Summary of the Actions of Hamlet

Introduction

In this scene, Polonius orders his servant Reynaldo to check on his son, Laertes, asking that Reynaldo gains information about his son, indirectly so that he can discover his actual state. Further, Polonius proposes that his servant mentions rumors about Laertes's supposed vices say, seeing prostitutes, fighting or even drinking so that in case there are any truths in these accusations, they will be confirmed by his acquaintances. Later in this scene, Polonius's daughter, Ophelia enters and tells him about Hamlet's visit and how disturbed she felt since she was not sure whether he loved her, was tricking or he was just in psychological distress.

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Question

Come clean Hamlet, do you really love Ophelia? Are you really insane about this?

Quote

Ophelia states that, "...as you did command, I did repel his letters and denied Him access to me." We notice that Ophelia, being the fair and dutiful girl that she is, is caught between her father's mandates and Hamlets overwhelming volatility.

Hamlet Act 2 Scene 2

Summary

In this scene, both the King and the Queen welcome Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. These two have been summoned hoping that the prince will confide in them, as they agree to spy on their friend. Later, Voltemand and Cornelius arrive to report that the king of Norway has agreed to redirect Fortinbras' invasion to Poland. At the same time, Polonius then points out that Hamlet is lovesick and brandishes a letter that the prince had confiscated from Ophelia. At this point, Polonius offers to arrange that the King eavesdrops on Ophelia and Hamlet, during one of their encounters. Hamlet, however, appears a while later and Polonius asks that both the King and the Queen leave so that he approaches the prince by himself. Hamlet, who at this point is labeled mad, approaches Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with a wild talk and pesters them into owning up to the fact that they had been sent to pry on him. When the players who perform "The Murder of Gonzago" are done, Hamlet dismisses them on his delay in avenging the Ghost and seeks to test Claudius by presuming that, if he responds guiltily, he would know that the Ghost had spoken the truth.

Question

What is your problem Gertrude, can't you see that your love for Claudius upsets your son? Can't you also see that this man must be behind your husband's death?

Quote

Hamlet says, "I am but mad north-north-west." Through this phrase, Hamlet implies that he is not completely mad, likening his madness to a compass needle to an angle pointing true north, meaning that he might have an angle meaning that he could be pretending.

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 1

Summary

At the beginning of this scene, both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern point out that they were completely puzzled by Hamlet's behavior and they really would not understand why he behaved that way. They, however, exit the scene alongside the Queen, leaving Polonius and the King in hiding and Ophelia approaches Hamlet, as she tries to find out more. Hamlet on the other hand, enters and delivers an Iconic speech before confronting Ophelia, with whom they get into a tense exchange rendering her to return the love gifts that she had received from him. Hamlet, in rapid succession, states that he no longer loved her and in the end berates her, and women in general. This leaves Ophelia, devastated.

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 2

A play within a play is exemplified in this scene. To begin with, the actors of the play plan on staging a veiled re-enactment of Hamlet's father's murder, and at this point, Hamlet advises them on how to perform his script. Various characters, Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Claudius, Ophelia, Gertrude, and the king, among others, are in attendance of the play. However, the play is interrupted at the crucial murder scene by the King who abruptly stops the performance and later stomps out of the hall making Hamlet and Horatio conclude that Claudius's angry reaction was evidence enough that he was guilty.

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 3

Immediately after the play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern receive their new task from Claudius requiring them to take Prince Hamlet with them, to England since he felt as though Hamlet was becoming a danger to the royal family. They agree and exit after which Polonius enters and tells the king of his plan to eavesdrop on Hamlet and Gertrude's conversation. Later, Claudius confesses that he was guilty of his sins and he begins to pray. Hamlet, however, walks in the room holding a sword and contemplates on killing Claudius but refrains after thinking to himself that if he were to kill Claudius in his prayer, he would go to heaven regardless of his sins.

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 4

At the beginning of this scene, Polonius and Gertrude discuss on how they would meet Hamlet. Immediately after Hamlet walks in, Gertrude begins to criticize her son's behavior but instead, Hamlets begins to blame his mother for marrying his uncle as soon as his father died. Hamlet is so angered about this discussion, and he mistakes Polonius for Claudius and stabs him to death. As Gertrude and Hamlet get into a discussion regarding his murder, his father's ghost enters the room and warns his son about revenge and that he needed to comfort his mother.

