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Shakespeare stuffed Hamlet so full of wild action and strange occurrences that there’s really no substitute for reading or watching the play. So what can you say about Hamlet’s plot in 60 seconds? Press play to find out.

Video Transcription:

On the one hand, Hamlet’s plot is about as careening and convoluted as they come. On the other hand, it’s incredibly simple. Here’s what I mean.

Here’s the plot of Hamlet:

The Ghost of Hamlet’s dead father returns to ask Hamlet to seek revenge on Claudius, his murderer. Hamlet dillies and dallies, searches for certainty regarding the Ghost’s claims, finds some, and skewers Claudius like a piece of barbecue meat.

The end.

OK, I’m kidding of course. Because the dillying and the dallying are what make up the bulk of this play. And Hamlet’s scenes in between meeting the ghost and exacting his revenge are also what provide clues to his madness … or his sanity, depending on how you look at it.

For example:
He has words with Claudius.

He has words with his former friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

He sets a trap for Claudius.

He has words with his ex-lover, Ophelia.

He tries to kill Claudius and fails.

He kills Ophelia’s father.
He has words with his mother.
He’s banished to England.
He’s captured by pirates.
He returns and duels with Ophelia’s brother …
Which is when he finally learns, for sure, that Claudius killed his father and can act!

In the end, Hamlet gets his revenge … and then dies. A madman? Maybe. Or maybe “mad” just describes the mind of a man who could come up with a plot like this one.