William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet has influenced storytellers for centuries, with a “revenge plot” that modern stories like Dune, The Story of Edward Sawtelle, and The Lion King have reimagined to great effect.
In this beat sheet, you’ll see how in Hamlet plot serves as an excellent example of the Freytag’s Pyramid story structure. Just be warned, they call this one a tragedy for a reason!
Hamlet Plot Beat Sheet: A Guide for Writers
- Published: 1 year ago
- Updated: April 12, 2024
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Table of Contents
Act 1: Exposition
The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s father, has been killed. Denmark is under attack from the Norwegian Prince Fortinbras, and the rest of Hamlet’s family is in ruins. His mother, Gertrude, desperate to secure her future, has remarried his uncle, Claudius. However, Prince Hamlet doesn’t like him and is now miserable and potentially suicidal.
Hamlet sees his father’s ghost appear before a group of soldiers, revealing that he was murdered by his brother, Claudius. He demands that his son seek revenge. However, Hamlet doesn’t trust the spirit and even thinks it might be the Devil trying to trick him.
Act 2: Rising Action
To ensure Claudius does not suspect he knows the truth, Hamlet pretends to be mad. But it’s not long before he appears to descend into actual madness, vowing to avenge his father’s death. King Claudius suspects Hamlet is faking the madness and plots to spy on him with Lord Polonius. While Hamlet speaks with his love interest, Ophelia, they determine he is a threat and should be sent away.
Desperate, Hamlet writes and presents The Mouse Trap, a play that depicts a character resembling Claudius committing murder. Watching Claudius’ reaction, Hamlet is convinced he is guilty.
Act 3: Climax
More determined than ever to seek revenge, Hamlet plots to kill Claudius. He waits for him outside the church, as he does not want to kill him when he is in confession or prayer.
Later, Polonius hides behind the tapestry in Gertrude’s chamber. Thinking it is Claudius, Hamlet stabs kills him. He has killed the wrong man.
Act 4: Falling Action
Hamlet is sent away to England, but he arranges for letters to be sent to the King, ordering the execution of two of his friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who had been sent to spy on him.
Meanwhile, Polonius’ son Laertes returns from France to avenge his father’s death, and Claudius conspires with him to kill Hamlet. Hamlet’s love interest Ophelia goes mad from the stress and falls into a brook and drowns.
Act 5: Resolution
Hamlet duels Laertes, leading to both of their deaths, as well as the death of Gertrude. Hamlet manages to also kill Claudius as he is dying. Hamlet duels Laertes, leading to both of their deaths, as well as the death of Gertrude. Hamlet manages to also kill Claudius as he is dying.
Only Horatio remains alive to tell the truth about Hamlet’s death. Fortinbras, the Norwegian prince, arrives prepared to do battle only to find the Danish Royal Family dead.
Table of Contents
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