1. Hamlet
William Shakespeare

2. Publication
Written during the first part of the seventeenth century (probably in 1600 or 1601)
Hamlet was probably first performed in July 1602
It was first published in printed form in 1603 and appeared in an enlarged edition in 1604

3. Setting
The story takes place in the country of Denmark in the late medieval period ( )

4. The Story
The raw material that Shakespeare appropriated in writing Hamlet is the story of a Danish prince whose uncle murders the prince's father, marries his mother, and claims the throne. The prince pretends to be feeble-minded to throw his uncle off guard, then tries to kill his uncle in revenge.

5. Hamlet The Prince of Denmark Protagonist
About thirty years old at the start of the play
Son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet
Nephew of the present king, Claudius.

6. Hamlet continued
Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle's scheming and disgust for his mother's sexuality. A reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of Wittenberg, Germany. Hamlet is sometimes indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash and impulsive acts.

7. Claudius The King of Denmark Hamlet's uncle Antagonist
Calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power
Shows signs of guilt and human feeling—his love for Gertrude seems sincere

8. Gertrude Queen of Denmark Hamlet's mother Recently married to Claudius
Loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than truth

9. Polonius The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court (advisor)
Pompous, conniving old man
Father of Laertes and Ophelia

10. Horatio Hamlet's close friend
Studied with Hamlet at the university in Wittenberg (Germany)
Loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play

11. Ophelia Polonius's daughter
Beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love
Sweet and innocent young girl
Obeys her father and her brother, Laertes

12. Ophelia continued Dependent on men to tell her how to behave
Gives in to Polonius's schemes to spy on Hamlet
In her lapse into madness, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers

13. Laertes Polonius's son Ophelia's brother
Spends much of the play in France
Passionate and quick to action
Clearly a foil (opposite) for the reflective Hamlet

14. Fortinbras Young Prince of Norway
His father the king (also named Fortinbras) was killed by Hamlet's father
Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father's honor
Another foil (opposite) for Hamlet

15. The Ghost Specter of Hamlet's deceased father
Claims to have been murdered by Claudius
Calls upon Hamlet to avenge him

16. The Ghost continued
Other characters are not entirely certain whether the ghost is what it appears to be, or whether it is something else
Hamlet speculates that the ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder
The question of what the ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved

17. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Two slightly bumbling (stupid) courtiers (companions)
Childhood friends of Hamlet
Summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior

18. The End