Man delights not me: Shakespeare's Hamlet

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is probably the most famous play in the English language. One reason for its continued popularity is its seemingly “modern” rendering of individual psychology and motivation. Although there is plenty of onstage action, the play’s emphasis is really on internal battles: Hamlet’s struggle with himself, his indecisiveness and inability to act in ethically complicated situations make it an ideal text for multiple interpretations.

The following is a quick n’ dirty synopsis of the play’s plot. It should help with any major trouble you may have in reading the play. If you want a more detailed, act-by-act and scene-by-scene description you can look here, but I don’t think that will be necessary as Almereyda makes extensive cuts and revisions in the play.

Hamlet, the son of the King of Denmark, has come home to Castle Elsinore for his father’s funeral. Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, has married the former King’s brother, Claudius--who is now himself King. Hamlet is still mourning his father’s death and visibly disturbed and depressed over his mother’s remarriage. He doesn’t like Claudius and he’s acting weird around his girlfriend, Ophelia. Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, and father, the Lord Chamberlain Polonius, warn her that Hamlet might be only playing with her affections.

The neighboring kingdom of Norway (specifically Prince Fortinbras) is threatening to invade. One night, some watchmen see a ghost resembling King Hamlet. Hamlet and his closest friend Horatio talk to it and learn that his father was murdered by Claudius---by having poison poured in his ear. The ghost wants Hamlet to avenge him but he’s not entirely sure how best to get this revenge.

Claudius and Gertrude notice Hamlet’s increasing anti-social behavior (or madness) and they appoint two of his school mates, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him. Claudius is worried that Hamlet suspects something. Polonius on the other hand, bumblingly thinks Hamlet is just moody and lovesick for Ophelia. He, too, spies on Hamlet and Ophelia to report back to Claudius. Hamlet breaks with Ophelia.

Hamlet decides to trick Claudius into betraying himself by staging a play which recreates the murder of King Hamlet. The play upsets Claudius, clinching Hamlet’s resolve, but when he goes to kill him, Claudius is in prayer and Hamlet cannot follow through. He then confronts his mother and hearing a noise behind her bedroom curtain, stabs at it, thinking it Claudius. He has, however, killed Polonius. Claudius sends him back to England, ostensibly for his own safety, but in reality he’s also sent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with orders for his death.

Ophelia, already upset by Hamlet’s rebuff, now goes mad in grief at her father’s murder. She drowns, perhaps a suicide. Laertes, her brother and Polonius’s son, returns in a rage from France, demanding that Claudius punish Hamlet. Hamlet sends word that he’s returning, and realizing his plot didn’t work, Claudius hatches a new one with Laertes: to challenge Hamlet to a fencing match. Laertes will bring a poisoned blade; Claudius will provide a poisoned cup. During the match, Gertrude drinks from the poisoned cup instead and Laertes fatally wounds Hamlet, but is himself wounded with his own sword. As he dies, he tells Hamlet about Claudius’s plot and Hamlet kills Claudius. Hamlet dies begging his dear friend Horatio to tell the story. Fortinbras and his army enter the castle to begin a new regime.