Hamlet [25] - Hamlet

“The play is set in Elsinore Castle in Denmark - a country under threat from its neighbour and old enemy, Norway. Young Hamlet returns home from university to discover that, not only is his father (Old Hamlet) newly dead, but that his mother, Gertrude, has married Old Hamlet's brother, Claudius, and that Claudius is now king. The resultant instability in the state of Denmark has also led to threats of invasion by the Norwegian prince, Fortinbras. Late one night, the ghost of Hamlet's father appears to him on the cold battlements of Elsinore castle, accusing Claudius of his murder and urging Hamlet to revenge. This sets in motion a train of events that destroys both family and state. No longer able to trust his own senses, the loyalty of his old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildernstern, or even the affections of his young love, Ophelia, Hamlet fakes madness in an attempt to provide himself with proof that the ghost is telling the truth. Aided only by his most loyal companion, Horatio, he persuades a travelling band of actors to re-enact the story of his father's murder in front of Claudius and Gertrude, hoping that Claudius will be so stirred by remorse that he will confess his crime.” - The Royal Shakespeare Companysee less