Hamlet Plot Diagram

Denmark has a long-standing feud with neighboring Norway, which began when King Hamlet slew King Fortinbras of Norway in a battle, years ago. Although Denmark defeated Norway, and the Norwegian throne fell to King Fortinbras' brother, Denmark fears that an invasion led by the dead Norwegian king's son, Prince Fortinbras, is likely to take place.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is home from school to mourn the death of his father, King Hamlet, who has died two months earlier. Hamlet is disgusted by the marriage of his newly widowed mother, Queen Gertrude, to his Uncle, King Hamlet’s brother, Claudius, who now has the throne.

Shortly thereafter, a ghost has appeared to guards on nightly watch as well as Hamlet’s good friend, Horatio, who thinks the spirit has a likeness to the former King Hamlet, Prince Hamlet's father. When prompted to speak by Horatio, the ghost will not. Horatio asks Hamlet to wait for the ghost and see if it will speak to him. When the prince confronts his father, the ghost signals Hamlet to follow him and reveals that his brother Claudius poisoned him in the ear. Unable to confess the nature of his death, the late king is now consigned, for a time, to spend his days in Purgatory and walk the earth by night. Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s murder and plans to affect madness from there on.

Meanwhile, Laertes, son to the king’s advisor Polonius is set to return to France. Before he leaves, he tells Ophelia, his sister, to be wary of Hamlet’s affections towards her. Polonius gives Laertes advice on how to act abroad and orders Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet.

Hamlet feels he must revenge his father. However, he struggles with the authenticity of the ghost, and indecision about his actions.

Conflict: Man vs. Himself

Hamlet’s sanity begins to be questioned by all. Claudius and Gertrude are both concerned; Polonius suggests it is Ophelia’s rejection of his advances. Polonius forces Ophelia to return Hamlet's love letters and tokens of affection to the prince, while he and Claudius watch from afar to evaluate Hamlet's reaction. In their encounter, Hamlet accuses her of immodesty, though it is unclear whether this, too, is a show of madness or genuine distress. His reaction convinces Claudius that Hamlet is not mad for love. Claudius further employs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two childhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him further. Hamlet quickly realizes their intentions.

A troupe of players happens to be in town and Hamlet utilizes the actors to determine the validity of his father’s murder. He will have them perform the very act of murder, killing a king through poison in the ear, which the ghost has claimed. He asks Horatio to watch Claudius’ reaction throughout the play. While the court is watching, Claudius is enraged and leaves the play convincing Hamlet that he is the murderer.

Hamlet comes upon Claudius in the chapel, kneeling down to pray. He considers killing him then and there, but since Claudius is in mid-prayer, and will, therefore go to heaven if he dies, Hamlet decides to wait until Claudius is committing some sin so that he will go to hell like Hamlet’s father before him.

Hamlet meets Gertrude in her room and an argument ensues. When he hears Polonius who is hiding behind the curtain shout for help, he stabs him wildly thinking it is Claudius, but soon realizes his mistake. In a rage, Hamlet brutally insults his mother for her apparent ignorance of Claudius's villainy, but the ghost appears and reminds Hamlet to focus on avenging the late king's death. Hamlet leaves, dragging Polonius's corpse away.

Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, whose father’s lands were seized by the late king, decides to head to Denmark. Claudius demands that Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern head for England. Claudius has sent a letter with them ordering Hamlet’s execution during the trip. While at sea, however, Hamlet discovers Claudius's letter with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's belongings and replaces it with a forged copy indicating that his former friends should be hung instead. Hamlet returns to Denmark.

Back at Elsinore, Laertes returns from France, hearing that his father Polonius was murdered and that his sister Ophelia has gone mad with grief. Claudius convinces Laertes that Hamlet is solely responsible, but a letter soon arrives indicating that Hamlet has returned to Denmark, foiling Claudius's plan. Claudius proposes a fencing match between Laertes and Hamlet to settle their differences. Laertes will be given a poison-tipped foil, and Claudius will offer Hamlet poisoned wine as a congratulation if that fails. Gertrude interrupts to report that Ophelia has drowned, though it is unclear whether it was suicide or an accident exacerbated by her madness.

Horatio has received a letter from Hamlet, explaining that the prince escaped by negotiating with pirates who attempted to attack his England-bound ship, and the friends reunite offstage. Two gravediggers discuss Ophelia's apparent suicide while digging her grave. Hamlet arrives with Horatio and converses with one of the gravediggers, who unearths the skull of a jester from Hamlet's childhood, Yorick. Ophelia's funeral procession approaches, led by Laertes. Hamlet and Horatio initially hide, but when Hamlet realizes that Ophelia is the one being buried, he reveals himself, finally proclaiming his love for her. Laertes and Hamlet feud by Ophelia's graveside, but the fight is soon broken up.

A courtier, Osric, delivers the fencing challenge to Hamlet. Hamlet accepts it. Hamlet does well at first, leading the match by two hits to none, and Gertrude raises a toast to him using the poisoned glass of wine Claudius had set aside for Hamlet. Claudius tries to stop her but is too late: she drinks and Laertes realizes the plot will be revealed. Laertes slashes Hamlet with his poisoned blade. In the ensuing battle, they switch weapons and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the poisoned sword. Gertrude collapses and, claiming she has been poisoned, dies.

In his dying moments, Laertes reconciles with Hamlet and reveals Claudius's plan. Hamlet rushes at Claudius and kills him. As the poison takes effect, Hamlet, hearing that Fortinbras is marching through the area, names the Norwegian prince as his successor. Horatio, afraid at the thought of being the last survivor and living while Hamlet does not, says he will commit suicide by drinking the remaining of Gertrude's poisoned wine. Hamlet begs Horatio to live on for it's the bond between them that ensures Hamlet that his friend would be capable of telling his tragic story. Prince Fortinbras, in his first act as King of Denmark, orders a funeral with full military honors for slain Prince Hamlet.

Climax

Act 4: Scene 5-7, Act 5: Scene 1

Complications

Act 3: Scene 4, Act 4: Scene 1-4

Falling Action

Act 5: Scene 2

Rising Action

Act 2: Scene 1-2, Act 3: Scene 1-3

Conflict

Exposition

Act 1: Scene 1-5

Denouement

Act 5: Scene 2

Hamlet