Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare around 1600–1601, is a tragedy about Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who is thrust into grief and turmoil after 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 seized the throne and married Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude—Hamlet vows to take revenge.

To confirm the ghost’s story, Hamlet stages a play called The Murder of Gonzago, which he modifies and refers to as The Mousetrap. The play reenacts a murder by poison in the ear—mirroring the method Claudius allegedly used. When Claudius reacts with visible guilt and abruptly leaves, Hamlet becomes certain of his uncle’s crime.

Still, Hamlet struggles with doubt and hesitation. His inaction leads to a series of tragic events: he kills Polonius, the king’s advisor, by mistake; this drives Polonius’s daughter Ophelia—Hamlet’s love—to madness and death. Her brother, Laertes, returns to avenge the family. Meanwhile, Claudius plots to have Hamlet killed.

The tragedy culminates in a duel between Hamlet and Laertes. A poisoned sword and drink lead to the deaths of Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet himself. With his dying breath, Hamlet names Prince Fortinbras of Norway as the next ruler of Denmark.