Much of the action takes place before the play begins:
30 YEARS BEFORE: King Hamlet and Gertrude marry. The player king and queen represent them: “Thirty dozen moons with borrowed sheen about the world have times twelve thirties been, since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands unite communal in most sacred bands” (Player King: 3.2.149-152)).
LATER THAT YEAR: King Hamlet kills Fortinbras in single combat, and Hamlet is born (Sexton [grave digger]: 5.1.135-139, 152-153; Horatio: 1.1.82-86).
Young Fortinbras is older than Hamlet, since his father died the day Hamlet was born. Therefore, young Fortinbras was alive when Hamlet was born.
VERY YOUNG HAMLET plays with Yorick: “He hath borne me on his back a thousand times” (Hamlet: 5.1.176-177)
23 YEARS BEFORE: Yorick dies and is buried (Sexton: 5.1.162-164).
Hamlet as a youth is brought up with Rosencrantz and Guildernstern, whom Hamlet considers good friends. (Gertrude: 2.2.11-12; Hamlet: 2.2.221, 236).
MORE THAN 2 MONTHS BEFORE: Claudius seduces Gertrude and they have an adulterous affair. “That incestuous, that adulterate beast, with witchcraft of his wit . . . won to his shameful lust the will of my most seeming virtuous Queen.” (Ghost: 1.5.42-46). Claudius decides to kill King Hamlet and marry Gertrude (Claudius: 3.3.54-55).
ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE: Claudius murders King Hamlet (“But two months dead-nay not so much-not two” (Hamlet: 1.2.137-138).
LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER THE MURDER: King Hamlet was buried, and shortly after that, Claudius and Gertrude marry (Hamlet: 1.2.145-151; Horatio: 1.2.176-181).
Between the murder and the beginning of play, Claudius is elected and becomes king, disappointing Hamlet who had hoped to become king: “[Claudius] Popped in between the election and my hopes” (Hamlet: 5.2.65).
TWO NIGHTS BEFORE: Marcellus and Bernardo see the ghost of King Hamlet (1.1.33)
THE PLAY BEGINS: There are three time periods.
FIRST TIME PERIOD: is over 2 days with 5 episodes. It is almost two months since the murder. The time is early spring: the night is very cold (Francisco: 1.1.7) (Hamlet and Horatio: 1.4.1-2)
First episode: Day one, night.Horatio, Marcellus and Bernardo are on the battlement and see the ghost of King Hamlet. (1.1.40-50; 1.1.126-144). They decide to tell Hamlet. (1.1.169-171).
Second episode: Day two: The Court scene. (1.2.1-128). Hamlet’s soliloquy. (1.2.129-158). Horatio tells Hamlet of the ghost. (1.2.159-257).
Third episode: Laertes warns Ophilia about Hamlet. (1.3.1-51). Polonius gives advice and blessing to Laertes. (1.3.52-87). Departure of Laertes for France. Polonius orders Ophila to cease all contact with Hamlet. (1.3.88-136).
Fourth episode: Day two, night. Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus are on the battlement. They see the ghost, who signals Hamlet to follow it. (1.4.38-61).
Fifth episode: Hamlet and the ghost, who tells Hamlet of the murder and demands revenge. (1.5.1-91). Horatio and Marcellus enter and Hamlet talks of putting an antic disposition on, and swears them to secrecy. (1.5.113-181).
SECOND TIME PERIOD: 12 episodes over 3 days. It is two months later. It is “twice two months” since King Hamlet’s death. Ophilia (3.2.123).
Day one: First episode:: Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. (2.1.1-71). Ophila enters and tells how Hamlet has frightened her with his strange behavior and appearance. (2.1.72-117).
Second episode: Claudius and Gertrude receive Rosencratnz and Guildernstern and enlist them to spy on Hamlet. (2.2.1-39). Polonius enters, followed by Cornelius and Voltimand, who report on the success of their visit to Norway. (2.2.58-85). Polonius tells of his belief that unrequited love of Ophilia is the cause of Hamlet’s madness. (2.2.86-168). Hamlet is sarcastic to Polonius. (2.2.170-216).
Third episode: Rosencrantz and Guildernstern enter, and Hamlet discovers they were sent for to spy on him. (2.2.217-287) They talk of the players of the city who are coming. (2.2.308-358). Polonius enters to tell of the arrival of the players, and they also enter. (2.2.380-420). Hamlet has them recite lines from a play of the Trojan wars and the death of Priam. (2.2.421-507). Hamlet asks them to play the Murder of Gonzago the next night with lines added by him, which he hopes will cause Claudius to show his guilt for the death of King Hamlet. (2.2.508-590).
