hamlet

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays and a famous tragedy in world literature. It’s a dark story about revenge, mixing violence with introspection, and subtlety with surprising plot twists. The play remains culturally relevant through many stage and film adaptations.

Prince Hamlet mourns his father’s death and resents his mother Gertrude for quickly marrying his uncle Claudius. When his father’s ghost appears, revealing that Claudius poisoned him, Hamlet vows revenge but hesitates, fearing deception by the Devil. To confuse Claudius, Hamlet pretends to be mad.

Claudius, suspicious of Hamlet’s behavior, hires Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him. Hamlet realizes this and acts mad around them. Polonius believes Hamlet’s madness is due to his love for Ophelia, but Hamlet, thinking everyone has turned against him, treats her coldly.

To test Claudius, Hamlet stages a play mirroring the ghost’s story, and Claudius's reaction confirms his guilt. When Hamlet confronts Gertrude and hears someone behind the curtain, he stabs the person, thinking it’s Claudius—but it’s Polonius. Fearing for his life, Claudius sends Hamlet to England with secret orders for his execution, but Hamlet outsmarts him, leading to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s deaths instead.

Back in Denmark, Hamlet learns Ophelia has died, possibly by suicide, and her brother Laertes wants revenge. Claudius arranges a poisoned duel between Hamlet and Laertes. In the chaotic fight, Hamlet, Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius all die—Hamlet kills Claudius before dying from his own poisoned wound.