Hamlet Summary
Description
Here you will find a Hamlet summary (William Shakespeare's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters Hamlet Summary Overview
In the frosty gloom of a Danish fortress, a specter resembling the freshly deceased king is spotted by guards and a scholar named Horatio. Upon being shown the apparition, the late king's son, Prince Hamlet, is informed that his father's soul is trapped, having been murdered by his brother Claudius, who now sits on the throne and is wed to Gertrude, the widowed queen. The phantom assigns Hamlet the task of avenging his death and then vanishes. Hamlet takes on this mission, but his reflective character causes him to hesitate, resulting in his descent into profound sadness and seeming insanity. Claudius and Gertrude are troubled by the prince’s unpredictable behavior and try to unearth its roots. They enlist his friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to monitor him. When Polonius, the pretentious Lord Chamberlain, theorizes that Hamlet's madness stems from love for his daughter, Ophelia, Claudius agrees to eavesdrop on a conversation between them. A group of actors arrive at the castle, and Hamlet orchestrates a performance mirroring the murder he presumes his uncle committed. When the simulated murder is enacted, Claudius abruptly exits, confirming his guilt to Hamlet and Horatio. In a room belonging to his mother, where Polonius is secretly hiding, Hamlet mistakenly kills the Lord Chamberlain, believing him to be the king. For this, Hamlet is exiled to England, but unbeknownst to him, Claudius has ordered his execution upon arrival. After her father's death, Ophelia succumbs to madness and tragically drowns. Claudius manipulates Laertes, Ophelia's brother, into believing Hamlet is the cause of their family's misfortunes and plans a fencing match with a poisoned blade to ensure Hamlet’s demise. However, the scheme backfires, resulting in multiple deaths, including Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius, and ultimately, Hamlet himself. The Norwegian prince, Fortinbras, arrives to find the royal family dead and assumes control of the kingdom, while Horatio recounts the tragic tale of Hamlet.
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On a chilly night at Denmark's Elsinore Castle, Bernardo replaces Francisco as the on-duty guard. In the gloom, they struggle to identify each other until they confirm that they're both on the same side. Exhausted and nervous from his long shift, Francisco is grateful for the changeover and heads home to rest. Soon, Bernardo is joined by another guard, Marcellus, and Hamlet's friend, Horatio. Marcellus and Bernardo have persuaded Horatio to join them, as they claim they have something shocking to show him - what they believe to be the spirit of the recently passed King Hamlet, appearing on the castle's walls late at night. Horatio doubts their story, until the apparition suddenly manifests and then disappears. Horatio, deeply shaken, agrees that the ghost resembles the late King. He notes that the specter wears the same battle gear King Hamlet had on during his fights against Norway and Poland. Horatio thinks the ghost's appearance suggests that danger might be looming over Denmark, possibly a military threat. He shares King Hamlet's history of victory over certain Norwegian territories, which Prince Fortinbras of Norway now aims to reclaim. When the ghost appears again, Horatio tries to communicate with it. Despite his efforts, the ghost stays silent and fades away as dawn approaches. Horatio proposes they inform Prince Hamlet of the ghostly encounter, believing the spirit might speak to the late King's beloved son, even though it remained silent with him.
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Following the ghost sighting, King Claudius addresses the court, acknowledging his quick marriage to his brother's widow, Gertrude, and Prince Hamlet's mother. He balances his grief for his late brother with happiness for his marriage. Claudius reveals a letter from young Fortinbras demanding the return of lost lands, sending Cornelius and Voltimand to reply to the King of Norway, Fortinbras's uncle. After his speech, Claudius talks to Laertes, Polonius's son, who wishes to go back to France. Polonius gives his blessing, and Claudius happily agrees. Claudius then questions why Hamlet is still in mourning attire. Gertrude asks him to stop wearing black, but Hamlet retorts that his inner grief is far greater. Claudius advises Hamlet that it's natural to lose a father and mourn, but excessive mourning is unmanly. He asks Hamlet to see him as a father and reminds him of his future kingship. Claudius and Gertrude express their wish for Hamlet not to return to Wittenberg University, as initially planned. Hamlet reluctantly agrees. Claudius, pleased with Hamlet's decision, plans a celebration. Left alone, Hamlet wishes he could vanish. Agonized over his father's death and his mother's rushed marriage to his uncle, he curses his mother for marrying his inferior uncle so soon after his father's death. The room brightens as Horatio enters, followed by Marcellus and Bernardo. Hamlet is glad to see his old university friend. When asked why Horatio is in Denmark, he replies he came for King Hamlet's funeral. Hamlet retorts that it was to witness his mother's wedding. Horatio then tells Hamlet about the ghost they believe to be his father. Surprised, Hamlet decides to join them in their watch for the ghost.
