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SHAKESPEAREAN SUMMARIES

Hamlet

Author: William Shakespeare

Time period: Renaissance, 1603

Language: English

 

The play begins with the scholar Horatio discovering a ghost of the recently deceased King Hamlet whilst walking along Elsinore Castle in Denmark. The main protagonist, Prince Hamlet, believes that his father was murdered by his brother Claudius. Claudius and Prince Hamlet’s mother Gertrude are worried about his strange behavior due to the death of his father and send his two friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to watch him. Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain of Claudius’ court, speculates Hamlet’s strange behavior as love for his (Polonius’) daughter, Ophelia. Aided by Polonius, Claudius spies on Hamlet to find him madly declaring to Ophelia to enter a nunnery and says that he wishes to ban all marriages. (“Get thee to a nunnery.” III.i). Hamlet later gathers actors at a theater, where he has them act out a scene from The Murder of Gonzago, also known as the Mousetrap whilst Claudius is watching in the audience. Hamlet hopes that the murder scene resembling the death of his father would help him understand Claudius’ involvement in his father’s murder, and when Claudius leaves the theater uncomfortably he concludes his forebodings are true. Hamlet accidentally murders Polonius behind tapestry and dispatches to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, however unbeknownst to Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern send letters to the King of England demanding Hamlet be put to death. Ophelia then grieves for her father’s death and drowns herself. Laertes, the son of Polonius, is infuriated at Hamlet for causing the death of his father and plans to stab Hamlet with a poisoned blade or make him drink a goblet full of poison. Hamlet gets stabbed by the poison blade and Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, drinks the goblet of poison, and the two die. Laertus then accidentally stabs himself and as he dies, confesses that Claudius truly was responsible for the murder of King Hamlet. In the end, a Norwegian prince named Fortinbras comes with the information that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead and Fortinbras takes control of the kingdom. Fortinbras then orders Hamlet to be carried away like a fallen soldier, with "with music and rite of war." He orders his soldiers to carry the bodies out, and the play ends. 

The Tempest

Author: William Shakespeare

Time period: Renaissance

Language: English

 

Prospero, the formerly Duke of Milan was usurped by his brother, Antonio, aided by Alonso, the king of Naples. Prospero then flees to an island with his daughter Miranda, using his magical powers to keep the island’s only inhabitant Caliban and the local spirit Ariel as a servant. A ship carrying Antonio passes by the island and Prospero conjures up a storm with the help of Ariel. The ship is destroyed and Antonio, Alonso, Ferdinand, Sebastian, Gonzalo, Adrian, and other court members are shipwrecked. Prospero uses magic to separate the survivors into groups on the island, determined to regain his dukedom. Prospero arranges a romantic relationship between Ferdinand and Miranda, Tinculo (the king’s jester) and Stephano attempt to overthrow Prospero and serve as comic relief, and the ship’s captain and boatswain along with other sailors are asleep until the final act. After Antonio and Sebastian conspire to kill Alonso and Gonzalo in order to make Sebastian king, Ariel confronts them in the guise of Harpy and causes them to flee. Prospero intends Miranda to marry Ferdinand and Ariel conjures a masque featuring the goddesses Juno, Ceres, and Iris to bless them. The masque is then interrupted by Prospero who orders Ariel to stop the nobles’ plot whilst Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano are chased off by swamp goblins in the form of hounds. Prospero vows to set Ariel free and abandon his magic once he achieves his goals and forgives Alonso, Antonio, and Sebastian and restores his title as the Duke of Milan. The nobles, Miranda, and Prospero reunite and leave the island and Ariel is instructed to provide good weather to the king’s ship as it sails to Naples, where Ferdinand and Miranda will be married. Ariel is set free and Prospero requests his audience to set him free in an epilogue.

Othello

Author: William Shakespeare

Time period: Renaissance

Language: English

 

Characters

  • Othello – “The Moor of Venice,” a respected general in the Venetian army. Outsider due to race.

