Act I of Hamlet serves as an introduction of all the characters of the play as well as an explanation of other information necessary to the understanding of the play.
In act I, scene 1, it is a dark winter’s night, and the character Bernardo relieves Francisco of guarding the castle of Denmark. Horatio and Marcellus soon appear to assist Bernardo. Bernardo and Marcellus speak of an apparition that they would like for Horatio to see and speak to. The ghost appears and disappears, and Horatio is surprised with how similar it looks to the late King Hamlet. Horatio believes that the ghost’s appearance must be warning of an attack on Denmark. He says that it will most likely come from Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, whose father was killed by King Hamlet himself.
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Laertes telling his father he wishes to return to France to continue his studies, which both his father, Polonius, and Claudias allow. Prince Hamlet also wishes to return to his studies, but Claudias refuses to let him, and his wife who also happens to be Hamlet’s mother says that she wants Hamlet to stay close to her after King Hamlet’s sudden death. Hamlet leaves his mother and Claudias, and states how opposed he is to their quick marriage. He says he wishes to die, and that he would kill himself if it were not a sin. Hamlet hears Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo approaching, and stops speaking. The three inform him of what they witnessed last night, which leads Hamlet to insist that they show him that