Hamlet by Shakespeare

A detailed Summary of Hamlet by Shakespeare


Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's best-known plays, tells the tale of a young Danish prince who must uncover the truth about his father's death. Hamlet's uncle Claudius, the King's brother, does the honourable deed and takes control of good King Hamlet's throne and also his queen, Gertrude, after the two are married. As the play unfolds, Hamlet finds out his father was murdered by the recently crowned king. The theme that remains constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality. Things within the play appear to be true and honest but in reality are infested with evil. Many of the characters within the play hide behind a shroud of falseness. Four of the main characters that hide behind these cloaks are Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Claudius. From behind their "masks" they give the impression of a person who is sincere and genuine, in reality they are steeped in lies and evil.

Polonius, friend and assistant to the king, is always concerned with his appearance. He always wants to keep up the appearance of a sweet, gentle person. Polonius appears to be a man who loves and cares about his son, Laertes. He speaks to his son with advice that sounds sincere but in reality it is rehearsed, ho


To be contracted in one brow of woe" (I, ii, ll. 1-4).

When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul

The memory be green, and that it us befitted

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two courtiers of the Danish Royal Court who when asked by the king to find out what is troubling the young prince. Both help to contribute to the theme by showing there appearance of being Hamlet's confidants. The pair approach Hamlet pretending to be his friends when in actuality they are only there because the king asked them to find the truth. There is some irony within the situation because they are asked by the king to find out the truth and they attempt this by hiding within a lie.

That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound

And marshal me to knavery" (III, iv, ll. 202-205).

To give these mourning duties to your father.



Some common words found in the essay are:
Guildenstern Claudius, Claudius King, Polonius Ay, Royal Court, Act Scene, Voltimand Cornelius, King Hamlet's, Norway Claudius, Shakespeare's Hamlet, King England, ii ll, son laertes, contribute theme appearance, true selves, characters hide, claudius speaks, king truth, purpose visit, front council, rosencrantz guildenstern, appearance honourable, father father lost,

Approximate Word count = 1421
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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