Plot Summary (DP IB English A: Language and Literature: HL): Revision Note

Plot Summary

Examiners always praise students who clearly know the plot of the texts they are studying, as having this base of knowledge leads to the best exam responses. Below you will find:

• plot storyboard

• a general overview of the whole play

• detailed summaries by act

Overview

The play begins with the ghostly apparition of King Hamlet appearing to night watchmen. He later appears to his son, Prince Hamlet, and discloses that he was murdered by his brother Claudius, who is now the king and married to Queen Gertrude. Prince Hamlet is deeply distressed by this revelation. Hamlet decides to feign madness to investigate the circumstances of his father's death and plans to avenge him. He confides in his trusted friend Horatio about his suspicions.

Hamlet's feigned madness continues to perplex the court. Polonius, Claudius's advisor, believes Hamlet's behaviour stems from his love for Polonius's daughter, Ophelia. Claudius and Gertrude are concerned about Hamlet's erratic conduct and enlist Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet's childhood friends, to spy on him. Hamlet becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth about his father's murder. He devises a plan to use a play, “The Mousetrap”, to expose Claudius’s guilty conscience. 

During the performance, Claudius reacts with visible guilt to the reenactment of King Hamlet's murder, providing Hamlet with confirmation of his uncle's culpability. In haste, Hamlet stabs a concealed figure behind the curtain, only to discover the lifeless body of Polonius. As a result, Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England. Ophelia's mental state deteriorates and she descends into madness, leading her brother, Laertes, to return from France seeking vengeance. Claudius and Laertes conspire to kill Hamlet.

Ophelia meets a tragic end by drowning, further deepening the sense of despair in the court. Laertes is unwavering in his quest for vengeance, while Hamlet returns to Denmark. A deadly duel is arranged between Hamlet and Laertes. 

The climactic duel unfolds. Gertrude mistakenly drinks poisoned wine intended for Hamlet, leading to her death. In the chaotic final moments, Laertes and Hamlet are both fatally wounded. Claudius meets his demise at the hands of Hamlet and Hamlet finally avenges his father's murder. The play concludes in tragedy, leaving Horatio to bear witness and recount Hamlet's tragic story. 

Act-by-act plot summary

Act I

• The play commences with the reappearance of a ghost, which resembles the late King Hamlet, during the night vigil of the watchmen Barnardo, Marcellus and Horatio

• Subsequently, King Claudius publicly proclaims his intended nuptials to Queen Gertrude

• Laertes, son of Polonius, secures the monarch's permission to return to France

• Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is reproached by King Claudius for lamenting the loss of his father

• The King and Queen issue a directive to Hamlet and implore him to forsake his scholarly pursuits in Wittenberg and remain within Elsinore Castle

• Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo invite Hamlet to join them for the next night's watch after recounting their eerie encounter with the ghostly figure

• As Laertes prepares to embark for Paris, he issues a warning to his sister Ophelia and cautions her about the fickle nature of Hamlet's affections

•  In deference to her father Polonius's wishes, Ophelia agrees to sever ties with Hamlet

• Later that evening, Hamlet confronts the apparition of his departed father

• The apparition accuses Claudius of regicide by pouring poison into his ear

• The apparition beseeches Hamlet to avenge his death 

Act II

• Hamlet, driven by the need for vengeance for his father's murder, adopts a façade of madness until he formulates a plan for retribution

• Polonius reports Ophelia’s encounter with Hamlet to King Claudius and Queen Gertrude

• Queen Gertrude suggests Hamlet’s behaviour may stem from grief over his father’s death and her remarriage

• Polonius speculates that Hamlet's behaviour stems from his unrequited affection for Ophelia, positing that her rejection has unhinged him

• Overhearing this tumultuous exchange, Claudius decides to investigate Hamlet further by summoning Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him

• A travelling acting troupe arrives at the castle and Hamlet requests them to incorporate a scene into their play that mirrors King Hamlet's murder

• Hamlet hopes that his uncle's reaction to the scene will serve as evidence of his guilt

Act III

• Claudius and Polonius arrange for Ophelia to meet Hamlet while they secretly observe

• In order to unravel the root cause of Hamlet's mental disturbance, Polonius devises a plan where Gertrude engages Hamlet in conversation, while Polonius discreetly eavesdrops

• Prior to the commencement of the play performed by the travelling actors, Hamlet enlists Horatio's assistance in observing Claudius's reaction to the scene

• During the enactment of the murder scene within the play, Claudius abruptly halts the performance, revealing his guilt to both Hamlet and Horatio

• Following the conclusion of the play, Hamlet catches sight of Claudius in a state of penitence, kneeling and attempting to pray but unable to truly repent

• Hamlet refrains from seizing the opportunity for revenge

• As Hamlet confronts his mother, a noise emanates from behind a concealed curtain, leading him to assume it is Claudius

• In haste, Hamlet stabs the concealed figure behind the curtain, only to discover the lifeless body of Polonius

• The apparition of King Hamlet's ghost reappears, but only Hamlet can see it, which further reinforces Gertrude's conviction regarding Hamlet's madness

• Hamlet implores his mother not to share her bed with Claudius

• He is ordered to go to England and leaves under compulsion and departs with Polonius's body 

Act IV

• Troubled by her recent conversation with Hamlet, Gertrude relays the details to Claudius and Claudius summons Hamlet

• Hamlet acknowledges his role in the unintended death of Polonius

• Hamlet responds evasively and mockingly, refusing to clearly reveal Polonius’s body

• In response to Hamlet's actions, Claudius decrees Hamlet's banishment to England, concealing his intent to have the prince murdered there secretly

• Following Hamlet's departure, Claudius and Gertrude encounter Ophelia, whose erratic behaviour raises concerns

• Claudius attributes her condition to the loss of her father and Hamlet's absence

• Learning of his father's death, Laertes returns from France, consumed by anger and a desire for vengeance

• Claudius manipulates Laertes and redirects his desire for revenge towards Hamlet

• Through letters addressed to Horatio and Claudius, Hamlet communicates his return to Denmark after being captured by pirates

• Laertes and Claudius formulate a plan to kill Hamlet

• Laertes intends to challenge Hamlet to a duel with a sword tipped with poison

• In the event of failure, Claudius will offer Hamlet a poisoned drink

• Gertrude declares that Ophelia has drowned

Act V

• Hamlet returns to Elsinore just as Ophelia's funeral takes place

• Upon seeing Laertes at Ophelia's graveside, Hamlet confronts him and declares his profound love for Ophelia

• Hamlet receives word from Osric, a young courtier, regarding Laertes's challenge to a duel

• Hamlet accepts the challenge and the duel commences

• Gertrude drinks from the poisoned cup despite Claudius trying to stop her

• She drinks it and succumbs to its effects

• Laertes wounds Hamlet and he retaliates by fatally stabbing Laertes

• In his final moments, Laertes acknowledges that it was Claudius's idea to orchestrate the duel

• Hamlet proceeds to pierce Claudius with the poisoned sword

• Hamlet, knowing that he has been fatally wounded by the poisoned blade, requests that Horatio recount his story for future generations before succumbing to death

• Fortinbras arrives at Elsinore and assumes control of Denmark, restoring order after the royal family's deaths