Summary

Scene 1 starts off with a changing of the guard. Shortly after Horatio and Marcellus approach. Francisco goes home, and the remaining three talk about the ghost. The ghost appears and they all think that it looks like the old king Hamlet. Horatio attempts to speak with the poltergeist but only frightens it away. Horatio thinks that the apparition is a sign that the nation is in trouble. He thinks this because of the land won by Hamlet from Fortinbras and they are now worried about the army from Norway led by young Fortinbras. The ghost returns and Horatio asks the ghost to please speak if there is something to know about the land or if he has buried treasure. The rooster crows and the gghost leaves because ghosts only walk around at night.

Scene 2 opens with the king summarizing everything that has happened in the family. After his speach Laertes asks to return to France. The king then turns his attention to his cousin and son Hamlet. Hamlet explains that he is depressed and the king tells him it's good to morn but that he is mourning too much. The king is happy that Hamlet is staying and to show his joy drinks a toast and fires the canons. Hamlet is very upset that his mother has married so quickly to his uncle. Horatio then approaches and tells Hamlet that he has seen King Hamlet's ghost.

Scene 3 opens with Laertes telling Ophelia to not get close to Hamlet. He tells her Hamlet will destroy her and she tells Laertes to stop being a hypocrite. Polonius tells her roughly the same thing Laertes told her except Polonius feels that her becoming pregnant will disgrace him. He then tells her to not believe what Hamlet says and that she cannot see him anymore.

Scene 4 opens with Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus walking around outside in the cold. They hear the canons firing and Hamlet says that even though it is a custom that he thinks it is stupid because it makes them seems drunk. They then see the ghost and Hamlet decides to follow it. The two decide to follow.

Scene 5 starts off with the ghost telling Hamlet he is his father and that he cannot tell Hamlet the secrets of purgatory or else he would die. He then tells Hamlet that his brother killed him by putting poison into his ear. Old King Hamlet then tells Hamlet to plot against his uncle but not his mom. the ghost then leaves. Hamlet swears revenge and then his two friends enter. He says that he will tell them what he has heard if they swear on his sword. He then tells them that he is going to act crazy and makes them swear again.