Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, written around 1600. The play is set in Denmark and follows Prince Hamlet, who is devastated by the sudden death of his father, King Hamlet. When the ghost of his father appears and reveals that he was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius—who has since taken the throne and married Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude—Hamlet vows revenge. However, he becomes consumed by doubt, internal conflict, and philosophical questions about life, death, and morality.

As Hamlet struggles with his mission, he pretends to be mad to uncover the truth, leading to confusion and tragedy. His actions result in a series of deaths, including the accidental killing of Polonius, the madness and death of Ophelia, and eventually a deadly duel with her brother Laertes. In the final scene, Hamlet kills Claudius but is fatally wounded himself. The play ends with nearly all the main characters dead and Prince Fortinbras of Norway arriving to take control of the Danish throne. Hamlet is known for its deep exploration of human emotion, existential questions, and iconic lines like “To be or not to be.”