Video SparkNotes: Shakespeare's Hamlet Summary

[@vidmizz]

Seems like Shakespeare was like "Fuck it, everyone dies, the end" at the end of the story

[@rikay91]

that is indeed the way most f shakespeare's tragedies are "no one left to lift the corpses" .

[@fnyaung]

That's true! Lol. I was thinking about that when I saw the ending!

[@iamcalsen]

Prevents sequels lol

[@markjeromevalencia1557]

Typical of the Revenge Tragedy genre

[@AlbinoTanuki]

+ChuckNorrison You should read Titus Andronicus.

[@kannieee]

Shakespeare: Lemme just throw in so much shit so that later generations can analyze the hell out of my work, then kill every characters at the end, and let some random ass person live and have the happy ending.

[@Gtrdxvgyfvbhhfc]

Ca Ka 😂😂😂😂

[@bearifiablepau2095]

the story is relevant today because this sort of thing -a scenario where everyone ends up losing, happens all the time, maybe not in kingdoms but definitely in families and governments.

[@commanderwuffels9545]

Shakespeare: hmmm you know what this play needs? pirates

[@raisa_cherry35]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@malewalrus877]

The point is that the "random person" is telling the story to other people. It could be a fabrication. The whole story is essentially fake so that the king takes over with an excuse

[@aleniey]

must have been a bloody good timing for the prince of Norway.

[@denzel101able]

+Alen Matibag haha bloody! nice pun

[@frankg2790]

+Alen Matibag Denmark was at war with Norway at the time.

[@simonejakobsson604]

Alen Matibag o

[@NostalgiNorden]

"At the time"? THere is no date mentioned and this is not based on history.

[@bobwilson679]

Frank G Did you even read the book? Denmark was not at war with Norway. Fortinbras and his army were given permission by Claudius to pass through Denmark to invade Poland. Fortinbras is arriving to thank Claudius for letting him pass through Denmark in his invasion route, after successfully capturing land in Poland, when he arrives in the aftermath of the bloodbath. Was it great (or horrible) timing? Yes. Were the two countries at war? No.

[@emmavrijburg6676]

Shakespeare really wrote "to be or not to be" and then decided "not" was probably for the best and so he killed every single character

[@PinkHatOfEpicness]

Shakespeare: oh no how am I going to tie all this together in the end?? fuck it, everyones dead.

[@skylaraustin2304]

The original George R.R. Martin.

[@bobwilson679]

Skylar Austin Exactly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXPcnGmsmtBpfLs

[@SoSweetMelody]

'Claudius tells Hamlet he has to stop acting so sad about his father's death" Claudius is acting sus.

[@mommy5045]

maybe the imposter too..😂

[@rushiljain9423]

Cuz Claudius aint a homie

[@feranya9746]

the very end Fortinbras "well that was easy"

[@ekke9684]

Lel

[@kattykatiemeow]

😂

[@DeezyDre]

finally a story where everyone freaking dies ..

[@hiothezebra]

Deezy Dre You should watch Othello! :D

[@ethananweiler9446]

Deezy Dre Its called a Shakespearean tragedy for a reason

[@DeezyDre]

Ethan Anweiler well guy my teacher didnt tell us that

[@raspberrycrowns9494]

Les Miserables

[@anneboleyn7484]

Only Horacio survives

[@irissubjectnull]

the last part is wrong. Hamlet tells Horatio that he gives the throne Fortinbras as he knows he's going to die and no other royalty of Denmark is left. That's how Fortinbras got the kingdom, not by taking it over.

[@charlieritchie8957]

He might be mad, but he still is political as fuck

[@kraevous]

yeah I was gonna say the same because Hamlet actually admires fortinbras

[@MissPurplepaint]

praise the lord for sparknotes

[@renzlalic]

The link doesn't worked anymore. Please send me the translation please? :(

[@aesthetic3521]

Renz Michael it's working

[@Jeju-02-20]

Aesthetic I may sound like a hypocrite but did you just deadass reply to this guy 3 years later lmao

[@lerodd7286]

@@Jeju-02-20 lmao

[@SanjeevKumar-xl4cd]

Can I get PDF of spark notes

[@iost5459]

Hamlet is actually a really great story. It's too bad that not only is it incomprehensible without some sort of translation, but we have it crammed down our throats in school, forced to read it and know everything for some reason. Why can't I just read it in my spare time while school teaches me how to start a family or do taxes?

