet has expressed his love towards her many times. Polonius tells her that she is a fool to believe him. He orders her to stop seeing Hamlet, and Ophelia agrees.

Act one Scene four summary:

Marcellus, Horatio and Hamlet are outside and the air bites shrewdly. It is almost twelve and a flourish of trumpets and cannons go off. As Hamlet begins to talk about relations between Norway and Denmark the ghost appears.

Horatio exclaims “look my lord, it comes”. The ghos beckons towards Hamlet. Horatio and Marcellus warn Hamelt but he says his life is not worth a pin to him. After a long talk the choice is made to follow the ghost.

Act Two Scene One summary:

Polonius greets his slave Reynaldo and asks him to deliver some money to his son Laertes who has moved to Paris to study in university. However, Polonius has more devious plans for Reynaldo. He requests him to spread bad rumours about Laertes so people will confess that have done gambling or other actions that Polonius doesn’t approve of. Polonius explains that he is doing this do discover if Laertes is up to no good.

After the discussion Ophelia enters the room. She comes with bad news and claims that Hamlet has turned mad. She describes him as being pale and half his shirt unbuttoned. Polonius thinks that he is doing this because of his love for Ophelia. She claims that all she has done is stopped forms of communications between them. Polonius is angry because of his suspicions of Hamlet, and says he is going to tell the King.

Act Two Scene Two summary:

Both the King and Queen enter the stage with two of Hamlet’s friends Rosencrants and Guildenstern, who are requested to spy on Hamlet. Reluctantly, they accept the task and mock the King by saying they have to do it anyway. When they leave Polonius enters the room and tells the King and Queen that he believes Hamlet has turned mad. Polonius believes it is because of his love for Ophelia.

A man from Norway, Voltemand comes with news that the King of Norway has managed to restrain young Fortinbras from invading Denmark, but now he must invade Poland. To do this he has requested for the army to pass through Denmark on the way to Poland. The King vaguely agrees and brushes the letter aside. The King, Queen and Polonius try to lie to Hamlet, whilst he mocks Polonius. The scene ends with the players entering the scene, and Hamlet tests them to recite speeches from the legend of Troy. Hamlet schemes to create the play tomorrow based on King Claudius’s crimes.

Act Three Scene One summary:

The King and Queen consult Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about their investigation on Hamlet. They tell the King and Queen what they want to hear but do not give any more detail to the story. They tell the King about Hamlet’s enthusiasm for the players, and they agree to watch the play. Polonius intends to use Ophelia to spy on Hamlet. They see him coming and decide to hide. Hamlet enters and does a long speech about weather or not he should kill himself, because of his guilt for not killing the King for his crimes. Hamlet then says he does not love Ophelia anymore and mocks her by saying she should go to a brothel.

The King and Polonius emerge from behind the tapestry, and come to the conclusion that Hamlet’s strange behavior is not because of his love for Ophelia. He fears of Hamlet’s melancholy and says it is dangerous as it can get out of control. The King declares he is going to send Hamlet to England. But Polonius asks to observe Hamlet after the play when he is talking to his mother, as he still believes his actions are because of his love for Ophelia.

Act Three Scene Two:

In the evening Hamlet informs the players on how to act scene. As he instructs the players Horatio enters the room. Hamlet very glad to see him, tells him everything he learnt from the ghost about King Claudius. They agree to watch Claudius whilst the play is going and and observe him to look for any signs of guilt.

During the play Hamlet teases Ophelia with many sexual references. During the part of the play where the King is killed by poison being poured into his ear, Claudius cries out and demands for the lights. Everyone flees the scene and leave Hamlet and Horatio alone on stage. They talk about Claudius actions and agree that he is guilty of his crimes.

Act Three Scene Three:

Somewhere in Elsinore castle the King speaks to Rosencratz and Guildenstern on their findings about Hamlet’s behaviour. The King begins to fear Hamlets madness and realises it is becoming a danger to him. Claudius asks of them to take Hamlet on a voyage to England and away from him. Polonius enters the room and says he has plans to spy on Hamlet whilst he is talking to his mother Gertrude. After Polonius leaves, the King says his sins for the first time on stage and says that he is a brother murderer. He begins to pray.

