Hamlet

Hi friend! 

I have brought you a new post today. Happy reading! 

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet, is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. It was penned by him at an uncertain date between 1599 and 1602. The play follows the titular character, Hamlet, as his quest for revenge following his father’s gruesome death brings misery and misfortune in the lives of many others, as well as his own.

The play opens with the news of the demise of the king of Denmark. His young son and heir, Prince Hamlet, is distraught; especially because of his mother, Queen Gertrude’s haste in marrying her brother in law, Claudius, who is strongly suspected of murdering the king by the unusually perceptive Hamlet. Now that Denmark is unstable, Prince Fortinbras of Norway is marching towards them. One dark, moonless night, Hamlet’s friends Horatio, Marcellus and Bernado encounter a ghost that strongly resembles Hamlet’s deceased father. Upon being informed of this, Hamlet determines to speak to his father himself. Ignoring his friends’ misgivings, he sets out for his father’s graveyard. His father’s spirit reveals that Claudius killed him by treachery, knowing that he could never win in a fair fight, and that he yearns for an opportunity to avenge himself. He asks Hamlet to kill Claudius. Despite the prince’s own misgivings and horror, he reluctantly agrees to do as his father wishes. He begins to lose his tenuous grip on reality, descending into complete insanity. Despite his physical proximity to his uncle/stepfather, he is unable to bring himself to kill him, and begins to find excuses to put off the difficult task. He is torn between loyalty towards his mother and love for his father, hence the famous “to be, or not to be?”. Wishing to test how true his father is being to him, he puts up a play, the theme of which is regicide. Upon seeing this Claudius begins to feel ill; proof enough for Hamlet.  He later confronts his mother, and insults and abuses her, causing her to faint. Soon after, the woman he loves, Ophelia, dies, and her brother Laertes, believing Hamlet to be responsible, challenges him to a duel. Hamlet reluctantly agrees. Claudius, desperate to get rid of Hamlet, hands Laertes a poisoned sword. Laertes and Hamlet end up stabbing each other at the same time, but, before dying, Hamlet grabs the poisoned sword and impales Claudius through the chest. Queen Gertrude also dies after consuming a glass of poison meant for Hamlet. With his last breath, Hamlet declares that the throne must be given to Fortinbras.

And thus, we learn that when one is consumed by vengeance, they destroy not only their own lives, but the lives of several others.

Thank you!

I hope you liked my article!