Hamlet

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, usually called Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Set in Denmark's Elsinore Castle, it centers on Prince Hamlet's investigation into his father's death and his slow pursuit of revenge after the ghost of King Hamlet reveals that Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, murdered him and now wears the crown.

The play's composition dates to roughly 1599–1601. It was first printed in 1603 as a quarto and later in the First Folio of 1623; the text exists in several versions with textual variants. It is typically divided into five acts and written largely in blank verse, with occasional prose for lower-status characters.

The play features a famous "play within a play" used by Hamlet to test Claudius's guilt, and several notable soliloquies, including "To be, or not to be." The theme centers on action and inaction, appearance versus reality, mortality, and political corruption.

Plot overview: After the ghost's revelation, Hamlet spurns Ophelia and feigns madness while plotting revenge. Polonius is killed, leading to Ophelia's descent and death. Laertes returns, aligns with Claudius, and a fatal duel ends with the deaths of Gertrude's son Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and others, with Fortinbras arriving to assume control.

Characters: Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia, Polonius, Laertes, Horatio, the Ghost of King Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Fortinbras.

Legacy: Hamlet is widely regarded as one of Shakespeare's greatest works, a cornerstone of English literature and theater, notable for its rich characterizations and philosophical depth; it has inspired extensive critical interpretation and adaptations in literature, film, and stage.