Tragedy by William Shakespeare - Essay Example

Hamlet commences with the news of the demise of King Hamlet (Shakespeare line 55). Following this death, Denmark plans a war with the Norwegian Young Fortinbras. King Claudius, a new king of Denmark, marries the late king’s wife, Queen Gertrude; however, Hamlet, the fallen king’s son is not happy with the marriage (Shakespeare 15). Ophelia falls for Hamlet, but Polonius, his father, dismisses it fearing that she will be heartbroken.
Through the ghost of his late father, Hamlet finds out that King Claudius killed his father. The ghost instructs Hamlet to make Claudius pay for his deeds but spare Queen Gertrude. Hamlet dresses badly and Queen Gertrude is displeased by his behaviour and more so because of the demise of his dad and her remarrying. Claudius orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to investigate the reasons for his son-in-law’s unusual behaviour (Shakespeare 41).
Hamlet organizes a play The Murder of Gonzalo in which he reveals the ghost’s words to King Claudius of killing his father. The king behaves in a manner to suggest the words are true. Gertrude tries to stop Hamlet, but he reprimands her for remarrying. Hamlet bashes Polonius while listening to the scolding in arrears of the curtains (Shakespeare 86). The flicker resurfaces Hamlet and instructs him to be gentle to Gertrude. Eventually, the queen ditches King Claudius.
Later King Claudius is stunned by the news of Polonius’ demise (Shakespeare 92). The queen, however, defends Hamlet insinuating he is mad. Now scared, the king sends him to England and reveals his plans to kill him while in England (Shakespeare 95). Ophelia goes angry and later on pass away. The King informs Laertes that Hamlet was responsible for the death of his father, and they plan to kill him at a fencing match.
During Ophelia’s funeral, Hamlet communicates to Horatio how he escaped his planned death in England, and in its place Rosencrantz as well as Guildenstern died (Shakespeare). Hamlet also says that he wanted to devour King Claudius Killed. The Queen perishes from drinking festering cup predestined for Hamlet (Shakespeare 140). Laertes poisoned sword cuts Hamlet hurdles against Laertes but, while about to die, Hamlet stabs Claudius with Laertes’ sword; instructs Horatio to reveal the story, and recommends Young Fortinbras as Denmark’s next King (Shakespeare line 142).
Significance of Act 1 Scene 1
This scene is vital in the play as helps in the establishment of not only the tone of the play but also the background situation of the play set. This is essential as normally there are no lights to dim in order to commence the play; as such characters come to the stage and start talking. This scene is also critical in that it provides a stage for Horatio to offer explanations to the guards regarding the increased presence of the military in the castle. Read More