[@therenegadegamer7422]

IoST I would say it's the best thing because in my class all we read is nonfiction argumentative essays and history if they expected us to want to read they should be have been focusing on more fiction out of my senior year we only read 2 fiction stories

[@PixelsOPlenty]

I had to read it in a week, it's really hard to enjoy something when you cramming it down to meet a deadline. Then on top that I have to analysis the crap out of it after having read it a hundred miles per hour.

[@jakovtucak5550]

@@PixelsOPlenty exact same scenario here. I just finished reading and I have to write about 5 pages of hamlets significant quotes for tomorrow. It's a great story but the enjoyment disappears because you have to read it in 5 days. School system is sooo sad

[@Lonystal]

Exactly what I'm thinking

[@myinttrading101]

Yep going through that BS with school right now

[@frankiediaz9990]

Ladies and gentlemen, let's go write these clutch papers. Good luck.

[@ZanzibarWizard]

Ahaha thanks

[@player1marcio744]

Thks

[@4ts311]

No cap i got this essay soon

[@wadestevens636]

We got this paper 💪🏾2023

[@lukemus401]

lesgooo bro paper 2024

[@hollyanne4562]

Hamlet was an emo before it was cool...

[@baberuthny3]

+Rainbow Turtle It was never cool.

[@TheGoProGuy07]

+Rainbow Turtle lmao when was emo ever cool? XD

[@zzzz0zzzz]

+Rainbow Turtle I think he means popular, and cool is just word to represent that.

[@user-yn1eb6ug5i]

Nah, That's Romeo.

[@pg9193]

yeah? well I thought your comment was cool before it got all of them "likes" so boooyaaa

[@anniexu1999]

The fact that they all die and someone else pops up and takes the throne makes me laugh so hard. Is this really a classical tradegy or a modern comedy? It seems like a joke to me.

[@danny90099]

Game of thorne ending in nutshells

[@ethank5681]

It’s the cycle of life man

[@FerdousHasan-kk8hp]

That's what actually happens to people in real life, they get jealous, they become greedy, violent, confused and in the end they destroy their lives,

[@Lamsus854]

lmaooo never thought of it that way

[@bushidoh8316]

No wonder tsEliot hated hamlet

[@adrianaspink]

Thank you for your awesome work!!! I'm preparing for an english literature exam and your videos are extremely helpful!! :) Thank u very much!!!

[@jbal4284]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH A verified person

[@homelyintrovert6923]

Dear Teachers, please stop making exams. Okay i just realised u commented 6 years ago. Now in 2020 even, my english literature teacher has told us to write SIX WHOLE PARAGRAPHS about a summary of Hamlet. .-.

[@caleb5194]

Htoo Htoo that isn’t bad

[@homelyintrovert6923]

@@caleb5194 lol ok :) now im legitamately (idk if the spellings correct lmfaoo) stuck with ONLINE exams :( they rly had to ruin the stay home vibe with exams why tf ;-;

[@paulrevere9643]

@@homelyintrovert6923 I'm in the Same boat homie. Talk about getting shafted this semester. Good luck!

[@Jason-Skywalker]

Damn SON. Stories like this is something you'd expect to see right out of a messed up hit TV series where people set things up where all hell breaks loose, but everyone died here. Right on Shakespeare, you da bomb!

[@skylaraustin2304]

You mean Game of Thrones? Then...yes. Shakespeare is the original George R.R. Martin.

[@TheIBeanz]

I know I'm late, but as far as I know Sons of Anarchy is loosely based on this play. It's a great show!

[@erniereyes1994]

@@skylaraustin2304 that's the most disrespectful comment I've ever read

[@superAweber]

There's a version of Hamlet on BBC iPlayer now that's 2 hours long. I watched 7 minutes and 4 seconds before realizing I'd had enough. Came here to look for a summary. Glad I did.

[@nicci2k9]

Every in depth, not just your usual run-of-the-mill summary. Thank-you!

