Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Characters:
Hamlet, a prince of Demark.
Claudius, brother of the Danish king.
Gertrude, widow of the king.
Ophelia, daughter of the chamberlain.
Laertes, brother of Ophelia.

The Play:
Hamlet, price of Denmark, learns that his uncle Claudius and his unfaithful mother Gertrude were responsible for the death of his father, the king. Unashamed and conscienceless, they reign as new king and queen of Denmark.

One night the ghost of his father appears before Hamlet and tells him to avenge his murder. Hamlet promises. He casts aside his love for Ophelia, daughter of Polonius, lord chamberlain, so he can devote himself to revenge. He pretends madness, treats Ophelia rudely, and even upbraids his mother the queen. Thinking his uncle Claudius is listening behind a curtain, Hamlet stabs him but kills the palace chamberlain instead.

The king plans to destroy Hamlet and sends the latter on a mission to England. At sea pirates capture the prince and send him back to Denmark. Hamlet learns that Ophelia has drowned herself in grief and bitterness over her father’s death. Her brother Laertes, to avenge his father’s death, duels with Hamlet using a poisoned sword furnished by Claudius.

During the duel, Hamlet mortally wounds Laertes, then he also stabs his uncle the king to death. Laertes kills Hamlet before expiring. Horrified, Queen Gertrude drinks from a poisoned cup intended for Hamlet and she also dies.

Comment:

This is a Shakespearean tragedy with all important characters getting killed, some of them because of past sins. Hamlet possesses a noble nature, but doesn’t have strength and will of a hero. The uncle is a cruel, heartless throne usurper. Worse is Hamlet’s mother who helped murder her first husband, the king. There is retribution for the guilty; and pity for the innocents killed.