In the era of online games and movies, few people read books. But vivid shots will fade from memory in a few minutes, but classical literature that has been read for centuries is remembered forever. It is irrational to deprive oneself of the opportunity to enjoy the immortal creations of geniuses, because they bring not only aesthetic pleasure, but also answers to many questions that have not lost their acuity after hundreds of years. These diamonds of world literature include Hamlet, a brief retelling of which awaits you below.
About Shakespeare. Hamlet: the story of creation
The genius of literature and theater was born in 1564, baptized on April 26. But the exact date of birth is not known. The biography of the amazing writer has overgrown with many myths and conjectures. Perhaps this is due to the lack of accurate knowledge and the substitution of their speculation.
It is known that little William grew up in a wealthy family. From a young age, he attended school, but could not finish it because of material difficulties. Soon there will be a move to London, where he will create Shakespeare Hamlet. The retelling of the tragedy is designed to encourage schoolchildren, students, people who love literature, to read it in its entirety or to go to a performance of the same name.
The tragedy was created on the basis of a “wandering” story about the Danish prince Amlet, whose uncle killed his father in order to take over the state. The sources of the critics' plot were found in the Danish annals of Saxon Grammar, dated about the XII century. During the development of theatrical art, an unknown author creates a drama on this subject, borrowing it from the French writer Francois de Bolfor. Most likely, it is in the theater that Shakespeare recognizes this story and creates the tragedy “Hamlet” (for a brief retelling, see below).
First act
A brief retelling of "Hamlet" on the acts will give an idea of the plot of the tragedy.
The act begins with the conversation of two officers, Bernardo and Marcellus, about what they saw at night a ghost, which is very similar to the late king. After talking, they really see a ghost. The soldiers are trying to talk to him, but the spirit does not answer them.
Further, the reader sees the current king, Claudius, and Hamlet - the son of the deceased king. Claudius says that he married Gertrude, the mother of Hamlet. Upon learning of this, Hamlet is very upset. He recalls how worthy the father was the owner of the royal throne, and how his parents loved each other. Only a month has passed since his death, and his mother got married. A friend of the prince, Horatio, tells him that he saw a ghost insanely similar to his father. Hamlet decides to go on night watch with a friend to see everything with his own eyes.
Hamlet's brother of Ophelia, Laertes, leaves and says goodbye to her sister.
Hamlet on the duty platform sees a ghost. This is the spirit of his dead father. He informs his son that he died not from a snakebite, but from the treachery of his brother, who took his throne. Claudius poured bleached juice into his brother's ears, which poisoned and instantly killed him. Father asks for revenge for his murder. Hamlet later transmits a brief retelling of what he heard to his friend Horatio.
Second act
Polonius is talking with his daughter Ophelia. She is scared since she saw Hamlet. He had a very strange appearance, and his behavior spoke of a strong confusion. The news of Hamlet's insanity flies around the kingdom. Polonius speaks with Hamlet and notices that, despite the seeming frenzy, the Prince’s conversations are very logical and consistent.
Hamlet is visited by his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They tell the prince that a very talented actor’s corpse arrived in the city. Hamlet asks them to tell everyone that he has lost his mind. Polonius joins them and also reports on the actors.
Third act
Claudius asks Guildenstern if he knows the reason for Hamlet's insanity.
Together with the Queen and Polonius, they decide to fine-tune Hamlet’s meeting with Ophelia in order to understand if he’s losing his mind for love of her.
In this act, Hamlet speaks his ingenious monologue "To be or not to be." The retelling will not convey the whole essence of the monologue, we recommend that you read it yourself.
The prince agrees with the actors about something.
The performance begins. Actors portray the king and queen. The play asked Hamlet to play, a very brief retelling to the actors of recent events allowed them to show on the stage the circumstances of the fatal death of Hamlet's father. The king falls asleep in the garden, he is poisoned, and the offender gains the queen's trust. Claudius does not stand such a spectacle and orders to stop the performance. Together with the queen they leave.
Guildenstern passes Hamlet a request from his mother to speak with her.
Claudius tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he wants to send the prince to England.
Polonius hides behind the curtains in Gertrude’s room and waits for Hamlet. During their conversation, the spirit of the father appears to the prince and asks not to terrify the mother with his behavior, but to focus on revenge.
Hamlet hits the heavy curtains with his sword and accidentally kills Polonius. He reveals to his mother a terrible secret about the death of his father.
Fourth act
The fourth act of tragedy is full of tragic events. More and more, it seems to others, Prince Hamlet is losing his mind (a brief retelling of Act 4 will give a more accurate explanation of his actions).
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet where Polonius’s body is. The prince does not tell them, accusing the courtiers of seeking only the privileges and favors of the king.
Ophelia is brought to the queen. The girl from the experience went crazy. Secretly returned to Laertes. He with a group of people supporting him broke the guard and strives for the castle.
Horatio bring a letter from Hamlet, which states that the ship on which he sailed was captured by pirates. The prince is in captivity with them.
The king tells Laertes, who seeks to avenge the death of his father, who is to blame for his death, hoping that Laertes will kill Hamlet.
The Queen is brought the news that Ophelia has died. She drowned in the river.
Fifth act
The conversation of two grave diggers is described. They consider Ophelia to be a suicide and condemn her.
At the funeral of Ophelia, Laertes rushes into the pit. Hamlet jumps there too, sincerely suffering from the death of her former lover.
After Laertes and Hamlet go on a duel. They hurt each other. The queen takes from Claudius the cup intended for Hamlet and drinks. The bowl is poisoned, Gertrude dies. The weapon that Claudius prepared is also poisoned. Both Hamlet and Laertes already feel the effects of the poison. Hamlet with the same sword kills Claudius. Horatio reaches for a poisoned glass, but Hamlet asks him to stop in order to reveal all the secrets and clear his name. Fortinbras learns the truth and orders to bury Hamlet with honors.
Why read a brief retelling of the story Hamlet?
This question often worries modern students. Let's start by posing the question. It is not set correctly, since Hamlet is not a story, its genre is tragedy.
Its main theme is the theme of revenge. It may seem irrelevant, but its essence is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, many subtopics are interwoven in Hamlet: fidelity, love, friendship, honor and duty. It is difficult to find a person who remained indifferent after reading the tragedy. Another reason to read this immortal work is Hamlet’s monologue. "To be or not to be" was uttered thousands of times, here are the questions and answers, after almost five centuries have not lost their sharpness. Unfortunately, a brief retelling will not convey the entire emotional coloring of the work. Shakespeare created “Hamlet” based on legends, but his tragedy outgrew the sources and became a world masterpiece.