Hamlet.+Understanding+Part+I

Melissa Malloy For those of us who want to be sure on what is happening in Hamlet early on, this general overview should do the trick.

In the very beginning, we meet two guards who watch over the castle and see the ghost of King Hamlet: **Bernardo** and **Francisco**.

Shortly after, **Horacio**, a friend of **Prince Hamlet**, comes to the kingdom. He was the one who made the first attempt to talk to the spirit.

Prince Horacio Hamlet

Prnice Hamlet (shown above) is then introduced at the ceremony where Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, announces his marraige to Hamlet's mother and recent widow, Gertrude. So now, Hamlet is extremely upset with his mother. One, she did not wait long enough before remarrying, and secondly, he sees the marriage of his mother and uncle as incestuous activity.

Then we meet **Ophelia** and **Laertes**. They are brother and sister, and are members of the **Polonius** household. Ophelia's brother has the "politics" discussion with her, and warns her about Hamlet. Meanwhile, Laertes is preparing to move to France. The siblings' father is Polonius. This is not to be confused with France, where Laertes is moving to. Hamlet Ophelia

Laertes Polonius(Father of Ophelia and Laertes)

I hope this is of some help to anyone who is confused with names, places, and faces so far.