Brief introduction to the play "Hamlet"- by Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare at an uncertain date between 1599 and 1602.

Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet is called to wreak upon his uncle, Claudius by the ghost of Hamlet's father, King Hamlet. Claudius had murdered his own brother and seized the throne, also marrying his deceased brother's widow(Wikipedia).

Hamlet is one of the four great tragedies written by Shakespeare. It presents the tragic story of the prince of the Denmark. The king of Denmark has recently died. On his death, his son, Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, who is a student at the University of Wittenberg, is summoned to Danish court. Hamlet feels miserable that his father's throne has been seized by his uncle, Claudius and his mother has married him.

"To be or not to be that is the question
Whether its nobler in the mind to suffer
The stings and arrows of the outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles"

Another shock comes to Hamlet when his beloved Ophelia, rejects his suit on the advice of his father, Polonius.

Hamlet learns from his friend, Horatio, and two officers that they have sighted his Father's ghost. As Hamlet himself encounters the ghost, the latter tells him the reality that his father has been poisoned by his uncle. The ghost also burdens Hamlet with the responsibility of avenging his death.

Claudius appoints two spies Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to keep a watch on Hamlet. Hamlet tells to these two spies 
"Do you think im easier to be played on than pipe?"
The latter arranges the staging of the  play " the Murder of Gonzango" to which the king is also invited.

"the play is the thing where in I will
Catch the conscience of the king" 

The King's abnormal behavior while watching a play, convince Hamlet of Claudius's guilt. Having been convinced of Claudius's and his mother's collusion in the murder of his father, Hamlet scolds his mother in closed room. But as he hears an echo From behind the curtain, he thrusts his rapier at the person hidden. This is how Polonius who was eavesdropping gets killed.

Claudius tries his best to know the real cause of Hamlet's madness ecstasy or discretion, but having failed in his effort, he says

"Though this be madness,
Yet there is method in that."

Thus he decides to send him out to England. In the ship with two spies, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet opens sealed letter which contains the orders, for his execution on his reaching England. He cleverly changes the order for the execution of the spies who lose their life in the venture.

On learning about the death of her father, Ophelia goes mad, while her brother Leartes burns with the desire for revenge which is sharpened by Claudius.

As Ophelia's dead body is being lowered in grave, Hamlet grapples with Leartes. The two have a bloody duel in which both of them are badly wounded.

When two figures are dying the villainy of Claudius is divulged by Leartes and Gertrude, the queen. Hamlet kills Claudius with his poisoned rapier and soon Fortinbras arrives to be the next ruler of Denmark.