Hamlet: a brief retelling of the Acts

In the era of online games and movies, few people read books. But bright shots will leave memory in a few minutes, but the classical literature, which is read for centuries, is remembered forever. It is irrational to deprive yourself of the opportunity to enjoy the immortal creations of geniuses, because they bear not only aesthetic pleasure, but also answers to many questions that have not lost their acuity in hundreds of years. To such diamonds of world literature is "Hamlet", a brief retelling of which is waiting for you below.

About Shakespeare. "Hamlet": the history of creation

The genius of literature and theater was born in 1564, baptized on April 26. But the exact date of birth is not known. Biography of the amazing writer has acquired many myths and conjectures. Perhaps this is due to the lack of accurate knowledge and the replacement of their conjectures.

It is known that little William grew up in a wealthy family. From a young age he attended school, but he could not finish it because of the material difficulties. Soon there will be a transfer to London, where Shakespeare "Hamlet" will be created. The retelling of the tragedy is designed to inspire schoolchildren, students, people who love literature, read it whole or go to the same performance.

The tragedy was created on the basis of a "wandering" plot about the Danish prince Amlet, whose uncle killed his father to take over the state. The origins of the plot of criticism were found in the Danish chronicles of the Saxo Grammar, dating back to about the 12th century. During the development of theatrical art, an unknown author creates a drama on this subject, borrowing it from the French writer François de Beaufort. Most likely, it is in the theater that Shakespeare learns this story and creates the tragedy "Hamlet" (for a brief narrative see below).

The first act

A brief retelling of Hamlet according to the acts will give an idea of the plot of the tragedy.

The act begins with the conversation of two officers, Bernardo and Marcellus, about what they saw at night a ghost, which is very similar to the late king. After a conversation, they really see a ghost. The soldiers try to talk to him, but the spirit does not answer them.

Further the reader sees the present king, Claudius, and Hamlet, the son of the deceased king. Claudius says that he married Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. Learning of this, Hamlet is very upset. He remembers what a worthy owner of the royal throne was his father, and how his parents loved each other. Only a month had passed since his death, and his mother was married. A friend of the prince, Horatio, tells him that he saw a ghost, insanely similar to his father. Hamlet decides to go with his comrade to night duty to see everything with his own eyes.

Brother Hamlet's brother of Ophelia, Laertes, leaves and says goodbye to his sister.

Hamlet at the duty station sees a ghost. This is the spirit of his dead father. He tells his son that he died not from the bite of a snake, but from the treachery of his brother, who took his throne. Claudius poured into his brother's ears bleach juice, which poisoned and instantly killed him. Father asks for revenge for his murder. Later, Hamlet briefly retold the message he tells his friend Horatio.

The second act

Polonius talks to his daughter Ophelia. She is frightened, because she saw Hamlet. He had a very strange appearance, and his behavior indicated a strong confusion of spirit. The news of the frenzy of Hamlet flies around the kingdom. Polonius talks to Hamlet and notices that, despite seeming folly, the prince's conversations are very logical and consistent.

To Hamlet, his friends Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern come. They tell the prince that a very talented actor's corpse has arrived in the city. Hamlet asks them to tell everyone that he has lost his mind. They are joined by Polonius and also informs about the actors.

The third act

Claudius asks Guildenstern if he knows the cause of Hamlet's insanity.

Together with the queen and Polonius, they decide to arrange a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia, in order to understand whether, out of love for her, he is going crazy.

In this act he utters his brilliant monologue "To Be or Not to Be" by Hamlet. The paraphrase will not convey the whole essence of the monologue, we recommend reading it yourself.

The prince talks about something with the actors.

The presentation begins. The actors portray the king and queen. The play asked Hamlet to play, a very brief retelling of the latest events to the actors allowed them to show on the stage the circumstances of the fatal death of Hamlet's father. The king falls asleep in the garden, he is poisoned, and the criminal conquers the confidence of the queen. Claudius does not stand such a spectacle and orders to stop the performance. Together with the queen they leave.

Guildenstern sends Hamlet a request from his mother to talk to her.

Claudius tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he wants to send the prince to England.

Polonius hides behind the curtains in Gertrude's room and waits for Hamlet. During their conversation, the prince is the spirit of his father and asks not to terrify his mother by his behavior, but focus on revenge.

Hamlet beats the sword on heavy curtains and accidentally kills Polonius. He reveals to his mother a terrible secret about the death of his father.

The Fourth Act

The fourth act of the tragedy is full of tragic events. More and more, it seems to others, prince Hamlet is going crazy (a brief retelling of the 4 acts will give a more precise explanation of his actions).

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet where the body of Polonius is. The prince does not tell them, blaming the courtiers for seeking only the privileges and favor of the king.

To the queen lead Ophelia. The girl has gone mad from the experience. Secretly returned Laertes. He and a group of people supporting him broke the guards and tried to enter the castle.

Horatio brings a letter from Hamlet, where it says that the ship on which he sailed, was captured by pirates. Prince in captivity with them.

The king tells Laertes, who seeks revenge for the death of his father, who is to blame for his death, hoping that Laertes will kill Hamlet.

The Queen is brought word that Ophelia died. She drowned in the river.

Fifth act

The conversation between two gravediggers is described. They consider Ophelia a suicide and condemn her.

At the funeral of Ophelia, Laert rushes into the pit. There Hamlet also jumps, sincerely suffering from the death of the former lover.

After Laertes and Hamlet go to the bout. They hurt each other. The queen takes a cup from Claudius, intended for Hamlet, and drinks. The cup is poisoned, Gertrude dies. The weapon Claudius had prepared was also poisoned. Both Hamlet and Laert already feel the effect of the poison. Hamlet kills Claudius with the same sword. Horatio reaches for a poisoned glass, but Hamlet asks him to stop to reveal all the secrets and clear his name. Fortinbras learns the truth and orders to bury Hamlet with honors.

Why read a short narration of the story "Hamlet"?

This question often worries modern schoolchildren. We begin with the formulation of the question. He is not quite right, for Hamlet is not a story, his genre is a tragedy.

Its main theme is the theme of revenge. It may seem irrelevant, but its essence is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, "Hamlet" is intertwined with many sub-themes: loyalty, love, friendship, honor and duty. It is difficult to find a person who has remained indifferent after reading the tragedy. Another reason to read this immortal work is Hamlet's monologue. "To be or not to be" was said thousands of times, here are questions and answers, which have not lost their sharpness for almost five centuries. Unfortunately, the whole emotional coloring of the work will not be given a brief retelling. Shakespeare created Hamlet on the basis of legends, but his tragedy overgrew the sources and became a world masterpiece.