Drew Patti

Theatre PM
October 2015
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, commonly known as Hamlet, is a tragedy written by
William Shakespeare between the years of 1599 and 1602. The play focuses on Hamlets revenge on his
Uncle Claudius who murdered his own brother, Hamlets father, and seized the throne by marrying his
dead brothers wife, Hamlets mother.
After the sentries Bernardo and Marcellus and Hamlets friend Horatio encounter a ghost the
resembles King Hamlet they decide to tell Hamlet what happened. After hearing the news of his fathers
ghost, Hamlet decides to see what they are talking about. The ghost appears to Hamlet and confesses to
him that Claudius is responsible or his fathers death. Hamlet, although unsure about the ghost, tell his
friends that he has plans for a secret revenge.
Hamlet goes to Ophelias house, a girl who is interested in him, half-naked and crazy, and
Ophelias father, Polonius, says Hamlets madness is in the name of love. Polonius tells Hamlets parents
about this endeavor and they decide to have two students, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to investigate
Hamlets odd behavior. Hamlet, after discovering that Rozencrants and Guildenstern were spies, decides
to make a play with the acting troupe they brought him to stage a death in the style of his fathers murder
to determine if the ghosts story is true and if Claudius is guilty.
After a short encounter with Ophelia and deeming her immodest, Claudius learns that Hamlet is
not mad with love, but rather crazy overall. Shortly after his odd engagement, Claudius witnesses the play
in which the actor portraying the king is murdered by his rival pouring poison in his ear and he leaves
immediately. After seeing this, Hamlet knows his uncle is guilty. His mother, Gertrude, demands an
explanation and while she and Hamlet are fighting they hear a noise. Assuming it was Claudius, Hamlet
stabs blindly behind a curtain and kills Polonius accidentally. Hamlet proceeds to yell at his mother when
the ghost appears to him. The ghost tells Hamlet to stop. Hamlets mother watching her son converse with
a ghost she cannot see or hear, confirms her thought of Hamlets insanity. Hamlet leaves with Polonius

body and leaves for England to bury him, accompanied by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who were
ordered to tell the English King to have Hamlet executed by Claudius.
Laertes, Ophelias brother, angered by her fathers death and sisters madness due to his loss, is to
engage in a fencing dual with Hamlet, a plan made by Claudius since his original plan failed when
Hamlet returned to Denmark. Laertes is to use a poison-tipped foil and Claudius will offer Hamlet
poisoned wine as congratulations if he is to win. While this is being determined, Gertrude interrupts to
report that Ophelia has drowned for undetermined reasons. Hamlet and Horatio attend Ophelias funeral,
at first in hiding, but when Hamlet realizes that Ophelia is the one being buried he confesses his love for
her in front of everybody. Laertes and Hamlet fight by the graveside but the fight is broken up.
At the fencing battle, Hamlet leads the match two hits to none. Gertrude decides to toast to this
and drinks the wine set aside for Hamlet: the poisoned wine. Laertes, realizing what has happened and in
attempt to hide the plan, slashes Hamlet with the poisoned blade. As Gertrude dies she says she was
poisoned and as Hamlet dies Laertes reveals that this was all a part of Claudius plan. Hamlet kills
Claudius. As the poison takes effect in Hamlet, Horatio, in fear of being the last one alive, threatens to kill
himself until Hamlet calms him down and begs him to live on and tell his story. Hamlet dies. Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern are reported dead. Horatio promises to live on and tell Hamlets story and we see
Fortinbras, the Norwegian prince, take the crown for himself.

Prior Circumstances: Im on my way to tell my mom that Claudius is responsible for dads death and on
my way to her room I see Claudius