Day two: Fourth episode: Rosencrantz and Guildernstern tell Claudius that Hamlet ordered a play to be given that night. (3.1.20-28). Hamlet’s soliloquy “To be or not to be” (3.1.56-87), and then he confronts Ophilia. (3.1.88-161). Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England. (3.1.162-175).
Fifth episode: that night: Hamlet lectures the players about acting (3.2.1-44), The court assembles and the play is presented. (3.2.45-255) Claudius stops the play when it comes close to presenting the murder of King Hamlet. (3.2.256-260).
Sixth episode: Hamlet and Horatio discuss Claudius’ reaction to the play and his implied confession of guilt. (3.2.262-281). Rosencrantz and Guildernstern tell Hamlet of Claudius’ anger and that Gertrude wants to see him. (3.2.282-330). Hamlet mocks them and their attempt to spy on him. (3.2.331-359).
Seventh episode: Claudius at prayer confesses to the murder. (3.3.36-72). Hamlet almost kills him, but thinks it will not be revenge because Claudius is at prayer and will go to heaven. (3.3.73-96).
Eighth episode: Hamlet with Gertrude, he kills Polonius and has a confrontation with Gertrude. (3.4.1-216).
Ninth episode: Claudius enters and Gertrude tells him of the slaying of Polonius. (4.1.1-32) Claudius sends Rosencrantz and Guildernstern to find Hamlet and Polonius’ body. (4.1.33-37).
Tenth episode: Hamlet refuses to tell Rosencrantz and Guildernstern where he has hidden Polonius’ body, and mocks them. (4.2.1-27)
Eleventh episode: Hamlet tells the location of the body, and Claudius orders him to go to England. (4.3.1-58). Claudius reveals that he has ordered Hamlet to be killed by the English. (4.3.59-69).
Twelfth episode: Morning of the third day. Hamlet about to depart for England, meets Fortinbras’ men marching to Poland. (4.4.1-31). Hamlet’s soliloquy about courage. (4.4.32-66).
THIRD TIME PERIOD: 6 episodes. There are no precise indications of the time involved, but it appears to occur over several days. It is almost 2 months later. Claudius tells Laertes “Two months since here was a gentleman of Normandy” (Lamord, who praised Laertes skill as swordsman, which made Hamlet jealous.) (4.7.80-104). Since Hamlet had not yet departed for England, the visit of Lamord must have occurred before the second time period. The time is summer, it is sultry and hot. (Osrick, 5.2.92, 97). Ophilia picks flowers (4.5.155-184) and is able to float on the brook in which she drowns. (4.7.163-182).
Between the second and third time period much has happened: Hamlet steals into Rosencrantz and Guildernstern’s cabin, takes Claudius’ letter and substitutes one he has written in its place. (5.2.15-53) He is captured by pirates two days after departing (4.6.13-18). Rosencrantz and Guildernstern continue to England where they are executed. ( 4.6.25-26, 5.2.363-364) and Ophilia becomes mad. (4.5.82-84, 159-160, 178)
First episode: Gertrude reluctantly receives Ophilia (4.5.1-16) Claudius enters and Ophila leaves. Laertes breaks in with a crowd of his followers who proclaim him king.(4.5.101-108). Ophilia re-enters and gives flowers to all. (4.5.155-184). Claudius calms Laertes and promises to satisfy him that he is guiltless of Polonius’ death. (4.5.200-217).
Second episode: Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet describing his capture by pirates and asking him to come quickly “as thou woulds’t fly death”. (4.6.1-30).
Third episode: Claudius has convinced Laertes of his innocence, when a letter arrives from Hamlet announcing his return to Denmark. (4.7.1-5, 35-51). They conspire to murder Hamlet. (4.7.130-160). Gertrude enters to announce the death of Ophila by drowning. (4.7.161-193).
Fourth episode: Hamlet and Horatio at the graveyard where they banter with the Sexton [gravedigger]. (5.1.112-207). The funeral procession for Ophila enters, and Hamlet and Laertes fight. (5.1.208-283).
Fifth episode: Hamlet explains to Horatio about Claudius’ letter and the substitution of a new one ordering the death of Rosencrantz and Guildernstern. (5.2.1-56). Osrick enters to invite Hamlet to a duel with Laertes. (5.2.156-170).
Sixth episode: Hamlet and Laertes duel. Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine, Laertes dies from the poisoned sword, Hamlet kills Claudius and then dies. (5.2.210-354). The English ambassador enters to announce the death of Rosencrantz and Guildernstern. Victorious Fortinbras arrives to claim the throne. (5.2.355-384).
