The Story Hamlet is refused permission by his uncle, the King, to return to University. His love, Ophelia, is glad they will have more time together to help him get over his father's sudden death and his mother's sudden marriage. Instead, her brother warns her to stay away from Hamlet, then her father tries to reason with her, finally ordering her to cease all contact. The ghost of Hamlet's father tasks him with a revenge murder which puts Hamlet in a tailspin. Ophelia hears rumors that Hamlet has gone mad and a brief visit confirms it. She wonders, with some hope, that it is because they have been kept apart and agrees to help her father and the King spy on them so she can talk to Hamlet. During the meeting she and the King realize his madness has nothing to do with love. The arrival of travelling players gives Hamlet the idea of using a play to prove the guilt of the King. Emboldened by certainty, Hamlet comes across the King unprotected but will not slay him at prayer. He continues on to his mother and berates her for bedding his uncle, then discovers someone hiding in the room and kills him. The spy is Ophelia's father and her tenuous hold on reality begins to crumble. When Hamlet is sent away Ophelia has nothing left but flowers in her life. It is not enough. At sea, Hamlet discovers his companions hold a royal command for his execution. He changes the names and escapes. Horatio meets him back on shore with rough clothes and they walk back to the castle. Passing a graveyard they come across Ophelia's burial. Hamlet despairs and fights her brother Laertes at the grave claiming his love is stronger. The King takes Laertes aside to plot the murder of Hamlet during a sporting duel. It ends tragically for all involved. Read HAMLET DECIPHERED first, then enjoy the poetry.
