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Line 1: − − The play alludes to the [[Fall of Man]] in the [[Garden of Eden]]. ''Hamlet'' contains requent images of gardens, and the themes of temptation and the loss of innocence. − An allusion is found, for example, in Act I scene v, when the Ghost of Hamlet's father tells Hamlet about his murder: − − T'is given out that, sleeping in my orchard, − − A serpent stung me — so the whole ear of Denmark − − Is by a forged process of my death − − Rankly abus'd — but know, thou noble youth, − − The serpent that did sting thy father's life − − Now wears his crown. − − ''Hamlet'' is also is concerned with [[Shakespeare and abortion|abortion]], though this is rarely acknowledged. That is that Ophelia became pregnant from their affair, but Hamlet refused to be a father to their child. The reference to "rosemary and rue" by Ophelia, it has been suggested, would have indicated to Shakespeare's audience that Ohelia considered terminating her pregnancy using these herbs. The despair and tragedy of Ophelia and Hamlet then ensued.<ref>[https://thebillshakespeareproject.com/2015/05/hamlet-ophelia-and-her-flowers-aftermath/ "Hamlet: Ophelia and her ffowers"]. See also: Lucile F. Newman, "Ophelia's Herbal", ''Economic Botany'', Vol. 33, No. 2 (Apr. - Jun., 1979), pp. 227-232 (6 pages)[https://www.jstor.org/stable/4254050 ]</ref> − Line 51:
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'''''Hamlet''''' is a revenge [[tragedy]] by [[William Shakespeare]]. Written between 1599–1601, it is Shakespeare's longest and most famous play, and possibly one of the most famous works written in the English language, being the subject of more essays than any other work. The tale heavily features the themes procrastination, deterioration, incest, revenge, [[madness]], [[homicide]], and [[suicide]]. Despite the grim topic, ''Hamlet'' contains much humor and numerous lines that are widely repeated to this day.
'''''Hamlet''''' is a revenge [[tragedy]] by [[William Shakespeare]]. Written between 1599–1601, it is Shakespeare's longest and most famous play, and possibly one of the most famous works written in the English language, being the subject of more essays than any other work. The tale heavily features the themes procrastination, deterioration, incest, revenge, [[madness]], [[homicide]], and [[suicide]]. Despite the grim topic, ''Hamlet'' contains much humor and numerous lines that are widely repeated to this day.
==Characters==
==Characters==
*The Ghost — A spirit of the dead King Hamlet
*The Ghost — A spirit of the dead King Hamlet
On the day of the duel, Claudius plots with Laertes to rig the fight. He provides Laertes with a poisoned foil, and places more poison in Hamlet's drink. The two men begin to duel. Hamlet proves to be the superior swordsman, but is eventually slashed by Laertes in between boughts. Hamlet loses his temper and scuffles with Laertes. The two swords are swapped in the confusion, and Hamlet pierces Laertes with the poison blade. Gertrude, to Claudius's horror, drinks from Hamlet's goblet, and is poisoned. Laertes, now dying, reveals Claudius' scheme. Gertrude dies. Hamlet flies into a rage, stabs claudius, and forces him to drink the last of the poison. Claudius dies. Hamlet dies from his wound. Horatio is the only one left. Fortinbras and his invasion force enter the court and see a pile of bodies before them. A messenger proclaims that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Fortinbras proclaims himself ruler, offering a possible glimmer of future stability.
On the day of the duel, Claudius plots with Laertes to rig the fight. He provides Laertes with a poisoned foil, and places more poison in Hamlet's drink. The two men begin to duel. Hamlet proves to be the superior swordsman, but is eventually slashed by Laertes in between boughts. Hamlet loses his temper and scuffles with Laertes. The two swords are swapped in the confusion, and Hamlet pierces Laertes with the poison blade. Gertrude, to Claudius's horror, drinks from Hamlet's goblet, and is poisoned. Laertes, now dying, reveals Claudius' scheme. Gertrude dies. Hamlet flies into a rage, stabs claudius, and forces him to drink the last of the poison. Claudius dies. Hamlet dies from his wound. Horatio is the only one left. Fortinbras and his invasion force enter the court and see a pile of bodies before them. A messenger proclaims that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Fortinbras proclaims himself ruler, offering a possible glimmer of future stability.
==Themes==
''Hamlet'' is also is concerned with [[Shakespeare and abortion|abortion]], though this is rarely acknowledged. That is that Ophelia became pregnant from their affair, but Hamlet refused to be a father to their child. The reference to "rosemary and rue" by Ophelia, it has been suggested, would have indicated to Shakespeare's audience that Ohelia considered terminating her pregnancy using these herbs. The despair and tragedy of Ophelia and Hamlet then ensued.<ref>[https://thebillshakespeareproject.com/2015/05/hamlet-ophelia-and-her-flowers-aftermath/ "Hamlet: Ophelia and her ffowers"]. See also: Lucile F. Newman, "Ophelia's Herbal", ''Economic Botany'', Vol. 33, No. 2 (Apr. - Jun., 1979), pp. 227-232 (6 pages)[https://www.jstor.org/stable/4254050 ]</ref>
==Imagery==
The play alludes to the [[Fall of Man]] in the [[Garden of Eden]]. ''Hamlet'' contains requent images of gardens, and the themes of temptation and the loss of innocence.
An allusion is found, for example, in Act I scene v, when the Ghost of Hamlet's father tells Hamlet about his murder:
T'is given out that, sleeping in my orchard,
A serpent stung me — so the whole ear of Denmark
Is by a forged process of my death
Rankly abus'd — but know, thou noble youth,
The serpent that did sting thy father's life
Now wears his crown.
==Movie Adaptations==
==Movie Adaptations==
Major film versions of the play have starred [[Laurence Olivier]], [[Mel Gibson]], and [[Kenneth Branagh]]. (While both Olivier and Branagh directed and starred in their versions, [[Franco Zeffirelli]] directed the one with Gibson.)
Major film versions of the play have starred [[Laurence Olivier]], [[Mel Gibson]], and [[Kenneth Branagh]]. (While both Olivier and Branagh directed and starred in their versions, [[Franco Zeffirelli]] directed the one with Gibson.)
"Good night, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" <br />
"Good night, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" <br />
-Horatio, Act V, Scene 2
-Horatio, Act V, Scene 2
==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.sullivanet.com/misc/hamlet/haminto.htm Hamlet for the Shakespeare-Impaired]
*[http://www.sullivanet.com/misc/hamlet/haminto.htm Hamlet for the Shakespeare-Impaired]