  • Desdemona – Brabantio’s daughter, secretly marries Othello. Innocent and virtuous.

  • Iago – Othello’s ensign (ancient); the villain/master manipulator; jealous of Cassio’s promotion.

  • Michael Cassio – Othello’s lieutenant, young and inexperienced but scholarly and courteous.

  • Roderigo – Wealthy Venetian, loves Desdemona, manipulated by Iago.

  • Brabantio – Desdemona’s father, a Venetian senator.

  • Emilia – Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maid; ultimately exposes Iago.

  • Montano – Governor of Cyprus.

  • Bianca – Courtesan in love with Cassio.

  • Lodovico and Graziano – Venetian nobles who arrive at the end.

 

Act I

  • Roderigo complains to Iago that Desdemona has secretly married Othello.

  • Iago’s grudge: Othello passed him over for promotion in favor of Cassio.

  • Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio, claiming Othello has “stolen Desdemona” via witchcraft.

  • Brabantio accuses Othello before the Duke and Senate.

  • Othello’s defense: He wooed Desdemona through tales of his battles, travels, and perils - “She loved me for the dangers I had passed.”

  • Desdemona testifies her love is genuine; Brabantio warns, “She has deceived her father, and may thee.”

  • Othello is ordered to lead defense of Cyprus against the Turkish fleet, and Desdemona insists on accompanying him.

  • Iago vows revenge - “I hate the Moor.”

 

Act II

  • Storm destroys the Turkish fleet; Cyprus is safe.

  • Cassio, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo arrive first; Othello’s ship arrives later.

  • Iago notices Cassio taking Desdemona’s hand, calling it a “web” to ensnare them.

  • Othello and Desdemona reunite lovingly; Iago begins his “revenge plan.”

  • He tells Roderigo that Desdemona will soon tire of Othello and fall for Cassio.

  • Iago gets Cassio drunk and provokes a brawl with Roderigo; Cassio wounds Montano.

  • Othello dismisses Cassio as lieutenant.

  • Iago feigns sympathy: “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition.”

  • He advises Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help to regain favor — the next phase of Iago’s plot.

 

Act III

  • Cassio asks Desdemona to plead with Othello for his reinstatement.

  • Iago plants suspicion: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on.”

  • Desdemona’s kindness appears to Othello as guilt.

  • The handkerchief – Othello’s first gift to Desdemona – becomes the key symbol.

  • She drops the handkerchief; Emilia finds it and gives it to Iago, who plants it in Cassio’s chamber.

  • Iago tells Othello he saw Cassio “wipe his beard with the handkerchief.”

  • Othello demands “ocular proof” and, enraged, vows vengeance: “Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!”

  • Iago kneels with him in a mock “marriage of hate.” Othello makes Iago lieutenant.

 

Act IV

  • Iago makes Othello eavesdrop on Cassio laughing about Bianca, pretending it’s about Desdemona.

  • Bianca enters with the handkerchief, confirming Othello’s belief in the affair.

  • Venetian envoy Lodovico arrives, delivering orders recalling Othello to Venice and naming Cassio as his replacement.

  • Othello strikes Desdemona in public.

  • Iago tells Roderigo to kill Cassio that night to stop Othello and Desdemona from leaving.

 

Act V 

  • Roderigo ambushes Cassio but fails; Cassio wounds him.

  • Iago wounds Cassio secretly and kills Roderigo to cover his tracks.

  • Othello, believing Cassio dead, resolves to kill Desdemona.

  • In their bedchamber, Othello smothers Desdemona despite her crying “A guiltless death I die.”

  • Emilia exposes Iago’s lies and reveals the truth of the handkerchief.

  • Iago kills Emilia and flees but is captured by Lodovico and Montano.

  • Othello wounds Iago (“This is thy work.”) and delivers his final speech, asking to be remembered “as one that loved not wisely but too well.”

  • He kills himself with a hidden dagger.

