William Shakespeare's Hamlet

William Shakespeare's Hamlet

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The action opens after Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, has been summoned

home from his studies at the University of Wittenberg by news of his

father's death and his mother's swift marriage with his father's

brother, Claudius, who has taken the throne. Denmark is on alert

because of a threat from the Norwegian prince, Fortinbras, to invade

Denmark and recover certain territory.

Hamlet is torn by grief, anger at his mother's speedy re-marriage, and

frustration at his uncle's demand that he remain in Denmark rather

than return to his much adored studies. Hamlet has paid court to

Ophelia, the daughter of the lord chamberlain, Polonius, but both

Polonius and Ophelia's brother, Laertes, are sceptical about Hamlet's

sincerity. They wrest Ophelia's promise that she will return the

princes letters and tokens. Apart from his friend Horatio, Hamlet is

alone. Then, Horatio and two officers announce the news that his

father's ghost is wandering the castle. When he confronts the 'ghost'

himself, he is told that his uncle killed his father and that he must

avenge the murder.

Hamlet shows his agitation by using calculated madness. Polonius is

convinced that the Prince is mad because Ophelia has rejected him.