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At Polonius's residence, Laertes readies himself for his journey to France. He warns his sister, Ophelia, about the dangers of falling for Hamlet due to the prince's high status and his responsibilities towards their kingdom, which might hinder him from pursuing a relationship with her. Ophelia acknowledges Laertes' words of wisdom and cheekily reminds him to be a man of his words. Laertes assures her of his self-care. Polonius enters the room to bid his son goodbye. While urging Laertes to be quick, he simultaneously offers him a plethora of advice on maintaining his moral character and practicality. He encourages Laertes to be thoughtful, patient, respectful and true to his own self. His counsel embodies various aspects like the importance of old friends, the need for restraint in making new friends, bravery, the art of listening, dressing appropriately, and the significance of neither borrowing nor lending money. As Laertes departs, he bids Ophelia goodbye. Left alone with his daughter, Polonius inquires about Laertes' parting words. Ophelia mentions that it was related to Hamlet. On probing further, Polonius learns about Hamlet's professed love for Ophelia. He sternly reiterates Laertes' warning and prohibits Ophelia from interacting with Hamlet. He insinuates that Hamlet's love is a mere deception, and urges her to reject his advances. Ophelia dutifully concurs with her father's directives.
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Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus stand guard in the chilly night, anticipating the ghost's reappearance. The sound of trumpets and gunfire signals the king's indulgence in midnight festivities, a Danish tradition. Hamlet finds this practice disgusting, arguing that it tarnishes Denmark's image and undermines its achievements. As the ghost manifests, it signals Hamlet to join it, despite his friends' pleas for caution. Hamlet is uncertain if the apparition is truly his father's spirit or a malicious demon. Regardless, he decides to follow it, dismissing any risks to his life or immortal soul. He chases the ghost, leaving Horatio and Marcellus in shock. They perceive this as an ill omen. Although Horatio trusts Heaven's judgment, Marcellus feels they should protect Hamlet themselves. Eventually, both decide to tail Hamlet and the ghost into the darkness.
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In the inky night, Hamlet encounters the specter of his father, who enlightens him about the truth of his death. The spirit reveals that he was assassinated through an act of treachery, poisoned by the very man who now occupies his throne, Claudius. This shocking discovery affirms Hamlet's suspicions about his uncle. The ghost goads Hamlet into avenging his death, revealing that Claudius has not only taken over Denmark, but also seduced Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. However, he pleads with Hamlet to spare his mother, entrusting her fate to divine judgement and her own remorse. As morning dawns, the phantom vanishes, leaving behind an emotionally stirred Hamlet, who swears to heed and remember the spirit's words. Horatio and Marcellus, finding Hamlet in a state of agitation, attempt to inquire about the incident. Hamlet, however, declines to share the details and commands them to swear on his blade to keep the night's happenings a secret. He also warns them that he might feign madness, and they mustn't show any signs of knowing his true intentions. The ghost's voice resonates thrice from beneath the ground, demanding their oath of silence. They obligingly swear on Hamlet's weapon and the trio departs for the castle, leaving a burdened Hamlet lamenting his newfound responsibility: "The world's gone awry: cursed destiny / That I was born to set it straight!"
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Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to France. He gives him money, notes for Laertes, and instructions to discreetly observe Laertes' activities. Following Reynaldo's departure, a distressed Ophelia enters. She recounts Hamlet's strange behavior - he approached her in a disheveled state, held her tightly, sighed deeply but remained silent. Polonius suggests that Hamlet's madness could be due to his love for Ophelia, especially since she has been avoiding him on Polonius' orders. Polonius decides that this love-struck condition could explain Hamlet's recent change in demeanor and rushes off to share his theory with Claudius.