  • Lodovico orders Iago’s execution and gives Othello’s estate to Graziano.

King Lear

Author: William Shakespeare

Time period: Renaissance

Language: English

 

Characters

  • King Lear

    • Aging King of Britain who divides his kingdom among his daughters based on flattery

    • Disowns his youngest daughter when she refuses to participate

    • Descends into madness and wanders on the heath in a storm

  • Cordelia

    • Youngest daughter, known for honesty and loyalty

    • Disowned but later leads a French army to rescue Lear

  • Goneril

    • Eldest daughter, manipulative and politically ambitious

    • Engages in an affair with Edmund and eventually murders her sister

  • Regan

    • Middle daughter, equally ruthless

    • Complicit in blinding Gloucester, pursues Edmund romantically

  • Edmund

    • Illegitimate son of Gloucester

    • Master manipulator who betrays family and seeks power

  • Edgar

    • Legitimate son of Gloucester

    • Disguises himself as a mad beggar to survive

    • Ultimately defeats Edmund in single combat

  • Gloucester

    • Nobleman parallel to Lear

    • Betrays his loyal son Edgar due to Edmund’s lies, then is blinded

  • Kent

    • Loyal advisor to Lear

    • Banished but stays in disguise to continue serving the king

  • Albany

    • Husband of Goneril

    • Morally conflicted, ultimately opposes Goneril and Edmund

  • Cornwall

    • Husband of Regan

    • Participates in Gloucester’s blinding

  • The Fool

    • Truth-teller who accompanies Lear during his madness

    • Disappears after Act 3 (not explained in text)

  • Oswald – Goneril’s steward who aids her schemes; killed by Edgar

  • Burgundy – Suitor who refuses to marry Cordelia after disinheritance

  • France – Marries Cordelia and supports invasion to restore Lear

  • Doctor – Attempts to restore Lear’s sanity in Act 4

  • Messenger – Reports off-stage deaths and battles

  • Captain (under Edmund) – Ordered to execute Lear and Cordelia in prison

 

Act I

  • Lear divides kingdom among daughters based on declarations of love

  • Cordelia refuses and is disowned

  • France marries Cordelia; Burgundy withdraws

  • Kent is banished for defending Cordelia

  • Edmund begins plan to disinherit Edgar

  • Goneril begins restricting Lear’s power, reducing his retinue

Act II

  • Tensions escalate between Lear and daughters

  • Edgar flees due to Edmund’s false letter plot

  • Edgar disguises himself as "Poor Tom"

  • Cornwall and Regan strip Lear of remaining authority

  • Lear leaves in a storm

Act III

  • Lear wanders on the heath, descending into madness

  • Gloucester secretly aids Lear

  • Edmund betrays Gloucester to Regan and Cornwall

  • Gloucester is captured, accused of treason, and blinded

  • Servants turn against Cornwall and he is fatally wounded (dies offstage)

Act IV

  • Edgar leads blind Gloucester toward Dover

  • Lear is found wandering and partially restored by Cordelia’s forces

  • French army lands in Britain

  • Goneril and Regan compete for Edmund’s affection

  • Albany becomes increasingly opposed to Goneril

Act V

  • Edmund orders execution of Cordelia and Lear in prison after their capture

  • Goneril poisons Regan to eliminate rival

  • Goneril commits suicide after exposure of treason

  • Albany arrests Edmund

  • Edgar challenges Edmund to trial by combat and kills him

  • Edmund’s deathbed attempt to save Cordelia fails

  • Cordelia is executed

  • Lear dies shortly after Cordelia, grief-stricken

  • Albany, Edgar, and Kent are left to rule amidst devastation

Julius Caesar

Author: William Shakespeare

Time period: Renaissance

Language: English

 

Characters

  • Julius Caesar – Roman general and statesman; recently defeated Pompey’s sons; assassinated by conspirators.

  • Brutus (Marcus Junius Brutus) – Caesar’s friend and a respected noble; joins the conspiracy out of love for Rome.

