tragedy

Hamlet

c. 1600–1601

A prince haunted by his father's ghost confronts revenge, madness, and mortality.

Start reading — Act 1, Scene 1 →

Scenes

Act 1

1.1 Elsinore. A platform before the Castle. 1.2 Elsinore. A room of state in the Castle. 1.3 A room in Polonius’s house. 1.4 The platform. 1.5 A more remote part of the Castle.

Act 2

2.1 A room in Polonius’s house. 2.2 A room in the Castle.

Act 3

3.1 A room in the Castle. 3.2 A hall in the Castle. 3.3 A room in the Castle. 3.4 Another room in the Castle.

Act 4

4.1 A room in the Castle. 4.2 Another room in the Castle. 4.3 Another room in the Castle. 4.4 A plain in Denmark. 4.5 Elsinore. A room in the Castle. 4.6 Another room in the Castle. 4.7 Another room in the Castle.

Act 5

5.1 A churchyard. 5.2 A hall in the Castle.

Dramatis personæ

HAMLET Prince of Denmark
CLAUDIUS King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle
GERTRUDE the Queen, Hamlet’s mother, now wife of Claudius
POLONIUS Lord Chamberlain
LAERTES Son to Polonius
OPHELIA Daughter to Polonius
HORATIO Friend to Hamlet
FORTINBRAS Prince of Norway
VOLTEMAND Courtier
CORNELIUS Courtier
ROSENCRANTZ Courtier
GUILDENSTERN Courtier
MARCELLUS Officer
BARNARDO Officer
FRANCISCO a Soldier
OSRIC Courtier
REYNALDO Servant to Polonius