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Within the fortified residence, Claudius and Gertrude greet Hamlet’s Wittenberg pals, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They're troubled by Hamlet’s sporadic conduct and ongoing grief for his father and hope his friends might lift his spirits, or uncover the reason for his gloom. The friends agree to look into the matter and Gertrude commands her staff to take them to her greatly altered son. Polonius shows up, announcing the ambassadors' return from Norway. Voltimand and Cornelius recount their dealings with the elderly and sick Norwegian king. The king scolded Fortinbras for planning to wage war against Denmark, and Fortinbras pledged to never attack the Danes. Instead, the Norwegian king awarded Fortinbras a generous annuity and encouraged him to wage war against Poland. Claudius is asked to permit Fortinbras’s armies to pass safely through Denmark en route to Poland. Claudius is relieved to avoid conflict with Fortinbras’s forces and promises to address this matter later. Polonius then insists Hamlet’s love for Ophelia has driven him mad. He presents love letters and poems from Hamlet to Ophelia and suggests a plan to confirm his theory. They'll watch from behind a curtain as Ophelia confronts Hamlet and judge whether his madness stems from his love for her. The king agrees to the plan. As Hamlet approaches, engrossed in a book, Polonius decides to engage him in conversation and Gertrude and Claudius leave them alone. Polonius tries to chat with Hamlet, who behaves strangely, calling him a “fishmonger” and responding nonsensically. But Hamlet’s seemingly mad remarks often contain sharp comments about Polonius’s vanity and advanced age. Polonius feels that despite Hamlet’s madness, his replies hold significant meaning. He leaves, determined to organize the meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear after Polonius leaves and Hamlet is glad to see them. They discuss recent events in Denmark. Hamlet, suspecting they were sent by the king and queen, challenges their claim of a casual visit. They admit this is true and Hamlet reveals that he's aware of the reason: he's in a state of melancholy. Rosencrantz mentions a theatrical group headed to the castle, making Hamlet wonder how he will handle their arrival. Upon their arrival, he welcomes them and asks for a specific performance about the fall of Troy and the death of Priam and Hecuba. Impressed, he asks Polonius to arrange their accommodation and requests the performance of The Murder of Gonzago along with a short speech he'll write himself. Hamlet then leaves Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and finds himself alone. Alone, Hamlet laments his inability to act despite his strong motives, while the actor could express deep feelings for distant, fictional characters. He plans to trick Claudius into watching a play mirroring the murder of Hamlet’s father, hoping to see a sign of guilt if Claudius is indeed guilty. Then, Hamlet will have undeniable proof of Claudius’s guilt.
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Claudius and Gertrude talk with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about Hamlet's odd behavior. They reveal Hamlet's excitement for the actors' performance, prompting Claudius and Gertrude to decide to watch the play that night. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave, Claudius tells Gertrude to go, too. He plans to eavesdrop on Hamlet's meeting with Ophelia, with Polonius' help. Once Gertrude leaves, Polonius instructs Ophelia to roam the hall. Hearing Hamlet's approach, both men hide. Hamlet appears, contemplating life and death: "To be, or not to be: that is the question" (III.i.58). He argues that people endure life's hardships out of fear of the unknown afterlife. Seeing Ophelia, he becomes enraged when she tries to give back his gifts of love. He denies giving her anything and criticizes the deceiving nature of beauty. He accuses her of making men into monsters and advises her to join a nunnery. He rants about the dishonesty of women and humans, expressing a wish to end all marriages. Departing angrily, Ophelia grieves for the once "noble mind" now seemingly insane (III.i.149). Emerging from their hideout, Claudius doubts Hamlet's love for Ophelia and his supposed madness. He expresses concern about the potential danger in Hamlet's melancholy. Claudius plans to send Hamlet to England, hoping new surroundings will alleviate his woes. Polonius, however, still believes Hamlet's distressed state results from his love for Ophelia. He proposes that they spy on Hamlet after the play in Gertrude's room to confirm his theory. Claudius agrees, stating the importance of monitoring the madness of powerful people (III.i.187).