  • Cassius – Cunning and jealous senator who persuades Brutus to join the plot against Caesar.

  • Mark Antony – Caesar’s loyal ally who avenges his death through rhetoric and war.

  • Octavius Caesar – Caesar’s adopted son and heir; later forms the triumvirate with Antony and Lepidus.

  • Calpurnia – Caesar’s wife, whose prophetic dreams warn him of his murder.

  • Portia – Brutus’s wife; proves her devotion by wounding her thigh and later kills herself by swallowing hot coals.

  • Casca – One of the conspirators; first to stab Caesar.

  • Decius Brutus – Conspirator who reinterprets Calpurnia’s dream to lure Caesar to the Senate.

  • Cinna (the conspirator) – Helps plan Caesar’s murder.

  • Cinna the Poet – Mistaken for the conspirator and killed by an angry mob.

  • Soothsayer – Warns Caesar to “beware the Ides of March.”

  • Artemidorus – Tries to warn Caesar by handing him a letter naming the conspirators.

  • Titinius – Cassius’s loyal friend who kills himself upon finding Cassius dead.

  • Pindarus – Cassius’s servant who kills Cassius at his master’s command.

  • Flavius and Murellus – Tribunes who remove decorations from Caesar’s statues and chastise the commoners.

  • Lepidus – The third member of the triumvirate with Antony and Octavius.

 

Summary

  • The play opens with Flavius and Murellus scolding Roman citizens for celebrating Caesar’s victory over Pompey’s sons, and they remove garlands from his statues.

  • During Caesar’s parade, a Soothsayer warns him to “beware the Ides of March,” but Caesar dismisses the warning.

  • Cassius manipulates Brutus, appealing to his sense of honor and fear that Caesar will become a tyrant.

  • Casca reports that Antony offered Caesar a crown three times, which Caesar refused to appear humble, before suffering an epileptic fit.

  • Cassius forges letters from “citizens” urging Brutus to save the Republic, planting them in Brutus’s home.

  • A violent storm and unnatural omens plague Rome, symbolizing political chaos.

  • Brutus joins the conspiracy at his house; the group decides to kill Caesar but spare Antony to avoid seeming too bloodthirsty.

  • Portia, noticing Brutus’s anxiety, demands to know his secret, showing her loyalty by stabbing her thigh.

  • Calpurnia’s dream of Caesar’s statue pouring blood almost convinces Caesar to stay home, but Decius Brutus flatters him into going to the Senate.

  • On his way, Artemidorus tries to give Caesar a letter warning him, but Caesar refuses to read it.

  • At the Capitol, the conspirators stab Caesar 23 times; Caesar’s last words are “Et tu, Brute?”

  • The conspirators bathe their hands in Caesar’s blood, fulfilling Calpurnia’s dream.

  • Antony, pretending to side with them, shakes each murderer’s hand but secretly vows revenge.

  • In his funeral oration, Antony repeatedly calls Brutus “an honorable man” while showing the crowd Caesar’s mutilated body and reading his will, which leaves money and gardens to the citizens.

  • The crowd riots, kills Cinna the Poet by mistake, and drives Brutus and Cassius from Rome.

  • Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus form the Second Triumvirate, vowing to destroy the conspirators.

  • In Brutus’s camp, he and Cassius quarrel bitterly over bribes and honor but reconcile; Brutus reveals Portia’s suicide.

  • The Ghost of Caesar appears to Brutus, foretelling his defeat at Philippi.

  • On the battlefield, Cassius mistakenly believes Titinius has been captured and orders Pindarus to kill him. Titinius, discovering Cassius dead, kills himself in grief.

  • Brutus, facing defeat, impales himself on his sword, declaring that Caesar is avenged.

  • Antony hails Brutus as “the noblest Roman of them all,” recognizing his genuine motives.

  • Octavius, now the ruler of Rome, orders Brutus’s honorable burial.

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