Study Guide by Arpita Karwa
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
miserable and downhearted when he is alone. He has
suicidal thoughts and starts doubting if the ghost was
really his father. He loses trust in everyone and senses
fraud everywhere. He sees the ghost again. The ghost
tells him that he is his father and that Claudius killed
him by pouring poison in his ear.
A team of actors arrive at the castle. Hamlet and Horatio
m
make a plan to test Claudius’s guilt. On their request,
the actors put up an act that mimics Hamlet’s father’s
murder. When Claudius sees the scene of the King being
murdered by poison being poured in his ear, he gets up
co
William Shakespeare’s longest play, ‘The Tragedy of and leaves the room. To Hamlet, it is now confirmed
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark’ is often shortened to that Claudius killed his father.
‘Hamlet’. First performed around 1600, Hamlet is widely
regarded as one of the most powerful works of literature After the play, Hamlet and Gertrude meet. Hamlet
ever written. The play progresses as Prince Hamlet takes condemns her for marrying Claudius and tells her that
and married his mother, Gertrude.
a.
revenge from his uncle, Claudius, who murdered his father Claudius can’t be compared to his father. Gertrude tells
Hamlet that he is making her feel guilty. Polonius is in
the room eavesdropping their conversation, hidden
w
A ghost appears at the Elsinore Castle, the official behind a tapestry. Hamlet, thinking it is Claudius, stabs
residence of Denmark’s royalty. A few soldiers see it and him.
decide to tell Hamlet about it. The ghost resembles
Hamlet’s father, who was the king of Denmark. He was Hamlet’s instances of insanity rise. Claudius sends him
r
murdered by his brother, Claudius, who after murdering to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet
him, married his wife Gertrude and usurped the throne. learns that Claudius has asked the King of England to
ka
Mourning, Hamlet feels disgusted by his mother’s kill him as a diplomatic favour. He tweaks the orders
insensitivity and her decision to marry Claudius. which now requires the killing of Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern on the ship. This causes confusion and
Hamlet believes it was his father who had come as a ghost taking its advantage, Hamlet escapes and returns to
to persuade him to take revenge for his death. Hamlet Denmark.
ta
makes a plan to kill Claudius and takes his friend Horatio
in confidence. The plan is that he will pretend to be mad. Ophelia becomes insane after the murder of Polonius
© Copyright 2020 by Arpita Karwa Education Pvt Ltd
and eventually, she drowns herself. Hamlet reaches her
Apparently, Hamlet and Ophelia have a love affair. funeral and realises how much he loved her. Laertes
pi
Ophelia is the daughter of King’s chief counsellor, plans to take revenge from Hamlet for murdering his
Polonius — he and his son Laertes convince Ophelia that father. He wants to duel with him using a poisoned
Hamlet’s love is not true and that she should stop sword and if that doesn’t kill him, he intends to kill him
interacting with him. Ophelia agrees and stops meeting by poisoned wine.
ar
Hamlet.
Both Hamlet and Laertes get severely injured. In the
Hamlet starts pretending to be crazy. This makes everyone midst of their fight, their swords get exchanged. Hamlet
in the court wonder what could be the reason. Claudius not knowing that Laertes’s sword is poisoned hits him
and Gertrude summon Hamlet’s school mates with it. Meanwhile, Gertrude unknowingly drinks the
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to talk to him and find out poisoned wine and dies. Laertes confesses it was his plan
the real reason behind Hamlet’s crazy behaviour. and blames Claudius for provoking him. He seeks
Hamlet’s apology before he dies. Hamlet asks Claudius
While Hamlet is acting like a mad hat outside, he feels to drink the poisoned wine and kills him.
To Join UGC NET Online Course Call/Whatsapp +91 7976603731
Study Guide by Arpita Karwa
Having been hit by the poisoned sword, Hamlet
© Copyright 2020 by Arpita Karwa Education Pvt Ltd
is at the verge of dying. He asks Horatio to tell
everyone what actually happened and dies in his
arms. Fortinbras, the King of Norway, arrives in
Denmark to meet Claudius. On learning about
the course of events that led to the end of the
Danish royal family, he takes over Denmark
and becomes the ruler.
m
co
a.
r w
ka
ta
pi
ar
1 of 2
To Join UGC NET Online Course Call/Whatsapp +91 7976603731
Study Guide by Arpita Karwa
Mind Map
Father
m
co
Laertes
Loyal brash;
dedicated youth
Ophelia
Symbol of purity;
Horatio
Intelligent,
creative student Loyal
Friends
a. Murders
Love
driven to madness
Father
w
interst
Murders
r
ka
Uncle
Hamlet Polonius
Tormented prince; grieving Aged counselor;
Murders full of advice
over his father's death
ta
TheClaudius
Good Angel
Corrupt king;
rules without a conscience
Father
pi
ar
Ghost
The spirit of King Hamlet;
forced to wander the earth
Copyright & Legal Infringement Clause:
The en�re content and materials contained in this PDF including, but not limited to images, text, graphics and mind maps are owned by Arpita Karwa
Educa�on Pvt Ltd to the fullest extent under the copyright & other proprietary laws of India and other countries. You cannot upload, post, reproduce,
republish, recomplile, disassemble, modify, transmit, distribute, copy, publicly display or create deriva�ve works from, any Content of this PDF (in its en�rety
or in any part). Viola�on of this restric�on may result in infringement of intellectual property and contractual rights of Arpita Karwa Educa�on Pvt Ltd, which
is prohibited by law and could result in stringent legal ac�on under civil and criminal law in force.