Hamlet quietly enters the room and sees the King praying. He realises that if he killed him that Claudius would go to heaven and he would have a better fate than Hamlet’s father had. He decides to kill him when he is singing or when he is drunk.

Act Three Scene four:

In Gertrude’s chamber she and Polonius wait for Hamlets arrival. As Hamlet storms in Polonius hides behind a tapestry, hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation and discover more on the cause of Hamlets madness. Hamlet asks his mother what she wants of him and he states that she has offended the dead King by marrying Claudius and makes many insults towards his mother. Hamlet hears a cry behind the tapestry. He brings out his rapier and stabs through the curtain, only to find that Polonius was dead.

The reminiscent of the ghost appears, invisible to Gertrude. Hamlet talks to the ghost and Gertrude begins to think he is even madder as she does not see or hear the ghost. The ghost has come to tell Hamlet that he is not doing his tasks as he has killed Polonius, where he should be avenging him by killing Claudius. The ghost gives him a final message to be easier on his mother.

Desperately, Hamlet tries to convince his mother that he is not mad, and urges her to not speak of this to Claudius. Hamlet then reminds his mother that he is going to be sent on a voyage to England who he thinks of as poisonous snakes. Hamlet leaves the room, dragging the body of Polonius behind him.

Act Four Scene One:

Shaken after her confrontation with Hamlet, Gertrude goes to the King to speak to him about Hamlet’s madness. He King is speaking with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and dismisses them. Gertrude tells him that her son is as mad as the sea during a violent storm, and also tells him that he has killed Polonius. Claudius wonders how he will deal with this crisis to the citizens of Denmark, and decides that Hamlet must be shipped away to England immediately. He tells Guildenstern and Rosencrantz about the murder, and tells them to find Hamlet.

Act Four Scene Two:

The King disputes with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in an attempt to get them too seek the body of the recently killed Polonius. Hamlet is asked by Rosencrantz where Plonius’ remains lay, but he answers “The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body.” Then they go out to seek the body of Polonius whilst Hamlet leaves the scene.

Act Four Scene Three:

In a room in the castle King Claudius asks Guidlenstern and Rosencrantz on what they have found out about Polonius’ body but they tell him they have not found any information. Hamlet enters the room and makes claims about Polonius’ decaying body and gives statements that worms are eating his remains. Hamlet states that Polonius is in heaven, or to seek him in hell himself. Hamlet then says “If you do not find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go upstairs into the lobby”, and tells Claudius where he is. The King then decides that because of this Hamlet must be sent to England, and Hamlet exits the stage. Then aside Claudius tells his evil plans to kill Hamlet on a voyage on the way to England which will appear like an accident.

Act Four Scene Four:

Fortinbras enters with his captains and soldiers. Hamlet, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz enter and question Fortinbras on whose authority has he entered Norway, and he replies that it was the Kings. The captain tells Hamlet that they are going through to fight some part of Poland, seemingly a small patch of ground that is manned lightly. Hamlet is left alone on stage and has a soliloquy where he talks about life and death and the purpose of all humans on Earth is meaningless other than to sleep and eat.

Act Four Scene Five:

Gertrude, Horatio and a gentlemen are somewhere in the castle. Gertrude and Horatio talk about Ophelia who has recently been going mad, and is in sorrow because of her fathers death. Horatio says that the young girl should be pitied, and Gertrude does not wish to see her. Ophelia enters the room and starts singing. Horatio claims that her grief stems from her fathers death. He also mentions that Laertes has sailed back to France in secrete.

Somewhere in the castle a loud noise echoes. The King calls for his guards, and sees Laertes enter with a huge mob of people. The mob call Laertes lord and say that he should be the King. Laertes is furious and storms into the hall. He questions the King who is responsible for his fathers death but the King lies and says he doesn’t know anything about it.

