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1/6Dramatis Personae

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1. Dramatis Personae
2. Act 1
3. Act 2
4. Act 3
5. Act 4
6. Act 5

Summary

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, written around 1599 to 1601 and first printed in 1603. It is his longest play and among the most frequently performed and discussed works in world drama. Shakespeare built it on an older Scandinavian legend and probably on an earlier English revenge play that has not survived.

The action takes place at the royal court of Elsinore. Prince Hamlet, already grieving the sudden death of his father, the king, is dismayed that his mother, Gertrude, has quickly married his uncle Claudius, who has taken the throne. A ghost resembling his father appears on the castle battlements and tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him, demanding revenge. Hamlet pretends to be mad while he tests the truth of the ghost's story, and his behaviour disturbs those around him, including Ophelia, the young woman he has courted, her father Polonius and her brother Laertes. His hesitation and inner debate drive the drama as much as the plot does.

The play contains some of the best-known passages in English, including the soliloquy beginning "To be, or not to be." It explores grief, doubt, corruption, madness and the nature of action. It rewards students, theatre lovers and anyone drawn to complex characters and philosophical questions.

About

Hamlet is commonly regarded as one of the greatest plays ever written. Drawing on Danish chronicles and the Elizabethan vogue for revenge tragedy, Shakespeare created a play that is at once a philosophic treatise, a family drama, and a supernatural thriller. In the wake of his father's death, Prince Hamlet finds that his Uncle Claudius has swiftly taken the throne and married his mother, Queen Gertrude. The ghost of the dead king then appears and charges Claudius with 'murder most foul.' Hamlet is called to revenge his father's death: but will he be able to act before it is too late?

Cast: Claudius, King of Denmark - Michael Sirois Gertrude, Queen of Denmark, and Mother of Hamlet - Elizabeth Klett Ghost Of Hamlet, the Late King of Denmark - dolohov Hamlet, Son to the former, and Nephew to the present King - John Gonzalez Polonius, Lord Chamberlain - Andy Minter Laertes, Son to Polonius - Denny Sayers Ophelia, Daughter to Polonius - Kristin Hughes Reynaldo, Servant to Polonius - Thomas Wells Horatio, Friend to Hamlet - David Nicol Rosencrantz, Courtier - Kara Shallenberg Guildenstern, Courtier - Karen Savage Francisco, a Soldier - Andrew Lebrun Bernardo, Officer - David O’Connell Marcellus, Officer - Jordan Mueller Voltimand, Courtier - Thomas Wells Osric, Courtier - allex A Gentleman, Courtier - David Jaquay Another Gentleman - mb Clown One, Grave-digger - Brennan Holtzclaw Clown Two, Grave-digger - Christie Nowak A Priest - Kevin O’Coin Fortinbras, Prince of Norway - mb A Captain & his Army - Andrew Lebrun English Ambassador - Andrew Lebrun First Player - Rosalind Wills Player King - Denny Sayers Player Queen - Kirsten Ferreri Player Lucianus - allex Group Of Danes - David O'Connell Lord - LaurenT Servant - Christie Nowak

Stage Direction - Rosalind Wills Editors - mb & Jc Guan Dedicated Proof-Listeners - Elizabeth Klett & mb Book Coordinators - J.C., Scott Sherris, Jc Guan, Elizabeth Klett & mb