The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's quest for revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who murdered his father, the King. Hamlet feigns madness while plotting his revenge, leading to a series of tragic events, including the deaths of Ophelia, Polonius, and ultimately, Hamlet himself. The play explores themes of betrayal, revenge, madness, and mortality.

The play opens with the ghost of Hamlet's father appearing to Hamlet and revealing that he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius, who then married Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. Filled with grief and a burning desire for revenge, Hamlet pretends to be mad while plotting to kill Claudius. His feigned madness becomes a tool to manipulate those around him, and he uses actors to expose Claudius's guilt. The situation further escalates with the deaths of Polonius, Ophelia, and Hamlet's friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. In the final act, Hamlet duels with Laertes, Ophelia's brother, who has been manipulated by Claudius to kill him. The duel ends in a tragic climax, with everyone involved dying, including Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius.

The play serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of revenge, the complexities of human emotions, and the inevitability of death. It also highlights the fragility of human relationships and the corrupting influence of power.