Summary and Analysis

Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

The play opens late at night at the sentinels’ quarters in Elsinore, the Danish king’s castle. Barnardo, the new sentinel, comes to relieve his friend Francisco of his duty. Soon, Marcellus and Horatio make an appearance at the quarters. Marcellus is a sentinel, whereas Horatio is a scholar and a good friend of Hamlet’s. The castle is covered in thick fog, and people are unable to see each other clearly. The conversation between the characters indicates the gloom and feeling of uncertainty that surrounds the castle. Horatio enquires about the ghost, which the others have sighted but he is skeptical about. Barnardo begins to tell the tale of the apparition to Marcellus and Horatio when the ghost makes an appearance again. They all marvel at the similarity between the ghost and the now dead king of Denmark. The sentinels urge Horatio, a well-read man, to speak to the ghost. The ghost moves away from the men as Horatio asks it for its identity. Horatio remarks that the appearance of the ghost is a warning that something terrible is about to befall the kingdom. They say that the state should remain on guard against attack from enemies, especially from Norway. Young Fortinbras, son of the late king of Norway, wants to avenge his father’s death who was killed by the late King Hamlet in a battle.

The ghost reappears and moves toward Horatio, who asks it to speak to them about the future of Denmark. He asks the ghost if there is something they could do to appease it. As dawn breaks, the ghost disappears and the men are disappointed that they couldn’t gather any information from the apparition. Horatio requests the sentinels to accompany him to Prince Hamlet’s chambers. They decide to tell the prince about the ghost.

Act 1, Scene 1 Analysis

The question that sets the play rolling is “who’s there?” The fear and tentativeness contained in the question also set up the play’s atmosphere: fearful, doubtful, and dark. Although it might seem like an innocent question exchanged between the sentinels to identify themselves, it hints at the unsettled state of affairs in Denmark. It also highlights “identity” as a key theme in the play. The ghost’s multiple appearances signify another important theme: the discord between appearance versus reality.

Horatio rightly predicts that the ghost is a bad omen. The audience is finally introduced to Hamlet toward the end of the scene; he is described as a man of thought and introspection. Hamlet’s character is in stark contrast to Fortinbras’, who acts quickly and seems ever-ready to avenge his father’s death and reclaim his land.

Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

This scene takes place inside Elsinore. Claudius, the new king, is holding court and is accompanied by his queen, Gertrude, his son Hamlet, his councilor Polonius, and Polonius’ children, Ophelia and Laertes. Other members of the court are also in attendance. In a long monologue, Claudius expresses grief over his brother’s death, but mentions that they cannot afford to grieve further given the imminent threat from the Danish army. He also cites this as the reason for marrying Gertrude immediately after the king’s death. He sends an order to the king of Norway to stop Fortinbras from attacking Denmark.

Gertrude and Claudius chastise Hamlet for still wearing black, the color of mourning, and for continuing to grieve his father’s death. They attempt to impress upon him that death is natural and that it is time for him to look toward the future. They demand that he stay back and take a high position in the court rather than returning to school. He tells Gertrude that he would obey her orders and stay back in Denmark.

After others leave to celebrate his stay in the kingdom, Hamlet, in a monologue, expresses his grief and confusion. He also blames his mother for her hasty decision to remarry soon after her husband’s death. The sentinels and Horatio enter. Hamlet is happy to see his friend Horatio, who informs Hamlet of the ghost who strongly resembles the dead king. He urges Hamlet to try to find ways to communicate with the ghost. Hamlet is surprised and wonders if the ghost might bear any news of foul play.

Act 1, Scene 2 Analysis

Unlike Hamlet, others at the court are not overwhelmed by grief at the king’s death. Claudius’ dealings in the court suggest that he is ready to move on and take control. The idea of a “strong” nation and a strong king also reappears, as he discusses his plan to deal with the threat from Norway.

The conversation between Gertrude and Hamlet is quite layered: when she says “it is common,” one might understand it to mean that it is common for death to befall a king. However, it might also refer to her marriage to Claudius. She does not want Hamlet to be troubled by the new relationships around him.

When Horatio mentions the ghost, Hamlet sees an opportunity to divert his mind into something more productive. His rumination about whether the ghost might be aware any foul play shows that he does not trust his uncle.

Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

Laertes prepares to sail to France to continue his studies with the blessing of the king and the court. Before leaving, he warns his sister Ophelia to keep her honor intact and not accept the proposal of a brooding man like Hamlet.

Later, Polonius, her father, also urges her to turn down Hamlet; he tells her that Hamlet would not make a trustworthy partner. Ophelia tells him that she trusts Hamlet, but finally relents and agrees to turn him down.

Act 1, Scene 3 Analysis

This scene establishes that despite the connection between Ophelia and Hamlet, Ophelia does not act on it due to her father and brother’s disapproval. They link her sexuality to family honor and reputation. This scene also focuses on Polonius’ treacherous nature. Both Polonius and Laertes do not seem to be aware individuals; they do not seem to care much for Ophelia’s feelings either. Both Laertes and Polonius tell her that Hamlet cannot be trusted, and, being a dutiful daughter, she pays heed to their words.

Act 1, Scene 4 Summary

Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus are seen standing on the ramparts waiting for the ghost to reappear. Upon hearing sounds of celebration and revelry from the castle, Hamlet remarks that this merry attitude might lead Denmark’s ruin. He says that such behavior reflects poorly on the state.

The ghost appears, and Hamlet tries to speak to it. The ghost gestures and asks Hamlet to follow him. Horatio and Marcellus attempt to restrain him, but Hamlet tells them that he has nothing to lose and that he does not fear anyone. He draws his sword to get the other two to release him. He follows the ghost, and Marcellus and Horatio decide to follow the prince closely to ensure his safety. Marcellus, once again, remarks that there is something rotten about the kingdom.

Act 1, Scene 4 Analysis

The revelry and celebration remind Hamlet that others have moved on and forgotten about his deceased father. Hamlet, on the other hand, is suicidal and questions the meaning and purpose of life. Marcellus, too, is convinced that the ghost’s appearance and the unsettling feeling within the kingdom are a reflection of the rottenness that pervades the kingdom.

Act 1, Scene 5 Summary

Hamlet follows the ghost, who admits that he is indeed his father’s spirit. The ghost informs Hamlet that he will soon return to Purgatory. However, before leaving, he reveals the truth to Hamlet and asks him to seek revenge. He tells Hamlet that his father’s death was “almost unnatural.” He goes on to narrate the manner in which Claudius murdered him. The ghost informs Hamlet that Claudius had poured poison in the king’s ears as he slept in the orchard. The poison quickly curdled King Hamlet’s blood, leading to his death. The ghost also asks Hamlet to protect the throne from indulgence and incest. Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s murder. He prohibits Marcellus and Horatio from divulging anything about the appearance of the ghost, and swears them to secrecy. Hamlet also takes care to conceal the information shared by the ghost from Marcellus and Horatio. In confidence, Hamlet tells Horatio that he will feign madness in the coming days so that he may spy on his mother and uncle.

Act 1, Scene 5 Analysis

The ghost reveals all to Hamlet and asks him to avenge his father’s murder. This shows the importance of honor as a value. Hamlet is driven by passion, and promises to avenge his father’s death. His sense of urgency, however, fades as the play progresses. The Biblical reference to the serpent suggests the magnitude of the betrayal experienced by the late king. The serpent, therefore, also becomes a symbol of disloyalty.