Hamlet Six Subplots
There are six subplots to the play Hamlet. These plots include Fortinbras Incursion, Ophelia’s Story, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s story, Polonius’ espial on Hamlet, the Play Within the Play, and Hamlet’s banishment to England. These subplots are all stories within the play that each have their own tragic endings. All six subplots have to do with the main character of the play, Hamlet, and his need to know the truth about his father’s death. The first of the six subplots is Fortinbras Incursion. This is about Fortinbras story and the role he plays. Fortinbras father was killed in battle by King Hamlet, which forfeited certain lands to King Hamlet. Fortinbras seeks out revenge for his father’s death and wants to take control of the lands again. An emissary then heads to Norway to talk to the King of Norway, Fortinbras uncle, out of attacking Denmark. The king of Norway makes peace with Denmark but warns them that Foritnbras will be going through Denmark to Poland. In the end of the play, Fortinbras is coming back through Denmark and comes across the slaughtered land where Hamlet asks him to be king of Denmark. The second subplot of Hamlet is Ophelia’s story. Hamlet and Ophelia have a love for each other that is destroyed when Hamlet pretends to be insane. This affects Ophelia on a deep level when Hamlet rejects Ophelia. Ophelia then goes insane from this which causes her to commit suicide. Ophelia’s death is caused by Hamlet’s need to know the truth about his father’s death. The third subplot of the play Hamlet is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s story. They are old childhood friends of Hamlet that become concerned from the rumours being spread about Hamlet. However when they talk to King Claudius they become more concerned with impressing the king then their own friends well-being and agree to spy on him. Hamlet finds out their true intentions and switches the order for his death with theirs. Hamlet thinks they deserve the hand fate dealt them. The