[@saral123456789]

"Forty thousand brother could not, with all their quantity of love, make up my sum"- Such great lines in this play!

[@Barzins1]

What a piece of work is a man. How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties. ..... I agree. Hamlet is the best.

[@22OrangeGirl]

Well Shakespeare ain't the GOAT for no reason.

[@pollobgoswami9656]

hyperbole

[@xXxJokerManxXx]

SparkNotes: a godsent to students

[@baranmutafcoglu717]

still is!

[@tjmcavoy-jensen871]

@@baranmutafcoglu717 I used the sparknotes website for several books in high school… it was a literal savior… I’m now a 4th year in university abs using the website again and just found the KZbin channel today lol

[@Luke-z2l]

Plagiarism is Godmode. Copy then paste your own version. Godsend. Now, what's the moral of the story?

[@bellebonnefin]

You’re actually kidding I watched a 3 hour play when I could of just watched this and get the same information. Haha

[@knighta.shakir704]

wow, the same thing happened to me too!

[@stevenbridgelal6897]

i'm just saying, this video really put into perspective how sad and pointless half of the story was

[@DaKingOfBall23]

***** what do these numbers represent

[@DaKingOfBall23]

***** pretty boost

[@suiliriarte1791]

This tragedy was no pointless at all. There are so many themes that just get to you. Truth versus Appearances, will Hamlet be saved? Was the ghist real? Was it a demon? Was hamlet really mad? Was he spot on for everything? Could it be half and half? Did he really love Ophelia? Did Ophelia spoke the truth about Hamlet? Did he have an Oedipus complex? This is all for YOU to decide. There's an array of answers, and they can all be backed up, it's the interpretation. There is no wrong guy answer if you manage to find the clues given. There's nothing saying what is the truth, so what is? This play is fucking amazing. Just pure genius. In the name of Hamnet, RIP.

[@ItzTrickshotHD]

***** 65-100 alot of time for videogames and movies?

[@datboybigrub]

+looot box I'm not a gamer myself but my brother is and I think I.know what I'm going to do now after 60 lol. :P GTA 10 sounds good

[@TotallyNotRio]

Hamlet forced Claudius to drink from the poison cup AND stab him with the poison sword? See, people. There's always overkill.

[@dawntherin2833]

In one of the movie versions, Hamlet not only stabs and poisons him, but drops a chandelier on him as well. It's kind of ridiculous.

[@mommy5045]

double kill and kinds self report

[@diggydiggydwarf34]

Double it and give it to the next person

[@bariskoe1]

was i too distracted or did the video really not mention the "the be or not to be" scene?

[@kriskijktvideos]

bariskoe1 i don’t think it was mentioned in the video specifically but it was hamlet asking wether he had to keep going or if he has to die. To be or not to be basically means “should I live and keep going or should I kill myself?”

[@azoj777]

You must be kidding me, I loved Hamlet! Amazingly well written. A must read, and you're missing out on a lot!

[@captainobvious8662]

Nerd

[@adrianacruz9222]

Nah

[@jamesthekid1705]

Sto canale mi ha salvato il culo tante di quelle volte...

[@thabangselepe7768]

I just finished writing thank you soo much I nailed that essay because of this summary. I will be telling me kids about you guys trust me🤞🏽. We once went to go watch hamlet with my school but I was high and slept throughout the play. I low-key thought I was going to fail but you changed that. I probably got 23 on that essay. Again thank you❤️❤️ May GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[@TheGoProGuy07]

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! Fortinbrass got it spot on! XD

[@wallykaspars9700]

How does anyone keep track of the multitude of characters and all the stuff everyone does.? It seems like 4 or 5 plays rolled into one.

[@CrispySkinwalker]

just think of lion king, that's the whole story

[@Biczeschlappe]

+Timber Huskeh "Tell him that his commandment is fulfilled. Timoncrantz and Pumbaastern are dead"

[@SmellyLegend]

U never watched Game of Thrones bra?

[@dawntherin2833]

There really aren't that many characters in Hamlet though. And if you think this plot is convoluted, never even try to read one of Shakespeare's comedies.

