During rehearsal, Hamlet and the actors plot to present Hamlet's play before the King and Queen. Hamlet writes a play which includes scenes that mimic the murder of Hamlet's father. Their arrival coincides with a group of travelling actors that Hamlet happens to know well. Claudius summons Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, old friends of Hamlet to find out what's got into him. They had hoped to find the reason for Hamlet's sudden change in behaviour but could not.

He rejects Ophelia, while Claudius and Polonius, the royal attendant, spy on him. Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 3Īccording to his plan, Hamlet begins to act strangely. This above all: to thine own self be true. Laertes warns his sister, Ophelia, away from Hamlet and thinking too much of his attentions towards her.

When Hamlet hears of the Ghost from Horatio, he wants to see it for himself.Įlsewhere, the royal attendant Polonius says farewell to his son Laertes, who is departing for France. Hamlet continues to mourn for his father's death and laments his mother's lack of loyalty. At that moment, the Ghost reappears, and the guards and Horatio decide to tell Hamlet.Ĭlaudius, Hamlet's uncle, married Hamlet's recently-widowed mother, becoming the new King of Denmark. The guards describe a ghost they have seen that resembles Hamlet's father, the recently-deceased king. Late at night, guards on the battlements of Denmark's Elsinore castle are met by Horatio, Prince Hamlet's friend from school.

The play ends with a duel, during which the King, Queen, Hamlet's opponent and Hamlet himself are all killed. His uncle, fearing for his life, also devises plots to kill Hamlet. Hamlet feigns madness, contemplates life and death, and seeks revenge. The ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet's uncle. TL DR (may contains spoilers): Hamlet sees his dead dad's ghost, pretends to go crazy with revenge, actually goes crazy with revenge (debatable), and everyone dies. Information to help you plan your visit to Shakespeare's family homes Prices, booking, opening times and more to help you get organisedĮnjoy seasonal activities and special events throughout the year Walk in Shakespeare's footsteps at Shakespeare's New Place Relive Shakespeare's love story at Anne Hathaway's Cottage Visit William Shakespeare's Birthplace and explore his childhood world, right where it all began.

The Do-Over by T.L. Swan