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Hamlet

'Hamlet' can be considered as the most most famous play of William Shakespeare. It is a revenge play which leads to tragic end. But it is not merely revenge tragedy. It is not the plot that made it universal play but the symbols he used, soliloquies, humanism and philosophical questions, life and death, these things makes it universal.

Summary:

The play takes place in Denmark. When play opens two guards sees a ghost at night walking on the ramparts of Elsinore castle. Then again it is watched by Horatio, who was friend of Hamlet. The ghost was looking like recently died King Hamlet. After his death his brother Claudius becomes king and marries Hamlet's mother Gertrude. Hamlet was in deep melancholy because of all this, mostly because his mother's over hasty marriage.

Horatio and watchmen meets Hamlet and tells about the ghost. When they came to see the ghost it speaks with Hamlet and says that it is indeed his father's spirit. The ghost describes truth that he was murdered by his own brother Claudius by pouring poison in ear when he was sleeping in garden. The ghost orders Hamlet to take revenge and disappears.

Hamlet decides to take revenge but did nothing and begun to act like mad. Claudius and Gertrude was worried for this and to find its causes appoints two of Hamlet's friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. But Polonius, the lord Chamberlain, suggests that Hamlet may be mad for love of his daughter, Ophelia. They decides to confirm is it true or not. They send Ophelia to talk with Hamlet but Hamlet behaves very badly with her saying that she should go to nunnery. It seems he was not mad because of love.

Now a group of traveling actors comes to Denmark. Hamlet decides to test his uncle's guilt. He says players to perform the scene in which Claudius murder king Hamlet. They performed the scene and when it comes Claudius stands and leaves the room. Hamlet and Horatio sees this which proves him guilty. Hamlet goes behind him to kill him. Claudius confesses in prayer that he killed his brother. Because he was praying, Hamlet thinks that Claudius would go to heaven if he will kill him while praying. So he leaves Claudius. Claudius was now in fear and orders Hamlet to send England.

Before leaving Hamlet meets his mother, where Polonius was hidden behind curtains. He makes noise and Hamlet kills him believing that Claudius is hidden there. After killing Polonius Hamlet behaves very badly with Gertrude. There ghost appears whom only Hamlet could see. Ghost says Hamlet that you delayed too much, take revenge.

Hamlet leaves for England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Claudius had made plan for killing Hamlet. He gives a sealed letter to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in which was order for long of Hamlet that Hamlet must put to death.

In Denmark Ophelia goes mad because of grief for her father's death and one day drowns in the river. Her brother Laertes comes from France to take revenge of his father's murder. Claudius convinced him that Hamlet is responsible for deaths of his father and sister. Now Horatio and Claudius receives letter informing that ship attacked by pirates and now he has returned to Denmark. Claudius makes another plan. He decides to use Laertes. He plans to arrange duel. He will poison Laertes's sword do if he hit Hamlet, Hamlet will die. As backup plan he will poison drink which he will give to Hamlet if he wins.

In way to castle Hamlet and Horatio see two gravediggers working. They go there and talks with them. Hamlet sees different skulls and talks about life and death. At the time Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes and others come for funeral of Ophelia. Hamlet was unaware of the death of Ophelia, but when he knew he attacks Laertes and declares that he loved Ophelia forty thousand times than Laertes.

All return palace. Osric arrives and gives news of duel match. Horatio tells Hamlet that if he is not willing he should denied. But Hamlet says that one must be prepared to die, because readiness is all.

The duel begins. Hamlet scores first hit. When he asked to drink, he denies but Gertrude takes drink and killed by poison. Laertes succeeds in wounding Hamlet but Hamlet does not die immediately. Accidentally swords changes and Laertes wounded by poisoned sword. Before dying he reveals that Claudius is responsible for all this and dies. Hamlet then stabs Claudius with poisoned sword and forces to drink the poisoned wine. Claudius dies and after completing his revenge, Hamlet also dies requesting Horatio to tell his story to the world.

At this moment, a Norwegian prince, Fortinbras, who was in perpetration to attack on Denmark, enters and stunned by the gruesome sight. The ambassador of England gives news that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Fortinbras take the power of the kingdom. Horatio tells him Hamlet's tragic story to fulfill Hamlet's wish. Fortinbras orders that Hamlet must be carried away like martyr.


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