Act 1, scene 2
Hamlet is told the reason Claudius and Gertrude married so soon was because they didn’t want Fortinbras to think the kingdom was weak, in mourning. They talk Hamlet into not going back to school. Hamlet wishes he could commit suicide. Hamlet is told about the Ghost of his father.
Act 1, scene 3
Laertes tells his sister Ophelia not to take Hamlet advances seriously that he is just playing with her. She promises to refuse him. Her father tells her the same and she promises him she will obey him and refuse Hamlet.
Act 1, scene 4
Hamlet meets the Ghost and knows it is his dead father he follows the Ghost.
Act 1, scene 5
Hamlet is on the outer wall of the Castle and the Ghost tells him he wants Hamlet to avenge his death. He says Claudius, his brother, seduced the innocent queen then poured deadly poison into King Hamlet’s ear. Hamlet says he will pretend to be mad so he can spy on his mother and uncle.
Act 2, scene 1
Polonius tells the servant Reynaldo to go to Paris and spy on Laertes. He told him to use lies to trap Laertes. Ophelia tells her father how crazy looking and acting Hamlet was when he talked to her. Polonius thinks Hamlet is crazy because Ophelia rejected Hamlet. Polonius is going to tell the King this.
Act 2, scene 2
The King has Hamlets friends spy on him. When Polonius tells the King and Queen why he thinks Hamlet is crazy the Queen says it is because his father is dead and her quick marriage that he is just mourning. Polonius suggest that he and the King hide behind a wall hanging to eavesdrop on Hamlet.
Act 3, scene 1
Claudius asks Hamlet friend if they have found out why Hamlet is so crazy. They do not know. The king and Polonius hide while Ophelia tries to give back gifts Hamlet gave her in love. Hamlet says women cannot be trusted. The King says hamlet is to crazy and he will send him away to England.
Act 3, scene 2
Hamlet had a play done that is like what happened to his father. Claudius reaction convinces Hamlet it is true Claudius killed his father.
Act 3, scene 3
The King is afraid of Hamlet so he plans to get Hamlet to England. Hamlet sees the King praying and thinks he could kill him now but thinks if he dies while he is praying he would go to heaven so he does not kill him.
Act 3, scene 4
Polonius hides in Gertrudes room. Hamlet and his mother argue about him not respecting the new king and her not respecting Hamlets fathers memory. She is afraid and so Polonius calls for help. Hamlet sticks his sword through the tapestry thinking he is stabbing the King but it is Polonius he kills. Hamlet meets with the Ghost again and is told to be good to the Queen. Hamlet tells his mother he thinks he is being sent to England to be killed.
Act 4, scene 1
Gertrude tells the King what Hamlet has done. The King knows that could have been him dead. They are worried what people will think of the murder. They do not want to be blamed.
Act 4, scene 2
When Hamlets friends ask for Polonius body so they can bury it Hamlet tells them the King is just using them like a sponge.
Act 4, scene 3
The King knows the people like Hamlet so much that if he jailed Hamlet for killing Polonius they would riot so he says he will send him into exile. The King tells Hamlet the ship is ready to take him to England. The King sends a letter to England to have Hamlet murdered.
Act 4, scene 4
Hamlet on his way to England sees Fortinbras and his army going through Denmark to take part of Poland.
Act 4, scene 5
Ophelia is acting like she is going crazy. The Queen thinks it is because of her father, s death. Laertes is very upset about his sister and his father dying. The King tells Laertes he can avenge his father,s death.
Act 4, scene 7
Hamlet returns to England.
Summaries