Hamlet Act 1 Summary

The play begins with Officers switching positions. Both men are frightened when they hear footsteps. For the past couple nights, the men have been seeing the ghost of ex-king, Hamlet. At first, Horatio doesn't believe the men until he is bombarded when he sees the ghost. Horatio warns them that the ghost is impending misfortunes. Inside the castle, King Claudius explains to his guardsmen that he is now married to Gertrude, his brother's widow. Hamlet is still mourning his father's death, and receives advice from Claudius. Once everyone leaves, Hamlet exclaims that he wishes he could die. As Laertes is preparing to leave for France, his father Polonius advises him on to behave with integrity and practicality. Laertes and Polonius lecture Ophelia about Hamlet's love for her. A while later, Hamlet sees the ghost of his father and follows it. his companions urge him not, but after a moment, Horatio and Marcellus follow after Hamlet and the ghost. The ghost speaks to Hamlet and reveals that King Claudius murdered him with poison and has corrupted Denmark and Gertrude. The ghost urges Hamlet to seek revenge on Claudius, not Gertrude.