Quick and easy synopsis of the Shakespeare play, Hamlet. For more Hamlet resources, go to www.sparknotes..... For a translation of the entire play into modern English, go to No Fear Shakespeare at nfs.sparknotes.com/hamlet/.
Frank G Did you even read the book? Denmark was not at war with Norway. Fortinbras and his army were given permission by Claudius to pass through Denmark to invade Poland. Fortinbras is arriving to thank Claudius for letting him pass through Denmark in his invasion route, after successfully capturing land in Poland, when he arrives in the aftermath of the bloodbath. Was it great (or horrible) timing? Yes. Were the two countries at war? No.
Shakespeare: Lemme just throw in so much shit so that later generations can analyze the hell out of my work, then kill every characters at the end, and let some random ass person live and have the happy ending.
the story is relevant today because this sort of thing -a scenario where everyone ends up losing, happens all the time, maybe not in kingdoms but definitely in families and governments.
The point is that the "random person" is telling the story to other people. It could be a fabrication. The whole story is essentially fake so that the king takes over with an excuse
the last part is wrong. Hamlet tells Horatio that he gives the throne Fortinbras as he knows he's going to die and no other royalty of Denmark is left. That's how Fortinbras got the kingdom, not by taking it over.
Hamlet is actually a really great story. It's too bad that not only is it incomprehensible without some sort of translation, but we have it crammed down our throats in school, forced to read it and know everything for some reason. Why can't I just read it in my spare time while school teaches me how to start a family or do taxes?
IoST I would say it's the best thing because in my class all we read is nonfiction argumentative essays and history if they expected us to want to read they should be have been focusing on more fiction out of my senior year we only read 2 fiction stories
I had to read it in a week, it's really hard to enjoy something when you cramming it down to meet a deadline. Then on top that I have to analysis the crap out of it after having read it a hundred miles per hour.
@@PixelsOPlenty exact same scenario here. I just finished reading and I have to write about 5 pages of hamlets significant quotes for tomorrow. It's a great story but the enjoyment disappears because you have to read it in 5 days. School system is sooo sad
Dear Teachers, please stop making exams. Okay i just realised u commented 6 years ago. Now in 2020 even, my english literature teacher has told us to write SIX WHOLE PARAGRAPHS about a summary of Hamlet. .-.
@@caleb5194 lol ok :) now im legitamately (idk if the spellings correct lmfaoo) stuck with ONLINE exams :( they rly had to ruin the stay home vibe with exams why tf ;-;
Damn SON. Stories like this is something you'd expect to see right out of a messed up hit TV series where people set things up where all hell breaks loose, but everyone died here. Right on Shakespeare, you da bomb!
There's a version of Hamlet on BBC iPlayer now that's 2 hours long. I watched 7 minutes and 4 seconds before realizing I'd had enough. Came here to look for a summary. Glad I did.
The fact that they all die and someone else pops up and takes the throne makes me laugh so hard. Is this really a classical tradegy or a modern comedy? It seems like a joke to me.
bariskoe1 i don’t think it was mentioned in the video specifically but it was hamlet asking wether he had to keep going or if he has to die. To be or not to be basically means “should I live and keep going or should I kill myself?”
This tragedy was no pointless at all. There are so many themes that just get to you. Truth versus Appearances, will Hamlet be saved? Was the ghist real? Was it a demon? Was hamlet really mad? Was he spot on for everything? Could it be half and half? Did he really love Ophelia? Did Ophelia spoke the truth about Hamlet? Did he have an Oedipus complex? This is all for YOU to decide. There's an array of answers, and they can all be backed up, it's the interpretation. There is no wrong guy answer if you manage to find the clues given. There's nothing saying what is the truth, so what is? This play is fucking amazing. Just pure genius. In the name of Hamnet, RIP.
I just finished writing thank you soo much I nailed that essay because of this summary. I will be telling me kids about you guys trust me🤞🏽. We once went to go watch hamlet with my school but I was high and slept throughout the play. I low-key thought I was going to fail but you changed that. I probably got 23 on that essay. Again thank you❤️❤️ May GOD BLESS YOU!!!
@@baranmutafcoglu717 I used the sparknotes website for several books in high school… it was a literal savior… I’m now a 4th year in university abs using the website again and just found the RU-vid channel today lol
He had many chances to kill Claudius, such as the scene in the church, where Hamlet decides to not kill him purely because he was praying and thought he would be sent to heaven. It was due to this that Claudius managed to kill Gertrude and Hamlet.
That's shakespeare for you. Watch his plays a 100 times and you'll notice something different every single time. I think only a genius could absorb it all on the first viewing and Shakespeare is definitely a GENIUS for writing it. I don't think people realise how different life would be if he never existed. From the lessons taught through his plays to the way we speak everyday.
Thanks for the good short summary. Initially I'm thankful, because now I know the story without spending a relatively lot more time than reading the play or watch one of the adaptation. Yet, somehow now I feel the need to read the original play, and after that most likely will try to find out which one is the recommended adaptation to watch.