Hamlet Act 4 Scene 1

The scene continues from the previous scene, and Gertrude, who is now frightened tells Claudius about Polonius's murder by Hamlet. At this point, Claudius reaffirms that Hamlet's madness was being a threat to everyone and that he needed to be shipped abroad at sunset. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are asked to calm Hamlet down and present Polonius's body to the chapel.

Hamlet Act 4 Scene 2

Both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do as they are told, but Hamlet hides the remains of Polonius's body and labels Rosencrantz, a sycophant and keeps with his mad act as a way of avoiding their questions.

Hamlet Act 4 Scene 3

In this scene, Hamlet is brought to Claudius who questions him on the whereabouts of Polonius's body. Although Hamlet still acts enigmatic, Claudius gets a hint of where the body is and informs Hamlet that he intended to send him away, for his own safety. Claudius has, however, planned that the king of England assassinates Hamlet.

Hamlet Act 4 Scene 4

This scene covers Hamlet's encounter with Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, where Hamlet learns that Norwegians were soon going to war with Poland over some tiny piece of land. At this point, Hamlet is ashamed of his own sluggishness in fighting for a noble cause when he realizes the number of men who were willing to die for just a trivial cause.

Hamlet Act 4 Scene 5

Ophelia, who is still not over Hamlet's conduct towards her, is driven crazy by her father's murder and secret death. In this scene, Laertes returns with a mob who are determined to make him king over the secret murder of Polonius. Claudius, however, explains to Laertes that he was innocent over Polonius death and they both plan a revenge mission upon Hamlet. Laertes also witnesses Ophelia's madness and how much grief-stricken she was.

Hamlet Act 4 Scene 6

In the beginning of this scene, Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet reporting that he had been captured by pirates at sea but was safe. Besides, Hamlet says that he had much to talk to Horatio about, regarding Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who still are planning to go to England.

Hamlet Act 4 Scene 7

After learning that Hamlet was responsible for Polonius's death, Laertes forms an alliance with Claudius. Hamlet, however, writes to Claudius mockingly informing him that he was back in Denmark. Claudius and Laertes plan on killing Hamlet with Laertes's sword which is to be dipped in poison and Claudius would offer Hamlet, poisoned wine. As they are going on with their plot, Gertrude enters and reports the death of Ophelia.

Hamlet Act 5 Scene 1

This scene introduces the play's dark humor. Gravedigger, a clown talks to his fellow clown about Ophelia who despite having committed suicide, had been offered a Christian burial. Hamlet, who arrives with Horatio meditates on how death levelled the ambitious and the wealthy and also reflects on the inevitability of death. In the end, Hamlet witnesses Ophelia's burial and this does not please him.

Question

Okay, Hamlet, are you really going to be mad at everyone? Can't you see you could be the reason behind Ophelia's death?

Quote

Gertrude says, "Sweets to the sweet: farewell." This means that she scatters sweet flowers on the "Sweet" Ophelia, who is also regarded as the fair one throughout the play.

Hamlet Act 5 Scene 2

Being the final scene, Hamlet informs Horatio that he knew about the King's plan to have him assassinated in England. Hamlet switches the King's letter with one that he wrote himself, ordering that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern be executed, instead. Osric arrives and informs Hamlet of the King's bet on Hamlet's life. Upon taking the challenge, Hamlet wins against Laertes but refuses to drink from the cup poisoned by the king and continues fighting but his mother, Gertrude drinks the poison instead. Hamlet kills Claudius and forces him to drink the rest of the poison that had killed his mother and Claudius dies, Laertes also dies, from the poison, Hamlet stops Horatio from committing suicide and he finally dies in the most famous line, "The rest is silence."

In the end, Fortinbras learns of the assassination of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and how Hamlet had planned for their assassination. He therefore, orders that the bodies be removed and that Hamlet receives a lavish military funeral.

Question

Hamlet, are you really going to mock Osric, who is the only honest one on your planned murder by Claudius? This is insensitive of you.

Quote

Hamlet says, "Give us the foils, Come on." He asks for duelling swords, indicating that he was ready to take out Laertes.