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In the castle hall, now a makeshift theater, Hamlet instructs the players on their roles for his play. Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter, and Hamlet sends them to hasten the players. Upon Horatio's arrival, Hamlet expresses his deep respect for Horatio's intellect and self-control. He reveals to Horatio the ghost's story of his father's murder by Claudius and requests his friend to keenly observe Claudius during the play to gauge his reaction. Horatio agrees, promising to look for signs of Claudius' guilt. As the royal audience assembles to the sound of a Danish march, Hamlet anticipates his imminent eccentric behavior to Horatio. As predicted, he responds oddly to Claudius's inquiry about his well-being and teases Polonius and Ophelia with veiled erotic puns. The players perform a silent iteration of the play (a "dumbshow") depicting a queen and king in love. While the king sleeps, a man kills him by pouring poison in his ear, then tries to woo the queen. The full enactment of the play reveals that the murderer is the king's nephew. Hamlet's commentary on the play and continued teasing of Ophelia persist throughout the performance. Claudius's abrupt exit upon the scene of the poisoned king causes a chaotic end to the play. Following the chaotic interruption, Hamlet and Horatio assess Claudius's reaction as telling. An agitated Hamlet continues to act unpredictably, making up spontaneous poems. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern inform Hamlet of his mother's summoning him to her room. Hamlet accuses them of manipulating him before Polonius arrives to bring him to the queen. Alone momentarily, Hamlet resolves to be brutally truthful with his mother but not lose his self-control.
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Within the castle, King Claudius is conversing with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Disturbed by the play's events and believing Hamlet's insanity is threatening, Claudius orders them to accompany Hamlet to England without delay. They agree and depart to get ready. Polonius steps in and reminds the king about his scheme to eavesdrop on Hamlet's talk with Gertrude. He assures Claudius he will report back everything he discovers. After Polonius departs, the king is left alone, and he confesses his remorse and distress about his wrongdoing. He talks about fratricide being the oldest sin and is burdened by its curse. He wishes to seek pardon but admits he isn't ready to let go of his gains through the murder— the throne and the queen. He kneels down in prayer. Quietly, Hamlet enters the room, preparing to murder the oblivious Claudius. However, he realizes that killing Claudius during prayer would send his soul to heaven since he'd be repenting his sins. Hamlet considers this too lenient a punishment, especially as Claudius denied Hamlet's father a chance for last rites, thus ensuring he didn't reach heaven. Hamlet decides to delay, planning to murder Claudius when he's sinning—either intoxicated, enraged, or lustful. He exits. Claudius stands up, admitting his prayers lack sincerity: "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below".
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In the queen's room, Gertrude and Polonius prepare for Hamlet's visit. Polonius plans to secretly listen to Gertrude's interaction with Hamlet, hoping to understand his odd and menacing behavior. Polonius suggests Gertrude should reprimand Hamlet for his recent actions. She agrees and Polonius hides behind a tapestry. Hamlet enters, questioning his mother's reasons for summoning him. She accuses him of disrespecting his stepfather, Claudius. Hamlet counters, accusing her of insulting his dead father, King Hamlet, by marrying Claudius. Hamlet intensifies his argument, intending to make Gertrude realize the depth of her wrongdoing. Fearing for her safety, Gertrude shrieks, causing Polonius to call for help. Assuming Claudius is hiding behind the tapestry, Hamlet stabs it, killing Polonius. Gertrude questions Hamlet's actions, and he inquires if he has killed the king. Gertrude calls Hamlet's act reckless and violent, to which he retorts that it's no more violent than killing a king and marrying his brother. Hamlet discovers Polonius's body and realizes he has killed an innocent man instead of Claudius. He insults the dead Polonius and turns his attention back to Gertrude, expressing his disdain for Claudius. Gertrude pleads for mercy, admitting she doesn't like what she now sees in herself. Hamlet continues to criticize Gertrude and Claudius when suddenly his father's ghost reappears. Hamlet speaks to the ghost, but Gertrude can't see it and thinks Hamlet has gone mad. The ghost instructs Hamlet to stay focused on his mission to kill Claudius. Hamlet tries to convince Gertrude of the apparition's presence, but she sees nothing. Hamlet begs Gertrude to abandon Claudius and regain her integrity, also asking her to keep his feigned madness a secret. Gertrude agrees to keep quiet, still disturbed by Hamlet's harsh words. Hamlet then points to Polonius's corpse, blaming heaven for his actions. As Hamlet departs, he informs Gertrude of his impending trip to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, whom he does not trust. He leaves the room, dragging Polonius's body behind him.