[@nicoleeaves2153]

@@SmellyLegend reading it is like 100x worse

[@Tama-mx6ux]

Thanks for the good short summary. Initially I'm thankful, because now I know the story without spending a relatively lot more time than reading the play or watch one of the adaptation. Yet, somehow now I feel the need to read the original play, and after that most likely will try to find out which one is the recommended adaptation to watch.

[@TheTechieTepig]

He had many chances to kill Claudius, such as the scene in the church, where Hamlet decides to not kill him purely because he was praying and thought he would be sent to heaven. It was due to this that Claudius managed to kill Gertrude and Hamlet.

[@adityapatil2693]

Thanks man cuz of ur notes I completely understand the Hamlet "To be or not to be"

[@hayleyknowles2147]

This helped me so much with my English assessment. Thank you!!!

[@Vasileski88]

So essentially it's a clusterfuck.

[@Shinn7755]

I think the illustrations really do help out with the story :) love it. And Lovely character Designs!

[@glossykisses]

Just found out my professors copy and paste SparkNotes' lectures. So here I am, having it straight from the source. LOL.

[@ajbrown7865]

That's shakespeare for you. Watch his plays a 100 times and you'll notice something different every single time. I think only a genius could absorb it all on the first viewing and Shakespeare is definitely a GENIUS for writing it. I don't think people realise how different life would be if he never existed. From the lessons taught through his plays to the way we speak everyday.

[@brightjoe651]

You guys are the best! I hate reading such long stories and I had an exam tomorrow on this. Instead of wasting so much time on reaching those lengthy pages, I found this video. Really helpful to me and my friends. This would take me almost 8 hours to finish it. Just learned the main concept within just 8 minutes! Keep up the good work and once again- "SparkNotes is Awesome!"

[@zahrazaveri8140]

I love this! The story is concise, detailed, in modern day English, and the illustrations are stellar! Instead of spending my time binge-watching silly shows I can catch up on Shakespeare in 8 minutes. Super cool 😎

[@s.monishasrinivasan868]

Wow! how to say? Shakespeare was a wonderful author and his plays are very nice. I have no words to say how much I like his plays. His plays are unbelievable and amazing. Hamlet is a very good play. I like that. Thank you Shakespeare for given a wonderful play.

[@henrywylie8978]

must be where GRR Martin gets his inspiration

[@karlosthejackel69]

Fire n ice was based on the war of the roses, the English civil War

[@kamrunnisha8016]

Happy teacher's day. Be always happy and blessed. Enjoy your day as awesome as you are. Thank you so much for everything. You have done for us.

[@joeyp.8501]

Sons of Anarchy:John Teller,Gemma Teller-Morrow,Clay Morrow, and Jax Teller. There are some pretty similar parts in the show between these four.

[@haveaseatmarj]

A well done video with great artwork! Perfect for the viewing of Shakespeare in the Park in NYC this summer!

[@archdevillucifer]

im ready for finals now LOL

[@garretwelpman3997]

yuhhhhhh

[@bullz_10]

Boss... Amazing summary.. I said it last time I was on here this summary is the best in the world

[@bullz_10]

I'M SERIOUS!!

[@ChuckP123]

Shakespeare: "I think I'll have them die in the end." "OK, which characters do you want to die?" Shakespeare: "Yes"

[@briananderson2219]

I am so grateful for finding your channel.

[@erinhedrick5515]

I loved Hamlet, it was such a good read. I want to see it live one day

[@Giganatoranator]

Fortinbras is Mr.StealyoKingdom

[@darkeryy]

HAHAHAHA😂😂😂

[@8nfiniteMind]

Lmaooo

[@hanksadmireraynrandismyfav9853]

No, he kept his word. He said he’d invade Poland and HE DID, when it was so EASY to invade Denmark. Then he got the kingdom anyway, for I believe God wanted to reward his honor.

[@hammad9448]

Fortinbras is a straight savage

[@Faptastique]

This was the best description I’ve read so far, thank you!

[@chelsp7905]

Fortinbras's attack on Poland is a ploy to get permission to go near Denmark. He wants his father's lands back. It's his primary goal throughout the entire play. The scene just before the graveyard scene (Act 4, scene 6 I think), shows Hamlet encountering soldiers of Fortinbras explaining their true intentions. Hamlet knew Fortinbras was about to attack and even commented that he was running out of time to kill Claudius before someone else did.

