Brief Summary Of Hamlet Act 1

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Summary: In Act I, Scene I, Bernardo, Marcellus and Horatio encounter a ghost and believe it looks like the deceased King Hamlet. They resolve to tell Hamlet’s son -- also named Hamlet -- what they saw. In the next scene, the new king, Claudius, gives a speech about how sorrowful he is over the death of his brother -- King Hamlet -- and his joyous he feels over his new marriage to Gertrude -- King Hamlet’s widow and young Hamlet’s mother. After sending to messengers to tell the king of Norway that the heir to the throne, Fortinbras, is plotting to steal land back from the Danish, Claudius allows a nobleman, Laertes, to take leave to France, but tells Hamlet he must stay with his new family instead of going back to Wittenberg for school. Hamlet …show more content…

In scene 3, Shakespeare introduces Ophelia, the sister of Laertes and a romantic conquest of Hamlet. Laertes warns her to stay away from Hamlet because he feels he will only destroy her honor then dump her. Then, their father, Polonius, walks in and gives Laertes a bunch of advice before he leaves for France. After Laertes leaves, Polonius tells Ophelia to stay far away from Hamlet. Then, the story moves back to Hamlet and the watchmen waiting for the ghost to arrive. When it does, Hamlet goes with him to a more private place, even against the many warnings of Horatio and Marcellus, who think the ghost will drive Hamlet mad. The ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius poisoned him and Hamlet must avenge his death, which Hamlet resolves to …show more content…

For one, it could indicate Hamlet feels he is too much in Claudius’ royal favor and two, he feels sick from being in the sun too long. However, it also operates as a pun because “sun” could also be taken as “son,” indicating Hamlet thinks he is the son of too many people - Gertrude, Claudius and old Hamlet - and resents that. This quote also characterizes Hamlet as witty with a strong control of language. Throughout this selection, Hamlet drops a couple of one liners that go right over his mom and uncle’s heads. The also carries a sarcastic tone, which could suggest Hamlet as a sarcastic or sardonic

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