Hamlet:
A Summary
Act 1
Act 2
Hamlet encounters Ophelia
King Hamlet has died
after speaking with the
ghost and upsets her. She
tells her father.
His brother, Claudius, has
taken the throne and married
Queen Gertrude
King Hamlet's ghost has been
seen walking the castle walls
Polonius tells Claudius and
Gertrude that Hamlet is mad
because he is in love with
Ophelia
by his father's death and his
mother's hasty marriage
Ophelia, is warned by her
brother, Laertes, and her
father, Polonius, that she
should not encourage Hamlet.
Hamlet's friend, Horatio,
shows him the ghost of his
father
The ghost tells Hamlet that
Claudius killed him and that
Hamlet must avenge him
Claudius and Polonius spy
on Hamlet while Ophelia
returns his gifts after being
told what to say by her
father.
Hamlet knows Ophelia is
lying to him and suspects
they are being watched so
treats her harshly and
threatens Claudius.
Claudius speaks with
Gertrude and discovers
Hamlet has killed Polonius.
Act 5
Arriving back in Denmark
Hamlet speaks to a gravedigger who is digging
Ophelia's grave.
Ros and Guil are sent to
As the funeral party arrives
find Hamlet but he accuses
Hamlet, in sudden grief,
them of manipulating him
begins to scuffle with
and working for Claudius.
Laertes.
Claudius decides to send
Hamlet is brought before
Back at home Hamlet tells
friends, Rosencrantz and
Hamlet back to England
Claudius who tells him he is
Horatio of his escape from
Guildenstern, to discover
having understood he is a
being sent to England. Ros
the ship with pirates and
what is making Hamlet mad.
threat.
and Guil are to go with him.
the fate of Ros and Guil.
Polonius. Hamlet feigns
madness but also makes fun
of Polonius who can't follow
his wordplay.
Ros and Guil speak with
Hamlet and he detects they
have been sent by Claudius
The court watch the play
Once alone Claudius exposes
which depicts a situation
that he is sending a letter
very similar to the murder
instructing the English King
and remarriage.
to kill Hamlet on arrival.
While Gertrude is oblivious
Claudius is shocked by the
play and runs from the
room.
Despite knowing they will
After the play Polonius
report to Claudius Hamlet
suggests he should spy on
partially confides in Ros
Hamlet again while Gertrude
and Guil
speaks with him.
A troupe of actors arrive
and Hamlet asks them to
perform a play which he
will alter.
Hamlet swears to avenge his
Hamlet considers why he
father and swears Horatio
hasn't been able to carry out
to secrecy
his vengeance
Hamlet decides he will use
the play to test Claudius's
guilt
poisoned drink as back up.
realises he should have acted
despite Horatio's warning
sooner and vows to do so in
believing whatever will
future.
happen will happen.
Ophelia goes mad after her
In the match Hamlet is
father's death and Laertes
winning and Gertrude drinks
returns seeking vengeance
to his skill but it is the
against Claudius, who he
poisoned cup. Claudius lets
blames.
this happen.
him not realising Claudius
responsible but will help
refuses to repent but still
Laertes find who is and
feigns the act.
punish them.
through the aris.
with a poison sword and
challenge to a fencing match
down by indicating he is not
spying, is Claudius stabs him
Hamlet in a fencing match
soldiers going to war and
Hamlet chooses not to kill
thinking Polonius, once again
prepare a plan to kill
Hamlet accepts Laertes
Claudius calms Laertes
mother's chambers and
Claudius and Laertes
While leaving Hamlet sees
While Claudius is praying
Hamlet reports to his
This has been an
infographic by Mr Young
Act 4
Claudius asks Hamlet's
Hamlet is approached by
Prince Hamlet is depressed
Act 3
Laertes hits Hamlet with the
poison sword. The scuffle
and swap swords and
Laertes is also poisoned.
Gertrude informs Laertes
As he dies Laertes exposes
that Ophelia has drowned
Claudius. Gertrude succumbs
after possibly throwing
to the poison and Hamlet
herself into a river.
kills Claudius.
Hamlet challenges his
Having redirected Laertes
mother's betrayal. The
vengeance to Hamlet,
Ghost appears to calm him
Claudius learns Hamlet is
down but Gertrude has
returning so plots his death
already realised some truths.
with Laertes.
As Hamlet dies he asks
Horatio to tell his story. A
rival king comes and ensures
Hamlet is buried as a hero.