[@Barzins1]

Yes. I thought I'd remembered that as well.

[@maribelguevara3550]

I seriously love you ! You have helped me understand books way better !

[@akaashisth0t127]

Who else is like da faq is happening

[@ekke9684]

@HEATH Kyle ye

[@disgraceinlife7532]

ikr

[@kirayoshikage5093]

Excatly!

[@lune4916]

TODOROKIIIII

[@dizoner2610]

The best story I’ve ever heard , especially the ending

[@theipodgay]

Thx for the summary really helped me out :)

[@178som]

it's a hindi movie based on hamlet

[@elimeder469]

So this is a good but REALLY basic summary. So many topics are relevant in Hamlet (which are mostly subliminal), and this video mentions none of them: putting on a false face, whether the ghost is an evil spirit, unnatural deaths, when to think or not think, death is the ultimate equalizer, etc. The internal/external conflicts, motifs, humor and other stuff that Shakespeare fits into Hamlet are what make this play great. Also, 1. Ophelia says she won't speak to Hamlet, but really she will still talk to him 2. The climax is when Claudius has his back to Hamlet while praying, and Hamlet could kill him 3. Hamlet doesn't escape from the pirates, he makes Claudius pay to get him back 4. Claudius lets Gertrude drink the poison because he is a coward, he actually has time to stop her 5. Hamlet tells Fortinbras to be king as he is dying 6. Fortinbras didn't arrive as a visit to Claudius, he came to conquer Denmark

[@a4yt596]

I bet u guys are writing a test tomorrow

[@azhy20]

yes

[@Nomad01134]

Nah just interested in literature

[@cha.cha.real.smooth]

bro really called me out

[@_askb.]

Yuppp

[@elifistanb]

I love you sparknotes! You're always such a help. Keep up the good work!

[@khushisurti8034]

The fact the I just got to know that Shakespeare never wrote anything original and it was always inspired from something shook me.( Learnt in my lit class)

[@Tolstoy111]

Most of his sources were also taking the material from an even earlier source.

[@jessy8427]

I couldn't focus on the story because of your beautiful accent and nice voice 😂 Omg I can repeat this video like forever💕😍

[@spencerclarke4180]

Pretty sure that Fortinbras didn't claim the kingdom for himself. Before Hamlet dies, he basically says that he wants Fortinbras to inherit the throne because Hamlet admires him. Hamlet gains the admiration when he meets Fortinbras as he is going to Poland. And Fortinbras comes back to Denmark after he is finished in Poland. Not to solely see Claudius. :)

[@colinvking]

Brilliant summary. Should be the first thing kids see and hear before they have to study the text in detail.

[@sidlico7502]

Shakespeare and George R. R. Martin should work together :)

[@sidlico7502]

I know he's DEAD. Just sayin' that's all

[@cath4300]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HypeGod6969]

Then the level of English will be on steroids man.

[@cursedkitchen8752]

Titus Andronicus

[@nicoleeaves2153]

It would be way too fucked up.

[@briananderson2219]

I must now go binge watch all of your videos

[@sergiord119]

thank you for helping me to do my homework

[@djwASMR]

Just save me the time of my life reading all that shakes spear we need people like you in the literature world😂😂😂😂😂 “A+”me please

[@Quizedia]

Thanx sooo much, it helped me to pass ma exam

[@FireEmblemElitist]

Love Shakespeare, of course, but it can be so difficult to keep all the names straight. Videos like this help a lot in making sure I have a clear understanding of what even happened in the story.

[@reecedobbs6456]

my summary for hamlet death death and more death💀💀💀💀💀

[@rehamreda8954]

can u write a plot of hamlet

[@Sleepyhead_22]

Wow this takes me back- year 7 research on Shakespeare. Currently doing a masters degree. Damn time flies.

[@ash1d205]

Hamlet forced Claudius to drink from the poison cup !!! i was thinking about Joffery this whole time !!!!!

[@nottoofatofacat3716]

i prefer 8mins of knowledge than a month of reading =3 thanks very much :)

[@lucaskoukouvaos2589]

Lol a nunnery in that time referred to a brothel as well, and that sinister reference is what Hamlet meant to Ophelia, not for her to literally become a nun.