No, he kept his word. He said he’d invade Poland and HE DID, when it was so EASY to invade Denmark. Then he got the kingdom anyway, for I believe God wanted to reward his honor.
There really aren't that many characters in Hamlet though. And if you think this plot is convoluted, never even try to read one of Shakespeare's comedies.
Wow! how to say? Shakespeare was a wonderful author and his plays are very nice. I have no words to say how much I like his plays. His plays are unbelievable and amazing. Hamlet is a very good play. I like that. Thank you Shakespeare for given a wonderful play.
So this is a good but REALLY basic summary. So many topics are relevant in Hamlet (which are mostly subliminal), and this video mentions none of them: putting on a false face, whether the ghost is an evil spirit, unnatural deaths, when to think or not think, death is the ultimate equalizer, etc. The internal/external conflicts, motifs, humor and other stuff that Shakespeare fits into Hamlet are what make this play great. Also, 1. Ophelia says she won't speak to Hamlet, but really she will still talk to him 2. The climax is when Claudius has his back to Hamlet while praying, and Hamlet could kill him 3. Hamlet doesn't escape from the pirates, he makes Claudius pay to get him back 4. Claudius lets Gertrude drink the poison because he is a coward, he actually has time to stop her 5. Hamlet tells Fortinbras to be king as he is dying 6. Fortinbras didn't arrive as a visit to Claudius, he came to conquer Denmark
Fortinbras's attack on Poland is a ploy to get permission to go near Denmark. He wants his father's lands back. It's his primary goal throughout the entire play. The scene just before the graveyard scene (Act 4, scene 6 I think), shows Hamlet encountering soldiers of Fortinbras explaining their true intentions. Hamlet knew Fortinbras was about to attack and even commented that he was running out of time to kill Claudius before someone else did.
Pretty sure that Fortinbras didn't claim the kingdom for himself. Before Hamlet dies, he basically says that he wants Fortinbras to inherit the throne because Hamlet admires him. Hamlet gains the admiration when he meets Fortinbras as he is going to Poland. And Fortinbras comes back to Denmark after he is finished in Poland. Not to solely see Claudius. :)
The fact the I just got to know that Shakespeare never wrote anything original and it was always inspired from something shook me.( Learnt in my lit class)
When the ghost appears again, he doesn't scold Hamlet. He tells him not to be so hard to his mother. He does, however, remind him to avenge himself on Claudius.
Lol a nunnery in that time referred to a brothel as well, and that sinister reference is what Hamlet meant to Ophelia, not for her to literally become a nun.
Love Shakespeare, of course, but it can be so difficult to keep all the names straight. Videos like this help a lot in making sure I have a clear understanding of what even happened in the story.
I believe that it can mean both a brothel, or a convent, at that time, which was Shakespeare at his best, letting you decide which you want to think he meant. :)
I have two write this damn exam that I was supposed to do like two years ago, but alas complications... Anways, I needed an example so that's why I'm here. GL to the lot of ye.
Get a few friends over to read some of the other parts and it will be much better. Like poetry, plays are meant to be heard aloud, not read silently. Some of us did this to help a friend in college when she had to read Shakespeare for a class. It helped. :)
haha, these videos make me actually like the classics we read in English... if only this was up five years ago when i was still in high school, i might've actually liked my classes more.
Haider(2014) is a great adaptation of Hamlet, it has a sense of originality while still paralleling with the basic storyline. please do watch it, if you like hamlet, you will love haider too.
Yes, dialogues have been revived, although they somehow reflect the essence of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Since Haider is set on a different time period (1995 A.D.), and different location (Kashmir,India); appropriate alterations have been made in dialogues as well. P.S. Let me also clarify that Haider is a movie. It has garnered over thirty national and international awards. Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haider_(film)
Tapescript: Hamlet is the prince of Denmark his father was the king, but he died before the play begins Hamlet's uncle Claudius has taken over as King and married Hamlet's mother Gertrude. The Ghost At the beginning at the play a ghost appears to some soldiers; he looks just like Hamlet's father, the dead King. The soldiers agree to tell Hamlet all about it. King Claudius Claudius tells Hamlet he has to stop acting so sad about his father's death. Hamlet says he will. But, when he's by himself, he says he's disgusted that his mother married Claudius. Polonius, Laertes and Ophelia Hamlet's girlfriend is Ophelia. Her father Polonius and her brother Laertes try to convince her that Hamlet doesn't love her they point out that because he's a prince he can't marry whoever he wants they think he's more likely to seduce her than marry her. Ophelia agrees not to talk to Hamlet any more. King Hamlet’s murder Hamlet sees the ghost, who says he is Hamlet's father he also says that Claudius murdered him by pouring poison in his ear Hamlet swears to take revenge. He mentions to the soldiers that in the future he may find it useful to act as if he's crazy. Hamlet’s Madness Ophelia tells her father that Hamlet came to see her after she returned his love letters and he seems insane his clothes were messed up he was trembling and pale and he looked scared. Polonius now thinks Hamlet really did love Ophelia and he's gone mad because she rejected him. Claudius and Gertrude ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, some