A young prince wrestles with a dilemma: whether or not to take revenge when his uncle seizes the throne. This is the story of Hamlet, perhaps William Shakespeare’s most famous play. It begins on a bitterly cold night at Elsinore Castle in Denmark, where two guards, Barnardo and Marcellus, are keeping watch.
"Who’s there?" called Marcellus warily. He had spotted someone in the darkness.
"It is I, Horatio," the man replied.
As Horatio approached, Barnardo explained to Marcellus, "I asked him to keep watch with us tonight, in case that thing reappears. It seems right, since he is Prince Hamlet’s friend."
"Come now, it’s surely just your imaginations," said Horatio.
"But we’ve seen it two nights in a row," insisted Barnardo, "and—"
"Shh," interrupted Marcellus, his eyes widening. "Here it comes again!"
A ghostly figure hovered in the night mist. Overcoming his fear, Horatio faced the phantom and called out, "Speak, and tell us what kind of thing you are!"
But the ghost turned away and melted into the night. Horatio went pale. "I would not believe this if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes," he murmured.
"It looks like the old king—may he rest in peace," Barnardo said.
"Yes. And it was wearing the same armor our king wore when he slew the king of Norway," replied Horatio. "This ghost may be a sign that violence is coming to Denmark."
"Well, our whole country seems to be preparing for war," said Marcellus. "Do you know why?"
"Because young Fortinbras, the Norwegian king’s son, wants to take back the lands that his father lost to us," Horatio explained. "He’s gathered an army. Perhaps that’s what’s troubling the spirit of the dead king . . . Look!"
The ghost had appeared again, its arms spread wide.
"Stay!" Horatio shouted. "If you know something about our country’s fate, speak!"
Just then a rooster crowed, and the apparition faded away.
"Day is dawning," said Horatio. "Spirits don’t like the light. Come, we must tell Prince Hamlet that we’ve seen his father’s ghost!"
That morning the new king of Denmark, Claudius, had gathered his court in the castle’s great hall. Claudius was the brother of the old king, who had died only two months earlier. Claudius had quickly married Gertrude, the king’s widow, and so had become king.
"I am sending ambassadors to Norway," Claudius announced, "to discuss the Fortinbras situation." The king then nodded to Hamlet. "My nephew and now my son—"
"I am not your son," Hamlet muttered under his breath.
"—why do you look so sad?" continued the king. "I know you mourn your father, but everyone must die sometime. Too much grief is not manly. I realize you want to return to your studies in Germany, but I would prefer you stay in Elsinore."
"Yes," said Queen Gertrude, "please stay, Hamlet."
"I shall obey you, madam," Hamlet replied politely, but he was miserable. "I cannot understand my mother," he thought. "I believed she truly loved my father, who was far nobler, fairer, and braver than Claudius. How could she dishonor my father’s memory by so quickly marrying my uncle?"
Just then Horatio entered the hall.
"Horatio," said Hamlet, "I am very glad to see you!"
Horatio drew Hamlet aside. "My lord," he whispered, "This will shock you. I saw your father’s ghost last night."
"What?" Astonished, Hamlet questioned his friend and then agreed to join the guards and Horatio that evening. "My father’s spirit, in armor!" he thought. "All is not well!"
In another part of the castle, Laertes, the son of Polonius, Claudius’ chief adviser, was preparing to go to France. He went to say good-bye to his sister, Ophelia, in her sewing room.
"Remember to write to me, dear sister," he said.
"Of course," she replied.
"One more thing," he added. "I know Hamlet’s been courting you, but I wouldn’t encourage him. I don’t know if he’s serious about you."
Ophelia bristled at her brother’s words, but before she could reply, their father entered. Polonius had a long gray beard and thought himself quite wise.
"Laertes!" he said, "before you leave, I have some advice for you. Always think before you act. Do not wear clothes that are too fancy. Neither borrow nor lend . . ." The old man went on for several minutes and concluded with, "And above all, to thine own self be true."
"I must go, Father! Ophelia, remember what I said to you," called Laertes as he strode out the door.
"What did he say?" asked Polonius.
"It was about Prince Hamlet," said Ophelia.
"Ah yes." The old man nodded. "I hear he’s been spending a lot of time with you. What is going on?"
"He told me he loves me, Father."
"Hmph," said Polonius. "Beware of young men! Do not believe his vows. And do not waste any more time with him."
Ophelia looked down. "I shall obey, my lord," she said reluctantly.
That night Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus gathered on the guards’ platform.
"What time is it?" asked Hamlet.
"Just past midnight," Marcellus replied. "The time the spirit usually appears."
"Look!" shouted Horatio, "there it is!"
Hamlet stared as the ghostly figure materialized. "Angels defend us!" he cried. "Are you a good spirit or a demon? Answer me!"
The ghost silently beckoned Hamlet to follow him.
"Don’t go," whispered Marcellus fearfully.
"I’m not afraid," declared Hamlet, stepping toward the ghost.
"What if it’s evil?" said Horatio. "What if it means you harm?"
"Stay!" cried Marcellus. He grabbed Hamlet’s right arm. Horatio grabbed his left.
"Let go of me!" roared Hamlet, shaking himself free. To the ghost, he called out, "Go on. I’ll follow you."
As Hamlet strode after the ghost, Horatio said, "I’m worried. Let’s go after him." Marcellus nodded. "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," he muttered.
The ghost led Hamlet away. "I am your father’s spirit," it said, "doomed to walk the night and spend my days consumed by fire until my sins are burned away. Oh Hamlet, if you ever did love me, revenge my terrible murder!"
"Murder?" exclaimed Hamlet, shocked.
"Yes, murder," groaned the ghost. "People say I was bitten by a snake, but that is false! The serpent that stung me now wears my crown and has married my wife. While I was sleeping one day in the garden, your uncle poured a deadly poison in my ear.
It quickly flowed through my blood and killed me. And so my brother deprived me all at once of life, of crown, of queen. He ended my life before I could confess my sins and purify my soul! Hamlet, you must avenge my death! Farewell, remember me."
The ghost vanished into the mist just as Horatio and Marcellus joined Hamlet.
"What happened, my lord?" cried Horatio.
Hamlet just stood there, still stunned. "You must swear to keep it secret," he finally said.
"Swear!" cried the ghost from the darkness.
They all shuddered. The two men swore secrecy, and Hamlet recounted what the ghost had said.
"From now on," said Hamlet, "I’ll pretend to be a little crazy. Then my uncle won’t suspect I’m seeking revenge. These are terrible times, and I dread what I must do to set them right!"