Act 1 Scene 2
Hamlet's first appearance. He is introduced with Laertes, Polonius, Horatio, Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia and Fortinbras. He ponders with his lover, Ophelia, on how Claudius could marry Gertrude yet only a month has not passed. Hamlet then tells how much he loves Ophelia and the two proceed to kiss.
Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never doubt,
I love.
Act 1 Scene 3
As Laertes leaves for France, he and Polonius tell Ophelia that Hamlet cannot be trusted.
Act 1 Scene 4
While Horatio and a Courtier discuss matters, Hamlet shows up. Horatio mentions that he saw King Hamlet and Prince Hamlet agrees to stay on watch.
When the ghost shows up, Horatio tells Hamlet that the ghost beckons to lead Hamlet, but Horatio tells him that it might draw him into a sort of madness. When the Grim Reaper shows up, Horatio and the Courtier stall Elsinore Ghosts as Hamlet heads on.
Hamlet meets his ghostly father, who tells him his tragedy, but warns that Hamlet will be enraged. King Hamlet says how his brother, Claudius, had struck foul play by putting poison into his ear as he sleeps. The ghost requests that his son brings vengeance, to which he agrees.
When Hamlet returns, he explains the situation and makes his companions swear to not tell anyone what he saw.
Act 2 Scene 1
As a Courtier and Polonius discuss matters, Ophelia rushes in telling them that Hamlet has gone undergone strange behavior. Polonius tells her that Hamlet is facing the 'ecstasy of love', which is responsible for his 'madness'. Polonius then goes to inform Claudius and Gertrude.
Act 2 Scene 2
Hamlet greets his friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The three leave the area to discuss matters.
Sometime later, Hamlet tells Ophelia that he never loved her.
Act 3 Scene 1
Hamlet, under high pressure, tries to prove Claudius's guilt with a play "The Murder of Gonzago", which re-enacts of how King Hamlet died. He tells a Courtier to watch over Claudius's reactions.
After "Gonzago" is poisoned, Claudius abruptly rises and leaves the room. Hamlet sees this as proof for guilt.
Hamlet then goes to a darkened room, with just a mirror. He then stands in front of it with his arm placed outward and performs his To be? Or not to be? act.
To be? Or not to be?
That is the question.
Whether 'tis a nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them?
To die, to sleep.
And by sleep end the heart-ache...
'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished.
A single swing of the sword could end this torment!
To sleep: perchance to dream.
Ay, there's the rub.
For in that sleep of death
What dreams may come?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all.
Act 3 Scene 3
Hamlet is summoned to Queen Gertrude's room. Polonius, spying on the conversation, sees it as more evidence of the Prince's madness. Hamlet, who had sensed someone, wildly stabs the curtain, killing Polonius by mistake.
Mother,
You have my father much offended.
Come and sit you down. You shall not budge.
You go not til I set you up a glass,
Where you may see the inmost part of you.
Act 4 Scene 1
Claudius, fearing for his life, sends Hamlet to England. He also sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with him. Claudius gives Guildenstern a letter, instructing the King of England to immediately kill Hamlet the moment he reads the letter.
After Hamlet fights off Elsinore Rats as well as unsuspecting Pirate Crewman Skeletons, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern thanks him. Guildenstern then confesses about the letter. When Hamlet reads it, he shakes in anger, mutters how he would have breathed his last breath once he stepped foot on England, and demands to set sail back to Denmark.
It were a wicked plan.
Had I crossed the ocean and stepped foot in England,
It would have been there that I breathed my last breath.
I shall return to Denmark.
Change course!
Act 4 Scene 2
Back in Denmark, Laertes learns that his father, Polonius, has been killed. Claudius tells him that Hamlet had killed Polonius, and Laertes swears vengeance. Claudius has a plan to achieve his vengeance.
Gertrude interrupts the conversation, telling Laertes that Ophelia has drowned, most likely due to grief from Hamlet's words and Polonius's death.
Act 4 Scene 3
Hamlet and Horatio speak. Claudius, Gertrude, and Laertes appear later, causing Hamlet to hide. When they mention Ophelia, Hamlet rushes. Laertes threatens to kill him, and Gertrude requests to spare him. Hamlet says how much he loved Ophelia.
Dost thou think Alexander,
Looked o' this fashion 'i'th earth?
Oh, that earth, which kept the world in awe,
Should patch a wall,
't expel the winter's flaw!
Act 5 Scene 1
Osric welcomes Hamlet back to England and announces that Laertes prepared a fencing game. Hamlet requests a Courtier to be his sparring partner, and after a short battle, Hamlet leaves to practice by himself.
Act 5 Scene 2
Hamlet and Laertes are locked in a sparring match. Laertes trips Hamlet, causing him to drop his blade. Laertes manages to strike Hamlet's cheek before he kicks and grabs Laertes's blade. Claudius stops the battle, offering Hamlet wine for health. Hamlet refuses, saying he wants to finish the match. Gertrude instead drinks for his good fortune. As the sparring match continues, Hamlet strikes a fatal blow on Laertes, as Gertrude falls. The Queen announces that she has been poisoned.
As the audience rushes off-stage, Hamlet demands that the room be shut. Laertes, in his last dying breath, says that the blade he used was poisoned and Claudius was to blame. Hamlet, enraged, rushes to Claudius and slices him, then forcing the poisoned wine down his throat to make sure he dies, finally 'avenging' his parents.
Hamlet, now blind and nearly dead, calls Horatio and a Courtier to him. Hamlet then orders the two to tell the story of Hamlet, and then dies.
