Hamlet: a brief retelling of the acts

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In the era of online games and movies, few people read books. But bright shots will leave the memory in a few minutes, but classical literature, which has been read for centuries, is remembered forever. It is irrational to deprive yourself of the opportunity to enjoy the immortal creations of geniuses, because they bring not only aesthetic pleasure, but also answers to many questions that have not lost their sharpness after hundreds of years. Such gems of world literature include Hamlet, a brief retelling of which awaits you below.

About Shakespeare. "Hamlet": the history of creation

The genius of literature and theater was born in 1564, baptized on April 26th. But the exact date of birth is not known. The biography of the amazing writer is overgrown with many myths and conjectures. Perhaps this is due to the lack of accurate knowledge and its replacement by speculation.

It is known that little William grew up in a we althy family. From a young age, he attended school, but could not finish it due to financial difficulties. Soon there will be a move to London, where Shakespeare will create Hamlet. The retelling of the tragedy is intended to encourage schoolchildren, students, people who love literature to read it in its entirety or go to the performance of the same name.

The tragedy was created on the basis of a "wandering" plot about the Danish prince Amlet, whose uncle killed his father in order to take over the state. Critics found the origins of the plot in the Danish annals of Saxo the Grammar, dated around the 12th century. During the development of theatrical art, an unknown author creates a drama based on this plot, borrowing it from the French writer Francois de Bolfort. Most likely, it was in the theater that Shakespeare learned this plot and created the tragedy Hamlet (see a brief retelling below).

First act

A brief retelling of "Hamlet" by acts will give an idea of the plot of the tragedy.

The act begins with a conversation between two officers, Bernardo and Marcellus, that they saw a ghost at night, which is very similar to the late king. After the conversation, they really see a ghost. The soldiers try to speak to him, but the spirit does not answer them.

The reader then sees the current king, Claudius, and Hamlet, the son of the deceased king. Claudius says that he married Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. Upon learning of this, Hamlet is very upset. He recalls what a worthy owner of the royal throne his father was, and how his parents loved each other. Only a month had passed since his death, and his mother got married. The prince's friend, Horatio, tells him that he saw a ghost that looks insanely like his father. Hamlet decides to go on night duty with a friend in order to see everything with his owneyes.

Hamlet's bride Ophelia's brother, Laertes, leaves and says goodbye to his sister.

Hamlet sees a ghost on duty platform. This is the spirit of his dead father. He informs his son that he died not from a snake bite, but from the treachery of his brother, who took his throne. Claudius poured henbane juice into his brother's ears, which poisoned and instantly killed him. The father asks for revenge for his murder. Later, Hamlet gives a brief retelling of what he heard to his friend Horatio.

Second act

Polonius is talking to his daughter Ophelia. She is frightened because she saw Hamlet. He had a very strange appearance, and his behavior spoke of a strong turmoil of the spirit. The news of Hamlet's madness spreads throughout the kingdom. Polonius is talking to Hamlet and notices that, despite the seeming madness, the prince's conversations are very logical and consistent.

Hamlet's friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to Hamlet. They tell the prince that a very talented acting corpse has arrived in the city. Hamlet asks them to tell everyone that he has lost his mind. Polonius joins them and also informs about the actors.

Third act

Claudius asks Guildenstern if he knows the reason for Hamlet's madness.

Together with the queen and Polonius, they decide to set up a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia to see if he is going crazy for love.

In this act, Hamlet pronounces his brilliant monologue "To be or not to be." The retelling will not convey the whole essence of the monologue, wewe encourage you to read it yourself.

Prince negotiates something with the actors.

The performance begins. The actors portray the king and queen. Hamlet asked to play the play, a very brief retelling of recent events to the actors allowed them to show on the stage the circumstances of the fatal death of Hamlet's father. The king falls asleep in the garden, is poisoned, and the culprit wins the queen's trust. Claudius cannot stand such a spectacle and orders the show to be stopped. They leave with the queen.

Guildenstern conveys to Hamlet his mother's request to speak to her.

Claudius informs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he wants to send the prince to England.

Polonius hides behind the curtains in Gertrude's room and waits for Hamlet. During their conversation, the spirit of his father appears to the prince and asks him not to horrify his mother with his behavior, but to focus on revenge.

Hamlet hits the heavy curtains with his sword and accidentally kills Polonius. He reveals to his mother a terrible secret about the death of his father.

Fourth act

The fourth act of the tragedy is full of tragic events. More and more, it seems to others that Prince Hamlet is going crazy (a brief retelling of Act 4 will give a more accurate explanation of his actions).

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet where Polonius' body is. The prince does not tell them, accusing the courtiers of seeking only the king's privileges and favors.

Ophelia is brought to the Queen. The girl went crazy from the experience. Laertes secretly returned. He, with a group of people supporting him, broke the guards and is striving for the castle.

Horace bringa letter from Hamlet, which says that the ship on which he sailed was captured by pirates. The prince is in their captivity.

The king tells Laertes, who seeks to avenge the death of his father, who is to blame for his death, hoping that Laertes will kill Hamlet.

The news is brought to the Queen that Ophelia has died. She drowned in the river.

Fifth act

A conversation between two gravediggers is described. They consider Ophelia suicidal and condemn her.

At Ophelia's funeral, Laertes throws himself into a pit. Hamlet also jumps there, sincerely suffering from the death of his former lover.

After Laertes and Hamlet go to the duel. They hurt each other. The queen takes the chalice intended for Hamlet from Claudius and drinks. The cup is poisoned, Gertrude dies. The weapon that Claudius prepared is also poisoned. Both Hamlet and Laertes already feel the effect of the poison. Hamlet kills Claudius with the same sword. Horatio reaches for the poisoned glass, but Hamlet asks him to stop in order to reveal all the secrets and clear his name. Fortinbras learns the truth and orders Hamlet to be buried with honors.

Why read a short retelling of the story "Hamlet"?

This question often worries modern schoolchildren. Let's start with a question. It is not quite correctly set, since Hamlet is not a story, its genre is tragedy.

Its main theme is the theme of revenge. It may seem irrelevant, but its essence is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, many sub-themes are intertwined in Hamlet: fidelity, love,friendship, honor and duty. It is difficult to find a person who remains indifferent after reading the tragedy. Another reason to read this immortal work is Hamlet's monologue. "To be or not to be" has been said thousands of times, here are questions and answers that have not lost their sharpness after almost five centuries. Unfortunately, a brief retelling will not convey the entire emotional coloring of the work. "Hamlet" Shakespeare created on the basis of legends, but his tragedy outgrew the sources and became a world masterpiece.