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Gertrude hastily meets with Claudius after her unsettling encounter with Hamlet. She interrupts Claudius's discussion with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, requesting a private conversation. Once alone, she informs Claudius about Hamlet's deranged behavior and his murder of Polonius. Claudius, shocked, realizes the danger he's in, as Hamlet could have easily killed him instead. He starts considering how to manage this crisis without losing his grip on Denmark. Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England immediately and figure out a way to disclose Hamlet's crime to the court and the citizens. He then summons Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, informs them about the murder, and instructs them to locate Hamlet.
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Hamlet, having hidden Polonius's body, smugly states that it's "safely hidden away." When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask about its whereabouts, Hamlet cryptically tells them that "The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body." Pretending to be insulted by their questioning, he labels them as Claudius's informants. He compares Rosencrantz to a "sponge...that absorbs the king's favor, his rewards, his powers," cautioning him that once he's no longer useful, he'll be discarded. Eventually, he consents to be led to Claudius by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
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The king informs his servants about Polonius's demise and his plans of sending Hamlet to England. Hamlet is brought in by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, under supervision. When Claudius asks Hamlet about Polonius's body, Hamlet responds with wit and evasion, indicating that worms are feasting on the body and that Claudius could send a messenger to heaven or go to hell himself to find Polonius. Ultimately, Hamlet discloses that Polonius's body is under the stairs near the castle entrance, prompting the king to send his servants to verify. Claudius instructs Hamlet to depart immediately for England, to which Hamlet agrees with eagerness. As Hamlet leaves, Claudius commands Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to ensure his swift embarkation on the ship. In solitude, Claudius expresses his wish that England will comply with the secret orders he has sent with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The orders dictate the execution of Prince Hamlet.
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Young Prince Fortinbras leads his army across Denmark, en route to wage war against Poland. He instructs his captain to seek the Danish King's consent to cross his territory. The captain bumps into Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern, who are on their way to England. He shares with them that the Norwegians aim to contest with the Poles. When Hamlet learns that the dispute regards an unprofitable piece of land, he is stupefied that war can erupt over something so minor. This leads him to reflect on his own inaction in avenging his father's death by killing Claudius, despite it being a matter of far greater consequence. He feels revolted by his lack of resolve and pledges to be resolute and bloody-minded henceforth.
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Gertrude and Horatio converse about Ophelia, who’s descended into madness following her father's demise. Gertrude is hesitant to meet the distraught Ophelia, while Horatio insists on showing her sympathy. Ophelia enters, behaving oddly and wearing floral garlands. She sings nonsensical songs, showing signs of insanity. Claudius, having heard Ophelia's delirious babblings, deduces that she is mourning her father's death. He also suggests that the public is uneasy due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Polonius's death and mentions the clandestine return of Laertes from France. Suddenly, a loud noise reverberates through the castle. A knight warns Claudius of Laertes's arrival with a mob. The crowd acknowledges Laertes as their leader with some even whispering about his potential Kingship. An enraged Laertes barges into the hall, thirsty for revenge for his father's death. Claudius tries to pacify him by admitting Polonius's death, while Gertrude insists on Claudius’s innocence. Ophelia's reentry, clearly in a state of madness, rekindles Laertes's anger. Claudius maintains his innocence in Polonius's death and commends Laertes for his thirst for justice, directing it towards the right culprit. He persuades Laertes to hear his side of the story, promising to address all his concerns about his father's death, and echoes Laertes's call for justice.
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In a different area of the fortress, Horatio meets two seamen who deliver a letter from Hamlet. The letter reveals that pirates seized his vessel and have brought him back to Denmark. Hamlet requests Horatio to guide the seamen to the monarchs as they carry news for them too. Furthermore, he mentions having significant information about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Subsequent to leading the seamen to the king, Horatio ventures onward to locate Hamlet, who is situated in the countryside near the fortress.
