==[[Time Period]]==

==[[Time Period]]==

The time period of ''Hamlet'' is Renaissance, contemporary with Shakespeare's England, although a few anachronisms can be found.  See the [[Time Period]] page.

The time period of ''Hamlet'' is Renaissance, contemporary with Shakespeare's England, although a few anachronisms can be found.  See the '''[[Time Period]]''' page.

==[[Time of Year]]==

==[[Time of Year]]==

[[File:Narcissus_pseudonarcissus.jpg|right|Wild Narcissus]]

[[File:Narcissus_pseudonarcissus.jpg|right|Wild Narcissus]]

The time of year is the Spring.  See the [[Time of Year]] page.

The time of year is the Spring.  See the '''[[Time of Year]]''' page.

==Characters==

==Characters==

| colspan="3" | '''Anonymous, non-speaking, appearing on stage:'''

| colspan="3" | '''Anonymous, non-speaking, appearing on stage:'''

|-

|-

| [[Courtiers]] || [[Ladies-in-waiting]] || [[Players]] || [[Royal Entourage]] || [[Swissers]]

| [[Players]] || [[Royal Entourage]] || [[Swissers]]

|-

|-

| colspan="3" | Plus extras as needed for atmosphere

| colspan="4" | Plus Musicians, Pages, Guards, etc. as needed.

|-

|-

| colspan="3" | '''Offstage, known by reference only, alive or dead:'''

| colspan="3" | '''Offstage, known by reference only, alive or dead:'''

==[[Explication]]==

==[[Explication]]==

''Hamlet'' is so widely misinterpreted and misunderstood that an explication of the play, in considerable detail, is mandatory as part of any acceptable presentation.  So, here it is:  '''[[Explication]].''' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The <b>Walkthrough</b> that includes a timeline may also be helpful. &nbsp; Also, I have a few remarks on the subject of <b>How to Read ''Hamlet.''</b>

''Hamlet'' is so widely misinterpreted and misunderstood that an explication of the play, in considerable detail, is mandatory as part of any acceptable presentation.  So, here it is:  '''[[Explication]].''' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The <b>Walkthrough</b> that includes a timeline may also be helpful.

==Scenes==

==Scenes==

In the Throne Room, we see Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, Polonius, and Hamlet, as the new King Claudius holds his first session of the royal court.  Claudius sends diplomats to Norway to try to deal with the problem Fortinbrasse poses.  Claudius grants Laertes permission to return to France.  Hamlet, in obedience to Gertrude, agrees to stay at Elsinore.  Claudius announces that he will celebrate that night, and adjourns.  Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo enter and tell Hamlet about the Ghost.

In the Throne Room, we see Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, Polonius, and Hamlet, as the new King Claudius holds his first session of the royal court.  Claudius sends diplomats to Norway to try to deal with the problem Fortinbrasse poses.  Claudius grants Laertes permission to return to France.  Hamlet, in obedience to Gertrude, agrees to stay at Elsinore.  Claudius announces that he will celebrate that night, and adjourns.  Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo enter and tell Hamlet about the Ghost.

|-

|-

|''Interscene 2 - 3:''<br>

|'''[[Interscene 2 - 3]]:'''<br>

Laertes, accompanied by Ophelia, has gone to the harbor at the town of Elsinore, where the ship that will take Laertes to France is ready to sail.  Polonius observes from the Castle that the ship has not left yet, and makes his way down to the harbor to see why not.

Laertes, accompanied by Ophelia, has gone to the harbor at the town of Elsinore, where the ship that will take Laertes to France is ready to sail.  Polonius observes from the Castle that the ship has not left yet, and makes his way down to the harbor to see why not.

|-

|-

|-

|-

|''Interscene 16 - 17:''<br>

|''Interscene 16 - 17:''<br>

(Does not exist.  Scene 17 is simultaneous with Scene 16.)

(Does not exist, as such, chronologically.  Scene 17 is simultaneous with part of Scene 16.)

|-

|-

| <big>'''[[Scene 17]]'''</big> - Thieves of Mercy <span style="color:gray"> (Act 4 scene 6)</span><br>

| <big>'''[[Scene 17]]'''</big> - Thieves of Mercy <span style="color:gray"> (Act 4 scene 6)</span><br>

[[File:Second quarto knowest thine.jpg|right|"So that thou..." from the Second Quarto]]

[[File:Second quarto knowest thine.jpg|right|"So that thou..." from the Second Quarto]]