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Scene 1: Bernardo relieves Francisco from his watch before the castle. Marcellus arrives with Horatio. Once Francisco has gone, Bernardo and Marcellus discuss with Horatio their encounter with the ghost the previous evening. Horatio is skeptical of their claims.
The ghost appears and Horatio tries to question it. The ghost refuses to speak and departs. Marcellus asks why the watch is necessary. Horatio tells the story of how years ago, Old Hamlet defeated Old Fortinbras in battle, gaining from him certain lands. Young Fortinbras, who has yet to prove himself in battle, is disputing Denmark's claim to the land now that Old Hamlet is dead. Horatio theorizes that the appearance of the old king may be a portent of danger ahead.
The ghost reappears but once more refuses to speak to Horatio, then vanishes as morning approaches. Bernardo, Marcellus and Horatio resolve to inform young Hamlet of what they " ve seen. Scene 2: Claudius is holding court. He begins with a brief eulogy for his dead brother, the former king, then he addresses his ambassadors who are being sent to Norway to petition the king to intervene on Denmark's behalf with Fortinbras, who has asked Denmark to surrender the land once held by his father. The ambassadors depart with the promise that they " ll do their best.
Next Claudius speaks to Laertes, who has requested leave to return to France. Claudius asks Polonius if he consents to let Laertes leave and Polonius says he agrees. Claudius grants Laertes permission to leave. Finally, Claudius turns to Hamlet, who is still in mourning for his father. After a brief exchange, Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, tells him to get over his grief and enjoy his position at court. Hamlet admonishes his mother and in turn, Claudius admonishes Hamlet for his "unmanly grief." Claudius then tells Hamlet that he does not want him to return to his studies at Wittenberg.
Gertrude implores Hamlet to stay and Hamlet replies that he will obey her. Claudius declares his approval of Hamlet's accord and escorts Gertrude away. Hamlet remains behind, lamenting that his fortunes are so bad but that he is forbidden from ending his life due to the religious conventions of his day. Horatio, Bernardo and Marcellus enter. Hamlet is happy to see Horatio, his old schoolmate.
After a brief exchange, Horatio tells Hamlet of his encounter with the ghost. Hamlet questions Horatio and the rest about the circumstances of the encounter, then agrees to join them on watch that night. Scene 3: Laertes, preparing to leave, is speaking with his sister Ophelia about Hamlet. Ophelia reveals that recently, Hamlet has displayed affection for her which Laertes says she should reject.
He explains that Hamlet is subject to the laws that govern his place at court and is not free to marry who he chooses. Ophelia tells Laertes that she will follow his advice. Polonius enters and admonishes Laertes for his lack of haste in departing, then begins to offer him advice on how he should conduct himself while abroad. Laertes bids his father and sister farewell and once again reminds Ophelia of his advice about Hamlet.
Ophelia says she will remember. Once he has gone, Polonius asks Ophelia what Laertes meant about Hamlet. She informs her father of the attentions Hamlet has been showing her and Polonius echoes the warnings Laertes gave her regarding Hamlet's station in life. Scene 4: Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus enter. Horatio hears a booming noise and asks what it is.
Hamlet explains that Claudius is having a party and whenever he empties his glass the drums and trumpet sound. Horatio asks if this is customary and Hamlet replies that it is, but rarely observed. He then goes on to lament the sad state that Denmark has fallen into under Claudius. The ghost appears and Hamlet addresses it. The ghost does not answer but motions for Hamlet to follow him. Hamlet agrees, but Marcellus and Horatio try to stop him.
Hamlet draws his sword and once again tells the ghost he will follow. They exit but are followed at a safe distance by Marcellus and Horatio. Scene 5: Hamlet follows the ghost to a secluded spot, then implores it to speak to him. The ghost reveals that he is the spirit of his father doomed to walk the night until the crimes done during his life are purged. The ghost then asks Hamlet to avenge his murder and reveals that it was Claudius that killed him. The ghost goes on to explain that Claudius poisoned him while he was asleep in his garden.
Old Hamlet died without having the opportunity to ask forgiveness for his sins, which led to his ghostly state. As morning comes on, the ghost vanishes again, but asks Hamlet to remember him and to carry out Hamlet's promise of revenge. Horatio and Marcellus catch up with Hamlet and ask him what the ghost has told him. Hamlet refuses to say unless they swear to keep it secret.
They are afraid to take an oath but Hamlet presses them. They finally agree when they hear the voice of the ghost imploring them to swear to the oath which they do. Hamlet agrees to tell them everything. Act 2 Scene 1: Polonius is speaking to his messenger, Reynaldo. He gives Reynaldo some notes and money to give to Laertes in France, then asks Reynaldo to inquire as to Laertes behavior in France. Polonius instructs his messenger to look into who Laertes is spending time with and encourages Reynaldo to fabricate stories to see what sort of reaction he gets from Laertes acquaintances.
Reynaldo agrees and departs. Ophelia enters, upset. She tells Polonius that while she was alone in her chambers, Hamlet came in looking disheveled. She says that Hamlet took her by the arm and stared longingly at her, then departed without saying anything. Polonius questions whether or not she heeded his and Laertes advice regarding Hamlet and she says she did. Polonius reasons that this has driven Hamlet to distraction and insists that he and Ophelia see the king and queen at once.
Scene 2: Claudius and Gertrude are welcoming Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two school friends of Hamlet. The king and queen explain that they have sent for the pair due to Hamlet's recent depression. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to do what they can for Hamlet. Polonius enters with news that the ambassadors to Norway have returned. He adds that he has learned what has been bothering Hamlet, then goes to fetch the ambassadors. The ambassadors report that Norway discovered Fortinbras had been making plans to attack Denmark, but that Norway has put a stop to those plans and caused Fortinbras to instead make plans to wage battle with Poland.
Claudius receives the news gratefully and dismisses the ambassadors. Polonius then explains to Gertrude and Claudius that Hamlet is mad with love for Ophelia. He reads an excerpt from a letter Hamlet sent Ophelia. Claudius asks how Ophelia received Hamlet's advances and Polonius tells of his warnings to her to reject Hamlet.
He proposes that Ophelia's rejection of Hamlet is what has caused his recent melancholy. Gertrude and Claudius are skeptical, but Polonius proposes a test to prove it. Hamlet enters and Polonius asks Claudius and Gertrude to leave while he speaks to Hamlet. Polonius questions Hamlet and is perplexed by Hamlet's ambiguous answers, particularly about Ophelia. In a round about way, Hamlet warns Polonius to keep Ophelia away from the king. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter and greet Hamlet who receives them warmly.
Hamlet discusses his recent melancholy then questions the coincidence of the pair appearing at court as they have. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern attempt to cover, but Hamlet finally gets them to confess they were sent for by his uncle and mother. They inform Hamlet that they " ve brought with them a band of players Hamlet has enjoyed previously, which lifts Hamlet's spirits. Polonius re-enters with news of the players. Hamlet suggests to Rosen...
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Research essay sample on Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Horatio And Marcellus
