Hamlet by Shakespeare

Hamlet by Shakespeare

1. Main topics per scene

   • Act I
     • Scene I
       • The appearance of the ghost of King Hamlet; the uncertainty and fear of the sentries; the political situation in Denmark.
     • Scene II
       • Claudius’ coronation and marriage to Gertrude; Hamlet’s sorrow and disgust at his mother's remarriage; Hamlet's first soliloquy expressing deep grief and disillusionment.
     • Scene III
       • Laertes advises Ophelia on her relationship with Hamlet; Polonius gives Laertes advice on how to live; Polonius’ advice to Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet.
     • Scene IV
       • Hamlet sees the ghost of his father; the ghost tells Hamlet of his murder by Claudius and urges Hamlet to seek revenge.
     • Scene V
       • Hamlet learns of the murder; the ghost demands that Hamlet avenges his death, and Hamlet swears to remember the ghost’s words.
   • ACT II
     • Scene II
       • Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to spy on Laertes; Ophelia reports on her encounter with Hamlet, who is acting erratically.
     • Scene III
       • Claudius and Gertrude ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet to figure out what’s wrong; Hamlet interacts with them, revealing his frustrations.
   • Act III
     • Scene I
       • Hamlet contemplates life, death, and existence; Claudius and Polonius spy on Hamlet’s interaction with Ophelia.
     • Scene II
       • Hamlet organizes the play "The Murder of Gonzago" to catch the conscience of the king; Claudius reacts strongly to the depiction of his crime.
     • Scene III
       • Claudius tries to pray for forgiveness but is unable to repent; Hamlet considers killing him but refrains, deciding that killing Claudius while he’s praying would send him to heaven.
     • Scene IV
       • Hamlet confronts Gertrude about her marriage to Claudius; Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, thinking he is Claudius.
   • Act IV
     • Scene I
       • Claudius sends Hamlet to England to protect himself; Hamlet’s madness is a source of concern for the court.
     • Scene II
       • Hamlet mocks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; his behavior continues to be erratic.
     • Scene III
       • Claudius plots to have Hamlet killed by the English king; Hamlet’s fate seems sealed.
     • Scene IV
       • Fortinbras' army marches through Denmark; Hamlet reflects on the nature of action and honor.
     • Scene V
       • Ophelia, distraught over her father’s death, goes mad and sings strange songs; her madness is symbolic of the impact of the court’s corruption on innocent lives.
     • Scene VII
       • Claudius and Laertes conspire to kill Hamlet in a fencing match; Laertes plans to poison the tip of his sword.
     • Scene VI
       • Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet, who is alive and returning to Denmark; Hamlet's escape from a plot to kill him in England.
   • Act V
     • Scene I
       • Hamlet and Horatio discover Ophelia’s grave; Hamlet reflects on death and mortality, holding the skull of Yorick, the court jester.
     • Scene II
       • The final duel between Hamlet and Laertes, where both are wounded with the poisoned sword; Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine and dies; Hamlet kills Claudius before dying.