1. Hamlet Political Situation Act I Before the Play Begins:
King Fortinbras of Norway challenged King Hamlet of Denmark to war. (1.1)
King Hamlet killed King Fortinbras in battle. (1.1)
Norway surrendered land which had been seized to Denmark. (1.1)
PRINCE Fortibras is gathering an army to reclaim the land belonging to Norway.
King Hamlet dies under mysterious circumstances. (1.1)
THE GHOST OF KING HAMLET has appeared three times to the castle guards and once to Horatio.
Horatio proposes reporting his appearance to Prince Hamlet. (1.1)

2. Hamlet Political Situation Act I At time that Play Begins:
Claudius, brother of King Hamlet, assumes the throne of Denmark. (1.2)
Announces his marriage to Gertrude, King Hamlet’s wife.(1.2)
Sends ambassadors to Norway to put a stop to Prince Fortinbras by appealing to Fortinbras’ uncle. (1.2)
Allows Laertes, son of his advisor Polonius, to return to France for school.
Forbids Prince Hamlet to return to Germany for school and publicly declares hm as “son” (1.2)
PRINCE HAMLET returns to Denmark to a political situation in which:
His father is dead
His mother is remarried to his uncle
His kingdom is under threat of war