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'''''Hamlet''''', perhaps [[William Shakespeare]]'s most famous play, was written {{years ago|1600}} years ago. It is a [[tragedy]] about incest, [[revenge]], [[madness]], [[homicide]], and [[suicide]].

'''''Hamlet''''' is a Jacobean revenge [[tragedy]] about the Danish Prince Hamlet. Written between 1599-1601, it is perhaps [[William Shakespeare]]'s 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]].

As Prince Hamlet investigates, he faces a conspiracy involving schoolmates Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; [[Ophelia]]'s father [[Polonius]]; and even his own mother.  

The Ghost - A spirit of the dead King Hamlet.

 

Claudius - Recently crowned King of Denmark, brother of King Hamlet.

Hamlet's quest to avenge his father's murder destroys his own life and the lives of everyone close to him but a visiting college friend (Horatio).

Gertrude - Widow of King Hamlet

 

Hamlet - Prince, son of King Hamlet and Gertrude

Under normal circumstances, it would be [[treason]]ous to make any accusations of the king. It is only because of Hamlet's position as the son of the Queen that he is able to voice his suspicions. That, and his pretense of being "mad with grief" over his father's recent death. He betrays his suspicions in front of his mother and (step)father in an angry tirade and is watched closely from then on.  

Horatio - Hamlet's life long friend.

 

Polonius - Elderly, pompous advisor to the king

Polonious, the king's adviser, thinks that Hamlet is behaving strangely out of his love for Ophelia and orders her to break off her relationship with Hamlet.

Laertes - Polonius' son

 

Ophelia - Polonius' daughter and lover of Hamlet

Hamlet wonders why his mother would betray her husband and marry his brother only two months after his death. He grows indecisive ("To be or not to be") and unsure about the ghost's story. He comes up with an idea to stage a pantomime play to confirm or deny the story.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - Two buffoonish school friends of Hamlet

[[Image:Ophelia 1894.jpg|right|thumb|''Ophelia'' by John William Waterhouse.]]

Fortinbras - Prince of Norway

:"The play's the thing / Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King."

 

During the play, he makes a nuisance of himself, commenting on the action and teasing Ophelia with [[double-entendre]]s, but he gets confirmation of the ghost's accusation when the King sees a scene showing a man poisoned in his his sleep and clasping the widow in an adulterous embrace. The King orders them to stop the play and storms out.

also: Actors, Courtiers, Guards, Norwegian Soldiers etc.

 

Hamlet confronts his mother (Queen Gertrude) in her bedroom, not knowing that the king's adviser Polonius is hidden behind a wall hanging. Hearing a movement, Hamlet kills the hidden spy; when he discovers that it is his girl friend's father, he hides the body in another part of the castle.

 

 

Hamlet's only friend in the play, his school friend [[Horatio]], is the only major character who is not killed. When Hamlet is behaving strangely (it might not be an act), he tells Horatio, "I am only mad north by northwest" and "There's a method to my madness".  

==Synopsis==

==Synopsis==