Hamlet Summary & Key Insights

William Shakespeare's Hamlet follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark, whose life is plunged into turmoil after his father's sudden death and his mother's hasty remarriage to his uncle, Claudius. The ghost of Hamlet's father appears, revealing that Claudius murdered him to seize the throne and marry Gertrude. The ghost tasks Hamlet with avenging his death.

Hamlet, already grappling with grief and disillusionment, is consumed by this revelation. He feigns madness to conceal his plans and observe Claudius's reactions, leading to a series of increasingly dramatic events. His erratic behavior raises suspicion among the court, particularly from Claudius, Polonius (the chief counselor), and Polonius's children, Ophelia (Hamlet's lover) and Laertes (her brother).

Hamlet stages a play, "The Mousetrap," mirroring the circumstances of his father's murder to gauge Claudius's guilt. Claudius's disturbed reaction confirms his crime, prompting Hamlet to attempt to kill him, but he hesitates and instead kills Polonius, believing him to be Claudius. This act further destabilizes the already fragile court.

Polonius's death sets off a chain of tragic events. Laertes, driven by grief and revenge, plots with Claudius to kill Hamlet in a duel. Ophelia, distraught by her father's death and Hamlet's rejection, descends into madness and drowns. During the climactic duel, Gertrude accidentally drinks a poisoned cup intended for Hamlet, and Laertes is fatally wounded by his own poisoned sword. In a final act of revenge, Hamlet kills Claudius before succumbing to the poison himself.

The play concludes with Horatio, Hamlet's loyal friend, tasked with recounting the events to ensure the truth is known. Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway, arrives to claim the Danish throne, observing the devastating consequences of ambition and revenge.

Hamlet explores several overarching themes: revenge, betrayal, mortality, madness, and the corrupting influence of power. The play delves into the psychological complexities of its protagonist, showcasing Hamlet's internal struggles with indecision, moral ambiguity, and the weight of his duty. The intricate plot, compelling characters, and profound themes have secured Hamlet's enduring place as one of Shakespeare's greatest and most influential tragedies. The edition by Richard Andrews and Rex Gibson likely provides scholarly context and analysis enriching the understanding of these aspects, although the core narrative remains consistent with the original play.