Plot Summary

Act I

Scene 1

• The ghost of King Hamlet appears to guards at Elsinore Castle.
• The guards decide to inform Hamlet.

Scene 2

• King Claudius addresses the court; and marries Queen Gertrude.
• Hamlet expresses grief over his father's death and his mother's quick remarriage.
• Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost.

Scene 3

• Laertes advises Ophelia against Hamlet's affections.
• Polonius echoes Laertes' concerns.

Scene 4

• Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus see the ghost.
• Ghost beckons Hamlet to follow.

Scene 5

• Ghost reveals he is Hamlet's father and was murdered by Claudius.
• Hamlet vows revenge.

Act II

Scene 1

• Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes in Paris.
• Ophelia reports Hamlet's strange behaviour to Polonius.

Scene 2

• Claudius and Gertrude summon Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet.
• Polonius suggests Hamlet's madness is due to Ophelia's rejection.
• Players arrive; Hamlet plans to use a play to test Claudius's guilt.

Act III

Scene 1

• Claudius and Polonius spy on Hamlet and Ophelia.
• Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy.
• Hamlet confronts Ophelia.

Scene 2

• "The Mousetrap" play is performed.
• Claudius's reaction confirms his guilt to Hamlet.

Scene 3

• Claudius attempts to pray; Hamlet decides not to kill him while praying.

Scene 3

• Hamlet confronts Gertrude in her chamber.
• Kills Polonius behind the arras, mistaking him for Claudius.
• The ghost appears, reminding Hamlet of his purpose.

Act IV

Scene 1

• Gertrude informs Claudius of Polonius's death.
• Claudius plans to send Hamlet to England.

Scene 2

• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern try to find Polonius's body.

Scene 3

• Claudius sends Hamlet to England with orders for his execution.

Scene 4

• Hamlet meets Fortinbras's army, reflecting on his inaction.

Scene 5

• Ophelia goes mad over her father's death.
• Laertes returns, seeking revenge for Polonius.

Scene 6

• Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet, revealing he escaped a pirate attack.

Scene 7

• Claudius and Laertes plot to kill Hamlet.
• News of Ophelia's death by drowning arrives.

Act V

Scene 1

• Gravediggers discuss Ophelia's burial.
• Hamlet and Horatio enter; Hamlet reflects on mortality.
• Hamlet confronts Laertes at Ophelia's funeral.

Scene 2

• Hamlet reveals Claudius's plot and his counterplot.
• In the duel between Hamlet and Laertes; both are wounded by a poisoned sword.
• Gertrude drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet and dies.
• Hamlet kills Claudius.
• Laertes forgives Hamlet before dying.
• Hamlet dies, requesting Horatio to tell his story.
• Fortinbras arrives, taking control of Denmark.