He commends Hamlet on the length and severity of his mourning, but insists that his 'unmanly' grief must come to an end. With such matters attended to, Claudius focuses on his troublesome nephew. Claudius dispatches two of his courtiers, Cornelius and Voltimand, to Norway as peacekeepers, and he grants Laertes, who has come to Denmark specifically for the coronation of Claudius, permission to return to his studies in France. The scene opens with King Claudius of Denmark giving a magnificently ostentatious speech on the death of his brother and his marriage to Queen Gertrude, his sister-in-law and Hamlet's mother. Horatio decides to tell Prince Hamlet all that has transpired, for he knows that the Ghost will only reveal his purpose to his son. The Ghost, however, refuses to speak, and disappears as the cock crows. That may to thee do ease, and grace to me, Horatio pleads with the apparition to reveal its intentions: Barnardo, Marcellus, and Horatio suspect that the appearance of the ghostly King is an ominous message to all of Denmark, as they prepare for war with Norway. Horatio recognizes the armour covering the Ghost and remarks that it is the very armour that the King wore 'when he the ambitious Norway combated' (1.1.61). The Ghost of the late king of Denmark appears and promptly withdraws into the night. Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us (1.1.23-25). Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy,Īnd will not let belief take hold of him, Barnardo and Marcellus reveal that they have witnessed an apparition: He is relieved by Barnardo, who is joined shortly by Horatio and Marcellus. Hamlet opens with the sentry, Francisco, keeping watch over the castle at Elsinore. Hamlet: Plot Summary (Acts 1 and 2) Act 1, Scene 1

Hamlet quick notes