Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Hamlet is a play that is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature ever written. It tells the story of a young prince, Hamlet, who is consumed by grief and revenge after learning that his father has been murdered by his own uncle, Claudius, who then marries his mother, Queen Gertrude. The play explores themes of betrayal, madness, revenge, and mortality, and delves deep into the human psyche.

The play is divided into five acts, each one consisting of several scenes. Act I sets the stage for the play, introducing the characters and the setting. We learn about the state of Denmark, the political situation, and the characters’ relationships with each other. We also learn that Hamlet is in mourning for his father, who has recently died, and that he is deeply troubled by his mother’s hasty remarriage to his uncle.

Act II is where we see Hamlet’s growing obsession with his father’s death and his desire for revenge. He begins to suspect foul play and decides to feign madness in order to investigate the matter further. Meanwhile, his relationship with Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius, becomes strained and eventually ends. In this act, we also see the introduction of the character of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet's childhood friends, whom he suspects of being in league with Claudius.

Act III is the turning point of the play, as Hamlet stages a play within a play to confirm his suspicions about his uncle’s guilt. The play depicts a murder similar to that of Hamlet’s father, and Claudius’s reaction reveals his guilt. Hamlet confronts his mother about her role in the murder and accidentally kills Polonius in a fit of rage. This act is also where we see the famous soliloquy, "To be or not to be," in which Hamlet contemplates the meaning of life and death.

Act IV deals with the consequences of Hamlet’s actions, as he is sent away to England but manages to escape and return to Denmark. Meanwhile, Ophelia’s madness and eventual suicide add to the tragedy of the play. This act also sees the return of Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, who seeks to reclaim the lands that his father lost to Denmark.

The final act, Act V, is the climax of the play, as the various plotlines come together in a dramatic conclusion. Hamlet duels with Laertes, the brother of Ophelia, who seeks revenge for his family’s deaths. In the end, almost all of the main characters die, leaving the throne of Denmark to Fortinbras, the prince of Norway. This act is also where we see the famous line, "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio," as Hamlet reflects on the mortality of all men.

Overall, Hamlet is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the depths of the human experience. Its themes of love, revenge, and mortality continue to resonate with audiences today, making it one of Shakespeare’s most enduring plays. The play is a masterpiece of English literature that continues to captivate readers and audiences alike, and its influence can be seen in countless works of art and literature that have followed it.