Hamlet
English Home Language
Summaries
Grade 12
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
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share, or sell our content without permission.
, Background
SETTING
The story of Hamlet was written between 1599
and 1601.
It is based on a Danish revenge story first
recorded by Saxo-Grammaticus in the 1100s.
The setting is Denmark during the Elizabethan
times.
Most of the action in the play takes place in
and around the royal palace in Elsinore.
Facts
Full title: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of
Denmark
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Genre: Tragedy; revenge tragedy
Major conflict: Hamlet feels a responsibility to
avenge his father’s murder by his uncle Claudius,
but Claudius is now the king and this complicates
matters for Prince Hamlet. Moreover, Hamlet has
doubts about whether he can trust the ghost, and
whether killing Claudius is the appropriate thing to
do.
Setting (time): Most of the scenes take place at
night or in the dark
Settings (place): In and around (mostly) the royal
palace in Elsinore, a city in Denmark.
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
All notes, summaries, and study materials are owned by Knap Opsommings. Please use them only for your personal school learning. Do not copy,
share, or sell our content without permission.
English Home Language
Summaries
Grade 12
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
All notes, summaries, and study materials are owned by Knap Opsommings. Please use them only for your personal school learning. Do not copy,
share, or sell our content without permission.
, Background
SETTING
The story of Hamlet was written between 1599
and 1601.
It is based on a Danish revenge story first
recorded by Saxo-Grammaticus in the 1100s.
The setting is Denmark during the Elizabethan
times.
Most of the action in the play takes place in
and around the royal palace in Elsinore.
Facts
Full title: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of
Denmark
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Genre: Tragedy; revenge tragedy
Major conflict: Hamlet feels a responsibility to
avenge his father’s murder by his uncle Claudius,
but Claudius is now the king and this complicates
matters for Prince Hamlet. Moreover, Hamlet has
doubts about whether he can trust the ghost, and
whether killing Claudius is the appropriate thing to
do.
Setting (time): Most of the scenes take place at
night or in the dark
Settings (place): In and around (mostly) the royal
palace in Elsinore, a city in Denmark.
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
All notes, summaries, and study materials are owned by Knap Opsommings. Please use them only for your personal school learning. Do not copy,
share, or sell our content without permission.