[@animals0feel1pain2]

haha, these videos make me actually like the classics we read in English... if only this was up five years ago when i was still in high school, i might've actually liked my classes more.

[@GhostPlanetFilms]

When the ghost appears again, he doesn't scold Hamlet. He tells him not to be so hard to his mother. He does, however, remind him to avenge himself on Claudius.

[@Buzzoit]

I have two write this damn exam that I was supposed to do like two years ago, but alas complications... Anways, I needed an example so that's why I'm here. GL to the lot of ye.

[@X2Finest23]

So the prince of Norway just took over the entire kingdom. Damn he's lucky

[@shellbyrussell2330]

I was watching hamlet and even though I understand some parts I didn’t understand the entire thing so this clears up ALOT !

[@nuva9658]

I have a test in 3 hours. I just started. This story is really something SMH.

[@maksimkirandziski9660]

So, how did you do?

[@nuva9658]

@@maksimkirandziski9660 haven't gotten the results yet due to covid 😂

[@Kaelan-o4r]

soooo? how’d it go??

[@rajkumarwadeyar6409]

Amazing video. Mike you're narration is awesome. I loved it.

[@margaritaramos2977]

Who is Watching this because they had time to actually read the book and tried but gave up and have a test tmmr bcuz I did 😂💀

[@shaniyaweekes3316]

Shakespeare woke up and chose violence and DEATH

[@SilverSkyeStarlight]

Instead of using the phrase "Jinx! You owe me a coke!" I substitute in "O! My prophetic soul!"

[@creativeacademyofenglish2439]

This is great work .keep it up sir , you're doing a great job .kindly all summaries from shakespeare plays.love you sir

[@TheRuggedPyrrhus]

I just made a video analyzing the character of Claudius. I hope that it will help some of you students preparing for exams!

[@Mayank.cg04]

Haider(2014) is a great adaptation of Hamlet, it has a sense of originality while still paralleling with the basic storyline. please do watch it, if you like hamlet, you will love haider too.

[@Mayank.cg04]

Yes, dialogues have been revived, although they somehow reflect the essence of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Since Haider is set on a different time period (1995 A.D.), and different location (Kashmir,India); appropriate alterations have been made in dialogues as well. P.S. Let me also clarify that Haider is a movie. It has garnered over thirty national and international awards. Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haider_(film)

[@BrainstormHaZe_]

I don't give a fuck about this at all I'm just here for a homework assignment

[@TheSencri]

Test today,. Had the whole summer prepare but still here i am.

[@Aristocat93]

Too bad “get thee to a nunnery” means “go to a brothel” So many things slightly incorrect.

[@Myrdden71]

I believe that it can mean both a brothel, or a convent, at that time, which was Shakespeare at his best, letting you decide which you want to think he meant. :)

[@bearclaw]

The look on Fortinbras's face at the end is priceless.

[@WafflessGaming]

2:41 why does hamlet look like a jojo in this scene

[@deanadams3099]

The art is fantastic

[@frank4446]

Night before the AP Literature exam how we feeling lads

[@jinx6534]

I literately forgot about all the books I read

[@joesyauh]

YESSIR

[@penelopebunce]

I have yet to read Hamlet, but since English is not my native language, I can't always understand Shakespeare's works very well. So I decided to watch this first, so the play will be easier to understand for me.

[@sushigod101]

Dick move, Fortinbras.

[@dramakittymeow]

Fortinbras is a dick to Denmark.

[@Gtrdxvgyfvbhhfc]

Michael Jordan it's all fake, sorry

[@david0the0great]

At the time Shakespeare wrote the play the word 'nunnery' did in fact refer to either a brothel or a convent. However I think that in this case it did refer to a convent. "Get thee to a nunnery - why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?" This quote from Hamlet only makes sense when the word nunnery refers to a convent as this is the only way that Ophelia could avoid becoming a "breeder of sinners".

[@amberharrison4413]

"to a nunnery" does not mean to become a nun

[@elentavaril390]

5:50 The gravedigger be like: "You want a skull, kiddo? You seem like you want a human skull! Here you go." 😂