Hamlet Summary and Analysis

Setting:

Elsinore, capitol of Denmark

Characters:

Hamlet
Horatio
Claudius
Gertrude
Polonius
Ophelia
Laertes
Ghost
Rosencrantz
Guildenstern
Players
Fortinbras

Plot:

Hamlet follows the plot of a Seneca revenge tragedy:

"There is a secret murder, usually of a good ruler by a bad one/ The murdered man's ghost visits a younger kinsman, generally a son/ The murderer and avenger plot against each other. Often, disguise is involved, and there are several casualties/ The play ends in a bloodbath, often including the death of the avenger"

"There is a secret murder, of [old Hamlet] by [Claudius]/ [old Hamlet]'s ghost visits [young Hamlet]/ [Claudius] and [young Hamlet] plot against each other. There are several casualties/ The play ends in a bloodbath, including the death of [young Hamlet]"

Quotes:

 - Claudius: My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: words without thoughts never to heaven go.

Through Claudius, Shakespeare is conveying the message that prayers offered without real intent aren't able to reach divine ears. In other words: God doesn't listen to fakers.


 - Hamlet: Denmark's a prison.

This statement is an externalization of Hamlet's internal makeup. His prison is made up of his attitude about life. As the rightful heir to the throne, Hamlet uses synechdoche to refer to himself as Denmark. So wherever he goes, whether it be Elsinore, Denmark, or elsewhere, he will always feel imprisoned due to his tortured mind.

Theme Statement:

Shakespeare's Hamlet cautions that self-doubt paired with moral corruption can lead to the subversion of providence.