friends of Hamlet's from school, to spend time with them and try to find out why he's been acting crazy Rosencrantz and Guiledenstern try to cheer Hamlet up by telling him the group of actors has arrived at the castle Hamlet decides he'll have the actors perform a play that mimics the murder of his father. He wants to see if Claudius reacts to it and shows his guilt. he says the ghost might actually be a lying devil Claudius's reaction to the play will clear up the mystery. “Get thee to a nunnery” Claudius, Gertrude and Polonius want to test the theory that Hamlet is acting crazy because he is lovesick so they spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet is very nasty to Ophelia and tells her she should go become a nun after hearing this Claudius decides Hamlet is not in love he does think Hamlet's obsessed with something and since he thinks Hamlet poses a threat to him he decides to send him to England. ‘The Mousetrap Play” That evening the actors perform the play Hamlet requested. When Claudius sees a scene where a king is murdered by having poison poured in his ear he becomes so upset that he gets up and leaves. Hamlet sees this reaction as proof that Claudius did indeed murder his father. Claudius tries to Pray When Claudius is by himself he admits he murdered Hamlet's father. he tries to pray for forgiveness but he can't seem to make himself do it but he decides not to kill him because he thinks claudius will go straight to heaven if he dies while he's praying and he wants him to go to hell. Hamlet stabs Polonius through The Arras Hamlet goes to see his mother not knowing that she's given Polonius permission to hide behind a tapestry and listen to their conversation. Hamlet makes her sit down and tells her she's not leaving until he shows her how bad she really is. Gertrude gets frightened and calls out for help hearing her, Polonius calls out for help too and Hamlet, thinking it's Claudius behind the tapestry stands polonius through the clock and kills him. Hamlet accuses Gerturde Hamlet tells his mother how awful it is that she sleeping with Claudius he doesn't come right out and say that road is murder King Hamlet or that he thinks gertrude knew about it he focuses more on how much better his father was the glorious and tries to make his mother promise not to sleep with claudius anymore she tells hamlet that he's making her feel guilty the ghost enters and scolds Hamlet for taking so long to get revenge hamlet sees the ghost but his mother doesn't she thinks is crazy Hamlet leaves hauling away Polonius's body The Death Sentence Claudius and hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern but he's by himself he says he's given Rosencrantz and Guildenstern sealed letters ordering the king of england hamlet today immediately after opening the latter. Ophelia’s Madness and Laertes’ Return A three-year loses her mind following her father's death Laertes returns to Denmark billion noisy crowd of supporters he blames Claudius for his father's death and his sisters insanity and threatens to overthrow him Claudius manages to persuade Laertes that Hamlet is really to blame. The Pirates Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet saying that the ship he was on was attacked by pirates hamlet was taken prisoner by himself and brought back to Denmark Claudius and Laertes also receive a letter from Hamlet in which he says he's arrived back to Denmark alone and will come to see Claudius the next day now that they know hamlet didn't die in England they start plotting a new way to kill him the look like an accident Gertrude brings the news that Ophelia drowned in a stream. Ophelia’s Funeral Two grave diggers talk and joke while digging Ophelia's grave Hamlet gets into a conversation with one of them he doesn't yet know that Ophelia is dead Claudius, Gertrude and Laertes arrive to bury Ophelia they lay here in the ground but before they can throw earth on her Laertes leaps to into the grave to hug her one more time Hamlet finally realizes who they're burying and starts swearing that no one loved Ophelia more than he did he jumps into the grave too and he and Laertes fight until they're pulled apart. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Hamlet tells Horatio that on the way to England he stole the letter that would have sentenced him to death and wrote a replacement telling the king of england to put Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to death he managed to get free during the pirate attack and then he returned to Denmark. A courtier named was Osric interrupts them to invite Hamlet to a fencing match with Laertes to be held in front of the King and Queen Hamlet agrees. *The Fencing Match* Before the match Laertes poisons the tip of his sword and Claudius poisons a cup of wine. Hamlet gets the first hit claudius is going to give him a precious pearl as a reward and he drops the pearl into the poison Cup and offers it to Hamlet but hamlet says he's not ready to drink yet Hamlet gets the second hit. Gertrude picks up the poisoned cup drinks from it before Claudius can stop her Laertes finally gets a hit wounding Hamlet with a poison sword and they both get mad and start grappling with each other in the scuffle they exchange swords and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the poisoned one gertrude collapses and says she's been poisoned Laertes confesses to hamlet he poisoned the sword and says they're both going to die he blames Claudius for the scheme. Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword and forces him to drink from the poisoned cup . Claudius dies. Laertes dies saying he's sorry for what he's done Hamlet tells Horatio to remain behind and tell the truth about everything that has happened then he dies Fortinbras a prince in Norway arrives with his army on a visit to Claudius when he sees that the whole royal family is dead he claims the kingdom for himself
