Scene 1: The scene takes place in a castle in Denmark which is preparing for war. Barnado and Francisco are currently guarding the castle, they are about to change with two other guards (Marcelus). Francisco exits and bid goodnight, then Barnado welcomes Horatio and Marcellus.
Suspense starts to build up
Marcellus starts to feel a presence around the castle. The ghost then enters.
Marcellus, Haratio and Bernardo are shocked and begin to question the ghosts presence. Barnado are Marcellus in particular are pushing Haratio to question the ghost. The ghost then becomes offended and exits.
The characters then discuss what has just happened and the ghost presence.
Horatio then remarks that the ghost wore the same amour as the king, giving the idea that the ghost was the dead king.
Marcellus then tells us that the ghost has done this twice before at the exact same time of night.
Horatio then tells us that he has a general idea that this means bad news for the country. *
All the characters then discuss that idea on the ghost presence and then the ghost enters for one last time.
The Ghost spreads his arms and ask about the fate of the country and what will happen to the citizens
A Rooster then enters to add excitement to the scene, Shakespeare uses this to excite the audience after the long communication between all the characters in the scene.
Marcellus, Horatio and Barnado then go to attack the rooster and the ghost exits.
Barnado then explains that the ghost was going to say something when the rooster enters.
Horatio then realizes that the ghost acted startled when the rooster enters, as if he is guilty of something and has just been caught by the law.
Marcellus then says that he knows where he will find him tomorrow
All the characters exit and the scene ends
* When the king or Queen dies, it is a sign of bad things to come as the gods are not pleased with something that has happened in the country previously.
Scene 2: The scene starts off in the morning after Horatio and the guards see the ghost at the castle, King Claudius gives a speech to his people about his recent marriage to Gertrude (His Brothers Wife), this sparks controversy with Prince Hamlet as his uncle is also his father which is very close to being incest as King Claudius is both his uncle and his step-father. King Claudius then expresses his sadness for his brother’s death but also while expressing his happiness for his new wife Gertrude. His speech then concludes.
King Claudius then expresses his concern for Hamlet’s emotions after mourning his father’s death for so long, he also tells hamlet to grow up and get over his father’s death and just accept the fact that he is gone and he is now his new father.
Hamlet then expresses to Claudius how he wishes he could die and tells us even more about his deep sadness for his mother marrying his uncle and how he is a much worse person than his father ever could be. This is expressed in a long Shakespearian soliloquy.
Horatio then enters and says that he has seen what is presumably his father’s ghost in the castle and knows where he will be, Hamlet is asked if he will come watch with them, he agrees and the scene ends.
Scene 3: The scene starts off with Ophelia and Laertes. Laertes is bidding goodbye to and telling us how she hopes that Ophelia will write to her, Ophelia then questions why she doubt that she will write, her question however is completely blanked and Laertes than talks about Prince Hamlet and how the relationship wont last between the two of them as he has duties to attend to like serving his country and this will get in the way of his love life. Laertes also say ” As he in his particular act and place
May give his saying deed, which is no further than the main voice of Denmark goes withal” this shows hamlets love being a factor that is only as far as Denmark will allow it to be. Ophelia replies by saying that she should stop preaching in her love life and tell her to stop worrying, Laertes says she wont worry and Ophelia shouldn’t either.
Polonius then enters and tells Laertes that she should get on the boat on go aswell as give her his blessing for the trip, Laertes says goodbye and exits.
Polonius then asks Ophelia what her brother asked and she replies by saying “So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.”
Polonius then completely agrees with Laertes and says that he is getting abit concerned as she has been spending a lot of time with him recently and Ophelia has been very open for him which her father doesn’t approve off even though it’s because he has been showing Ophelia a lot of Affection recently according to herself.
Polonius then argues with Ophelia by telling her that she should stop being so stupid and stop seeing and talking to Prince Hamlet and the scene ends with Ophelia saying “I shall obey, my lord.” and the scene ends.
Scene 4: The scene takes place during the evening and Horatio, Hamlet and Marcellus enters. Hamlet and Horatio start talking about the weather being cold and nippy and hamlet ask for the time where Horatio replies “I think it lacks of twelve.” and Marcellus immediately corrects his reply by saying “No, it is struck.” meaning it is after midnight.
Two trumpets are then set of on stage and Horatio asks what does it mean. Hamlet replies by saying it means that the king is having a party and is drinking German wine, Horatio then ask if this is a tradition and Hamlet says yes and tells us that this is a part of heritage and the country’s history. The Ghost then enters, Horatio reacts by telling hamlet that it is here and Hamlet starts then starts questioning it motive and if the ghost is his father or not and starts shouting at the ghost because hamlet is terrified by it presence.
The ghost then ask hamlet to come with it, he agrees but both Marcellus and Horatio believe it to be a bad idea because they don’t know for certain the ghost motive or for that matter anything about the ghost at all. as a result of hamlets stubbornness both Horatio and Marcellus try to hold Hamlet back but he protests and manages to escape, Both Hamlet and the ghost exits the scene.
Horatio and Marcellus then believe the best way forward is to follow them and both characters exit and the scene ends.
Scene 5: The scene starts with Hamlet and the Ghost of Hamlet’s father, Hamlet says tp the ghost that he doesn’t want to go any further and he wants to know what he was going to tell him. The ghost tells him that he is actually his father with the line “I am thy father’s spirit” and also that hamlet should be ready to take some revenge. The ghost also reveals that he was murdered by his own brother, who married his wife and has taken over as king “‘Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life
Now wears his crown” Hamlet replies by telling him that he knew it deep down all along, The ghost tells us that his brother poured poison into his ear and leaving him for dead. all this is represented in the lines “My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment, whose effect Holds such an enmity with blood of man That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body
And with a sudden vigor doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk,The thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine”
The ghost reminds him to take revenge by killing his uncle to put things right in the throne and the ghost exits. Marcellus and Horatio enters, Horatio asks if he is alright and hamlet say yes. Horatio and Marcellus asks what has happened and hamlet refuses to say as he might go around telling other people, Horatio and Marcellus reassure Hamlet by telling him they wont tell and he says he will tell the secret. Hamlet says “Any villain in Denmark is going to be, well, a villain” he then ask for them to promise that they wont tell anyone what happened tonight and they agree. The ghost also tell them to swear from under the stage several times and they agree and the scene ends.
End Of Act 1
React!