Major Conflict

Prompted by the Ghost of his father, Hamlet feels a responsibility to avenge his father’s murder by his uncle Claudius, but Hamlet struggles with his doubts about whether he can trust the Ghost and whether killing Claudius is the appropriate thing to do.

Rising Action

The Ghost appears to Hamlet and tells him to revenge his murder; Hamlet feigns madness to his intentions; Hamlet stages the “mousetrap” play; Hamlet passes up the opportunity to kill Claudius while he is praying.

Climax

When Hamlet mistakes Polonius for Claudius and kills him at the end of Act 3, he commits himself to overtly violent action and brings himself into unavoidable conflict with Claudius.

Falling Action

Hamlet is sent to England to be killed; Hamlet returns to Denmark and confronts Laertes at Ophelia’s funeral; the fencing match; the deaths of the royal family