The texts, sources and performance history of Hamlet Bernardo relieves Francisco Marcellus brings in Horatio for a ghostly consultation The ghost is here! Horatio’s theory: it’s about Norway The ghost is back! They agree to tell Hamlet about the ghost
Claudius thanks everyone for going along with the marriage Claudius sends Voltemand and Cornelius to deal with Norway Polonius wants Claudius’ permission to go to France Get over it, Hamlet / You’re not my real dad! Gertrude convinces Hamlet not to go back to Wittenberg Hamlet’s soliloquy about why he’s angry at Claudius and Gertrude … [Read more…]
Hamlet hates the Danish reputation for drunkenness Hamlet sees the ghost Horatio and the guards try to keep Hamlet from going with the ghost Catholics, Protestants and ghosts The ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius killed him Hamlet vows to remember the ghost’s command Hamlet swears his friends to secrecy Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on … [Read more…]
Claudius and Gertrude assign Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to investigate Hamlet’s behavior Voltemand and Cornelius announce that the Norwegian troubles are over Polonius floats a theory about Hamlet’s madness Polonius examines Hamlet Rosencrantz and Guildenstern approach Hamlet Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell Hamlet about the actors Hamlet welcomes the actors The fall of Troy speech Hamlet plans … [Read more…]
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report back to Claudius and Gertrude Polonius and Claudius set Ophelia as bait and hide Hamlet wonders why he’s afraid to act Ophelia returns Hamlet’s gifts Hamlet goes off on Ophelia Ophelia laments Hamlet’s transformation Claudius is shaken Hamlet gives the actors some acting advice Hamlet and Horatio plan for the play … [Read more…]
Claudius tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England Claudius confesses the murder but can’t repent Hamlet sneaks up on Claudius but can’t go through with his revenge Hamlet confronts Gertrude Hamlet stabs Polonius through the arras The ghost reappears Hamlet begs Gertrude to stay away from Claudius Gertrude reports Polonius’ death to Claudius … [Read more…]
Hamlet meets the Norwegian army Hamlet feels like a dope compared to Fortinbras Ophelia goes crazy Laertes is back from France and he’s angry Claudius insists he’s innocent of Polonius’ death Laertes sees what’s happened to Ophelia Ophelia hands out flowers Hamlet sends a sailor to summon Horatio Claudius explains that Hamlet killed Polonius A … [Read more…]
The gravediggers dig and riddle Hamlet thinks about what’s left after death Hamlet and the gravedigger trade wits Hamlet faces his old friend Yorick’s skull Ophelia’s funeral procession arrives Laertes wants the priest to give Ophelia full rites Hamlet interrupts the funeral Hamlet and Laertes fight in Ophelia’s grave
Hamlet tells Horatio about Claudius’ plot and his pirate adventures Osric delivers the challenge, and Hamlet mocks him mercilessly Hamlet is ready to die Hamlet apologizes to Laertes Hamlet and Laertes fence Claudius poisons the wine, and Gertrude drinks it and dies Laertes stabs Hamlet, and Hamlet returns the favor Laertes reveals the treachery, and … [Read more…]
“To Be Or Not To Be” is the most famous speech Shakespeare ever wrote, maybe the most famous speech anybody ever wrote. And it’s about Hamlet contemplating suicide, right? Think again. In this excerpt from Clear Shakespeare, Akiva Fox blows open 400 years of conventional wisdom.