Shakespeare Closely Read

Hamlet finishes confronting his mother.  The king contrives to send Hamlet away to England and there have him murdered.  Hamlet encounters Fortinbras' army and contrasts his resolve and purpose with his own lack of action.

Having seen proof of his father's murder, Hamlet still decides not to take his revenge since Claudius is praying.  Hamlet mistakes Polonius for a rat (understandably) and kills him.  Hamlet confronts his mother and sees the ghost.

The play within the play whereby Hamlet catches the conscience of the king.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern try to treat Hamlet like a recorder, and although they may fret him, they shall not play upon him.

Two great speeches of Hamlet, lamenting his inability to act.  To be or not to be!

Hamlet meets this "old friends" Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and immediately determines they were sent to spy on him.  We meet the players, hear a dramatic reading of the Fall of Troy, and see Hamlet admonish Polonius to use men according to his own honour and dignity - not as they deserve.

 More bad advice and actions from Polonius.  We meet the tools Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Hamlet encounters his father's ghost and learns of his murder by Claudius.

Hamlet hears of his father's ghost and the Polonius family gives and receives (bad) advice amongst themselves.

We begin Act 1, Scene 2, meeting King Claudius and Queen Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. Hamlet's first great speech, showing his grief over his father's death and his mother's marriage to his uncle. Hamlet resolves to hold his tongue.

Welcome to Shakespeare closely read, a study guide to Shakespeare's great plays and other great works in the public domain.  This first episode introduces Hamlet and covers Act 1, Scene 1.  The Ghost enters!