• Hamlet, William Sakespeare

• Introduction
• Short Summary
• Detailed Summary
• Summary Act I-Scene-I
• Summary Act I, Scene II
• Summary Act I, Scene III
• Summary Act I, Scene IV
• Summary Act I, Scene V
• Summary Act II, Scene I
• Summary Act II, Scene II
• Summary Act III, Scene I
• Summary Act III, Scene II
• Summary Act III, Scene III
• Summary Act III, Scene IV
• Summary Act IV, Scene I-II
• Summary Act IV, Scene III-IV
• Summary Act IV, Scene V
• Summary Act IV, Scene VI-VII
• Summary Act V, Scene I
• Summary Act V, Scene II
• Character of Hamlet
• Character of Ophelia
• Themes & Topics
• University Questions & Answers
• Top 10 Quotes from Hamlet
• Best Quotes from Hamlet

Act I, Scene-I Detailed Summary of Hamlet: "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare

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While the soldiers, Bernardo and Francisco, are on guard , they discuss the appearance of the ghost of the previous king of Denmark. While they are discussing this and other matters pertaining to the state affairs Horatio, the friend to Hamlet appears there. They welcome him warmly. While they are talking they witness the ghost of the king passing by. The soldiers ask Horatio to speak to the ghost since his "art a scholar". But before he can ask anything the ghost disappears from the scene.

They start conversing why the ghost has been visiting that part of the land quite often. They soon deviate from the topic of the ghost whilst it appears again. This time Horatio questions the ghost why it ever is aggrieved and astray to visit at this time of hour. They even charge at the ghost trying to stop the apparition but it just disappears. They decide to appraise Hamlet of the ghost of the king because:

"Let us impart what we have seen to-night
Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him."