1. Hamlet An introduction

2. Plot Hamlet’s father is dead and his mother has married his uncle Hamlet’s father is dead and his mother has married his uncle Hamlet’s father returns as a ghost and tells Hamlet to avenge his death Hamlet’s father returns as a ghost and tells Hamlet to avenge his death Hamlet thinks that his uncle murdered his father Hamlet thinks that his uncle murdered his father Madness ensues Madness ensues

3. Characters Hamlet – Prince of Denmark Hamlet – Prince of Denmark Claudius – King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius – King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle Gertrude – Queen of Denmark Gertrude – Queen of Denmark Ophelia – Hamlet’s “love” interest Ophelia – Hamlet’s “love” interest Horatio – Hamlet’s friend Horatio – Hamlet’s friend

4. Characters, con’t Laertes – Ophelia’s brother Laertes – Ophelia’s brother Polonius – father of Laertes and Ophelia Polonius – father of Laertes and Ophelia Fortinbras – Prince of Norway Fortinbras – Prince of Norway Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – former friends of Hamlet’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – former friends of Hamlet’s The Ghost – Hamlet’s father The Ghost – Hamlet’s father

5. Themes The Impossibility of Certainty The Impossibility of Certainty The Mystery of Death The Mystery of Death The Nation as a Diseased Body The Nation as a Diseased Body

6. Facts genre · Tragedy, revenge tragedy genre · Tragedy, revenge tragedy time and place written · London, England, early seventeenth century (probably 1600–1602) time and place written · London, England, early seventeenth century (probably 1600–1602) date of first publication · 1603, in a pirated quarto edition titled The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet; 1604 in a superior quarto edition date of first publication · 1603, in a pirated quarto edition titled The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet; 1604 in a superior quarto edition

7. Facts, con’t setting (time) · The late medieval period, though the play’s chronological setting is notoriously imprecise setting (time) · The late medieval period, though the play’s chronological setting is notoriously imprecise settings (place) · Denmark settings (place) · Denmark tone · Dark, ironic, melancholy, passionate, contemplative, desperate, violent tone · Dark, ironic, melancholy, passionate, contemplative, desperate, violent