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Horatio converses with the sailors while Claudius and Laertes discuss Polonius's death. Claudius justifies his actions of secretly burying Polonius and not punishing Hamlet, due to the love the public and queen have for him. A messenger delivers a letter from Hamlet to Claudius, announcing his return. Laertes is content as Hamlet's return promises swift revenge. Claudius acknowledges Hamlet's threat to his rule and conspires with Laertes to kill him. Claudius suggests exploiting Hamlet's envy of Laertes' swordsmanship, praised by a Frenchman, by arranging a duel between the two. This would give Laertes an opportunity to kill Hamlet without arousing suspicion. They agree, and plot to use a sharpened sword as opposed to a blunt fencing blade. Furthermore, Laertes plans to poison his sword, ensuring Hamlet's death even with a minor wound. Claudius devises an alternative plan where he will give Hamlet a poisoned celebratory wine if he survives the duel. Gertrude brings heartrending news of Ophelia's accidental drowning. Devastated by his sister's death following his father's demise, Laertes abruptly leaves. Claudius, fearing Laertes' rage will be reignited by this news, calls Gertrude to follow him.
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At a cemetery, two gravediggers are preparing a burial spot for Ophelia, debating if it's right to bury her in holy ground as her death seems self-inflicted. The witty first gravedigger poses a riddle to the second about who builds stronger - the mason, carpenter, or shipwright. The second gravedigger guesses incorrectly that it's the gallows-maker. The first gravedigger asserts it's actually the gravedigger, whose "houses" last till the end of the world. Hamlet and Horatio observe the gravediggers from afar. Hamlet ponders over the unearthed skulls, guessing their previous professions. Upon inquiring whose grave is being dug, the gravedigger jests that it's his own as he is the one digging it. Eventually, he tells Hamlet it's for a woman, without recognizing Hamlet as the prince. He mentions he's been a gravedigger since the day Hamlet was born. Hamlet finds a skull that belonged to Yorick, the late king's jester. This visage of death leads Hamlet to reflect on the inevitability of death, even for great men like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Suddenly, a funeral procession for Ophelia arrives, including Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and many courtiers. Hamlet and Horatio hide, and Hamlet notices incomplete funeral rites, signifying a suicide. Seeing Ophelia's body, Hamlet realizes she is the deceased. Laertes, enraged with the priest's refusal for a Christian burial, jumps into Ophelia’s grave. In passionate grief, Hamlet reveals himself, proclaiming his love for Ophelia. He jumps into the grave and brawls with Laertes, claiming his love for Ophelia surpasses that of "forty thousand brothers". Claudius and Gertrude label Hamlet as mad and he leaves in a huff, followed by Horatio. Claudius advises Laertes to be patient and recall their revenge plan.
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At Elsinore Castle, Hamlet reveals to Horatio his cunning plot that thwarted Claudius's plans to have him killed in England. He admits to replacing the original letter, which ordered his execution, with a revised version demanding the execution of the unsuspecting bearers, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Despite their betrayal, Hamlet expresses remorse for treating Laertes with hostility, as he sees their mutual desire for revenge over their fathers' deaths. He vows to mend fences with Laertes. Their discussion is cut short by Osric, a fawning courtier, who has been sent to invite Hamlet to a fencing match against Laertes. Claudius has bet on Hamlet's victory. Despite Horatio's reservations, Hamlet accepts the challenge, hinting at his readiness for death. He then seeks Laertes' forgiveness for his rash action that led to Polonius's death, attributing it to his madness rather than his true intent. As the duel commences, Claudius promises to toast Hamlet's victories with a precious, and secretly poison-laced, gem in his wine. Even though Hamlet scores the initial hits, he refuses to drink from the cup. Gertrude, however, drinks from it despite Claudius's attempts to dissuade her. As the fight continues, Laertes manages to wound Hamlet with the poisoned sword, but during a scuffle, the swords are exchanged and Hamlet strikes back with the same poisoned weapon. In the ensuing chaos, Gertrude collapses and a dying Laertes reveals Claudius's treacherous scheme involving the poisoned sword and wine. Enraged, Hamlet stabs Claudius with the tainted sword and forces him to consume the remaining poisoned wine, leading to Claudius's death. As Hamlet and Laertes reconcile and exchange their final words, Gertrude and Laertes succumb to their inevitable ends. The sounds of marching and gunfire announce the arrival of Fortinbras. Realizing his impending demise, Hamlet implores Horatio to live on and recount the tragic tale. He endorses Fortinbras as the next King of Denmark before breathing his last. Fortinbras enters the room with the English ambassadors who disclose the demise of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Horatio pledges to share the entire tragic story. Fortinbras commands a soldier's funeral for Hamlet.
