Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Written approximately 1600–1601. Studied at KS3 and GCSE.
Prince Hamlet of Denmark is visited by his father's ghost, who reveals he was murdered by Hamlet's uncle Claudius — who has since married Hamlet's mother Gertrude and taken the throne. Hamlet vows revenge but is paralysed by doubt and grief. He begins to act strangely, causing concern. His girlfriend Ophelia is forbidden from seeing him.
Hamlet devises the 'Mousetrap' — a play re-enacting the murder to see if Claudius reacts with guilt. Claudius does react — confirming his guilt to Hamlet and the audience. Hamlet finds Claudius alone and praying but cannot bring himself to kill him. In his mother's room he accidentally kills Polonius (Ophelia's father) hiding behind a curtain, believing it to be Claudius.
Claudius sends Hamlet to England with secret orders for his execution. Hamlet escapes and returns to Denmark. Ophelia, driven mad by her father's death and Hamlet's behaviour, drowns. Her brother Laertes wants revenge on Hamlet. Claudius arranges a poisoned-sword duel. Gertrude accidentally drinks poisoned wine. Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poison; Hamlet kills Laertes and then Claudius; Hamlet dies. Horatio survives to tell the story. Fortinbras of Norway claims the Danish throne.