A Brief Hamlet History

The story of Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays. It is a tragic play that begins and ends with death.
Originally it was performed in London's Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's plays were often first shown. Around the time Hamlet was performed, Shakespeare had gone through a tragedy writing phase, writing plays such as Julius Caesar and Titus Andronicus. 
Hamlet is a story of fighting and death. Claudius killed Hamlet's father and married his mother in order to be king. Gertrude knows all of this and simply tries to convince Hamlet to get out of mourning for his father. Hamlet goes a little bit crazy over wondering whether or not he should avenge his father and kill Claudius. Polonius wants to know exactly what is bothering Hamlet and while spying on him, ends up getting himself killed. Ophelia becomes insane over her lover killing her father and kills herself. Laertes challenges Hamlet to a fight. A very paranoid Claudius wants Hamlet killed so he poisons Laertes's sword and the winner's wine so whichever way the fight ended up going, Hamlet would surely die. Hamlet does get scratched, but manages to stab Laertes and Claudius. Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine. Everyone ends up dying and the state of Denmark is bleak.
The play should be dark, symbolic, as well as entertaining. There are no great funny parts, but all audience members can relate to at least one character in the play, whether as corrupt as Claudius or as innocent as Ophelia.

Sources cited
Brockett, Oscar G. "English Theatre to 1642." History of the Theatre. Foundation Edition ed. New York: Pearson Education, 2007. 119-22. Print.