Hamlet's Soliloquies and Key Events

Hamlet's father, the former King of Denmark, is murdered by his brother, Claudius.

Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, marries Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, shortly after the death of the king.

Hamlet is told by the ghost of his father that Claudius is responsible for his murder.

Polonius, a nobleman, mistakenly believes Hamlet's strange behavior is due to love for Ophelia, his daughter.

Hamlet, seeking to prove Claudius's guilt, stages a play that mirrors the king's murder.

Hamlet, in a fit of rage, accidentally kills Polonius, believing him to be Claudius.

Claudius, attempting to dispose of Hamlet, sends him away to England on a mission that is secretly intended to be his death.

Driven to madness by her father's death, Ophelia drowns in a river.

A term that highlights the speed of Gertrude's marriage to Claudius, comparing it to incestuous sheets.

A type of writing that occurs when a play has been printed multiple times, each version sometimes featuring different words or passages.

A play by William Shakespeare that focuses on the protagonist, Hamlet, and his vengeful quest against his uncle, Claudius, for killing his own father.

The ghost of Hamlet's father, who was murdered by Claudius, reveals to Hamlet the truth about his death and encourages him to avenge his death.

Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, who marries his brother's widow, Gertrude, after killing his brother to become king.

Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, who marries her brother-in-law, Claudius, after the death of her husband, Hamlet's father.

The scene where Hamlet encounters the ghost of his father, who reveals the truth about his death and demands revenge, leaving Hamlet deeply troubled and contemplating his own future.

The scene where Claudius, Hamlet's uncle and the new king, holds court and denies Hamlet's request to return to the university at Wittenberg.

The state of being uncertain or doubtful about something.

The mental and emotional suffering caused by misfortune, pain, or loss.

The natural consequences of being alive, including illness, aging, and death.

The ability to make choices and decisions.

The unknown and uncertain nature of what happens after death.

The burdens and difficulties that people endure in their lives.

The act of taking revenge or harming someone in retaliation for a wrong.

The state of being free from guilt or sin.

Hamlet pretends to be insane to hide his plan for revenge, confusing those around him. This facade allows him to gather information and observe his enemies without arousing suspicion.

Hamlet manipulates the actors to perform a play that mirrors the murder of his father, hoping to provoke Claudius and reveal his guilt.

Hamlet contemplates the nature of revenge, morality, and the impact of his actions.

Hamlet's inner conflict between his desire for revenge and his hesitant nature.

Hamlet secretly records the events of the play, observing Claudius's reaction.

Hamlet's emotional outbursts and violent language reveal his inner turmoil and growing desire for vengeance.

Hamlet's harsh words towards himself and Claudius expose his deep resentment and sense of betrayal.

Hamlet's use of rhetorical questions and dramatic speeches intensifies the emotional impact of his words.

Hamlet's inner conflict stems from his desire for revenge against his uncle, Claudius, for murdering his father, yet he struggles with the moral implications and the fear of the unknown afterlife.

Hamlet contemplates committing suicide but ultimately decides against it due to fear of the unknown afterlife.

Hamlet sees his conscience as a source of weakness and accuses it of making him a coward, preventing him from taking action.

Hamlet wonders if killing Claudius while his soul is being purged, making him ready for death, would be morally right.

Hamlet contemplates different ways to kill Claudius while he's unaware, like when he's drunk or asleep.

Hamlet rejects the idea of taking advantage of Claudius's vulnerable state and decides to wait for a more righteous moment.

Hamlet believes that true greatness stems from finding a reason to act, rather than seeking out unnecessary conflicts.

In this quote, Hamlet expresses frustration about the time he has wasted dwelling on revenge instead of acting. He questions the value of mere thought and contemplates how much better it would be to take swift action.

The sight of Fortinbras's army marching to Poland inspires Hamlet to take immediate action to avenge his father. He views their determination as a model for his own inaction.

Hamlet resolves that his thoughts from now on will be driven by revenge or not be worthy of consideration. He no longer wants to be paralyzed by indecision.

Hamlet contemplates the purpose of life, questioning if it is merely to eat and sleep. He elevates human beings above animals and emphasizes their capacity for reason and thought.

Hamlet believes humans are gifted with reason and contemplation, but these abilities can become useless if not used. He fears that his inaction will ultimately lead to his own downfall.

Hamlet is plagued by indecision, paralyzed by overthinking the consequences of his actions. He contemplates whether his inaction is due to fear or some other internal struggle.

Hamlet challenges the notion of fate, suggesting that personal agency plays a role. He believes that while certain events are predetermined, we still have the power to act within those limitations.

Hamlet's confrontation with death and the inevitability of his own demise. He's resolute in accepting his fate and taking bold action.