Act Four Scene Six:

Horatio opens a letter which he has received from Hamlet, sent by a group of sailors. The letter tells him that pirates have occupied the ship which Hamlet was supposed to be sent to England. In the battle Hamlet has been taken captive, but with good treatment Hamlet is delivered back to Denmark. Hamlet meets up with Horatio and tells him he has a lot of news to update him on.

Act Four Scene Seven:

In an attempt to outrage Laertes, King Claudius tells him that Hamlet had killed his father. Laertes is astonished at the fact that Claudius didn’t punish Hamlet for murder. Claudius replies that he also intends for Hamlet to be punished.

A messenger arrives, carrying the letters that Hamlet sent to Horatio. Now the King knows that Hamlet is alive and he survived the voyage he decides to show his love for Polonius, in an attempt to gain Laertes to his side and plot to kill Hamlet. King Claudius arranges for a sword fight to be played. But Laertes sword will be sharpened where as Hamlet will be equipped with a blunt sword. Laertes decides to poison his sword with such a potent substance that even a cut to the flesh will mean Hamlet dies. The King then decides to be certain of his death that he will be given a goblet of wine with a poison.

Gertrude interrupts Laertes and Claudius’s plot and tells them and Ophelia has taken her own life and has drowned. Laertes unable to control his rage runs out and is followed by the Queen and King.

Act Five Scene One:

In the graveyard two grave diggers bury out a grave for Ophelia. One of the gravediggers says that Ophelia should not have a Christian burial as she took her own life. The second grave digger asks a riddle of who builds stronger the mason, the carpenter or the shipwright. The grave digger claims it must be the gallows maker as his frames outlasts a thousand tenants. But the second gravedigger corrects him and says it is us gravediggers whose houses last forever.

Hamlet and Horatio enter the graveyard and observe Ophelia’s funeral from a distance. Hamlet looks around at the skulls the gravediggers toss around, whose graves are getting dug out. Hamlet makes a speculation about the skulls saying that this could have been the skull of a lawyer, and they are the skulls of men and women. Hamlet questions the gravedigger on whose grave he is digging but the digger replies it his grave, as it belongs to no man and women as they are not living. Eventually he admits it was the skull of a woman, whose soul is now at rest. The gravedigger does not recognise Hamlet and tells him that he has been digging grave since the old King Hamlet killed the elder Fortinbras, the day Hamlet was born.

After a while the funeral passes by of Ophelia including Gertrude, Claudius and Laertes. Hamlet wonders who has died and finds out that it is Ophelia who has died as she is laying out in the grave. Laertes from his grief jumps into the grave with her and holds her hands. Hamlet also bursts out into the funeral exclaiming that Laertes love for Ophelia could not match his own. They start to grapple each other and it is separated by Horatio. The King tells Laertes to be patient and follow the plan.

Act Five Scene Two:

Hamlet tells Horatio on how he avoided execution in England. He changed the letter to kill the bearers of the letter which were Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet tells Horatio how he had no sympathy for them as they betrayed him. They are interrupted by a man called Osric who tells the King Claudius has planned for a duel between him and Laertes. Hamlet agrees to the duel.

Whilst selecting weapons Hamlet picks a rapier right for him. Where as Laertes takes his time to find the rapier with the sharpened blade. He then poisons the blade ready for battle. When the fighting begins Hamlet hits Laertes three times, and after a scuffle they manage to switch blades unknowingly. Hamlet ends up cutting Laertes, but before was wounded by the same poisoned blade. The king offers Hamlet the poisoned goblet, but Gertrude takes the wine cup and drinks it. Hamlet realises what happens and orders for the doors to be closed to find out who the killer is. Laertes forgives Hamlet and says he has died in an honourable way. Hamlet in fury runs to King Claudius and stabs him with his rapier killing him. Hamlet tells Horatio to remember this story and to speak of it, and forgives Laertes before he dies.

A loud marching is heard down the hall and Fortinbras with his army ask why has so many people died. Horatio tells them the story, and is told by the English who have also come whose thanks do we owe for killing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He tells him that it is Hamlet’s who has recently been killed. They decided to give him a burial so he could be carried away like a soldier.


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