Hamlet Analysis

I think I remember hearing about Shakespeare once before. He was some writer from like Canada or England or something. The only important part is that he's married to Anne Hathaway. Um he did write Hamlet (that's the story (play? I didn't get too far into it..) this blog is on).
Hamlet was written by Shakespeare. It takes place in Elsinore (Denmark). Significant characters are as follows:
Hamlet- Prince/Protagonist, son of the late Hamlet I and Gertrude. Been away at University. Thoughtful but also passionate and rash and indecisive.
Claudius- Hamlet I's brother. Murdered Hamlet I, married his adulterous wife. One of the main antagonists. Cold but human, and intelligent.
Horatio- Hamlet's closest friend, a fellow scholar. One of the few survivors.
Kenneth Branagh- Hamlet. Jesus. So much more.
Ophelia- Booty call. Hamlet's girlfriend-ish SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BEAUTIFUL seems pretty dependent. Kills herself. Polonius' daughter.
Rosencrantz/Guildenstern- Clueless but loyal. Poor guys I hope Shakespeare felt bad.
Polonius- Advisor, father to Ophelia/Laertes.

Summary:
Hamlet I's ghost appears on the walls of Elsinore. Horatio is consulted, who immediately calls for Hamlet. Hamlet I's ghost visits again, talks to Hamlet, and reveals that he was murdered by his brother, Claudius, for the love of his wife, Gertrude. Hamlet is shocked and vows to slay his uncle. Hamlet pretends madness and the new king and old queen (Claudius and Gertrude) assign Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to watch him. Polonius and Claudius spy on Hamlet and Ophelia, following Polonius' suggestion that Hamlet's apparent madness might be caused by his love for Ophelia. Hamlet still seems mad enough, but it looks like he loves Ophelia less. A group of actors stops by and Hamlet implores them to act out a scene remarkable similar to what may have occurred at Elsinore. At the climax, Claudius exits the room, proving his guilt to Hamlet. Hamlet goes to kill Claudius but finds hi praying and refrains, thinking that Claudius may go to Heaven. Hamlet then goes to his mother's chamber and kills Polonius (sort of on accident but eh). Claudius decides that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern will escort Hamlet to England where his death awaits him. Ophelia drowns herself for many reasons. Laertes comes home and Claudius convinces him that Hamlet is the only villain there. Hamlet's ship is attacked by pirates and he returns to Denmark in time for Ophelia's funeral- where he meets Laertes and the two agree to fence. Claudius poisons Laertes' foil to be sure that Hamlet is killed. Claudius also decides to poison a goblet with pearls, for Hamlet to drink while fencing. Gertrude drink the wine instead. Hamlet and Laertes are both touched by the poisoned blade. They make their peace. Laertes dies. Hamlet stabs Claudius then forces him to drink the remaining poison. Claudius dies, Hamlet dies. Fortinbras arrives. Horatio tells Fortinbras the story. Fortinbras assumes command. End. 

Motifs:
Revenge- Too much revenge. People die. Revenge is fighting fire with fire- the bad things people do is punished with the bad things other people do in retaliation. 
Religion- People took that a little too seriously (or maybe not, sorry) and bad things happened because of it. 
Acting- Pretending to be something got all these characters killed. Or it certainly didn't help them live longer. 
Isolation- Isolated characters are/were more likely to make reckless/impulsive decisions than other characters. 

Theme:
Moral confusion and isolation can lead to paranoia and corruption and the upset of the natural order. 
If people stop figuring the difference between right and wrong and/or are isolated, they can be more easily corrupted (or already have been) and will mess with fate and all that nonsense. 

Quotes:
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" - applies to most characters and a lot of the situations. 
"That is should come to this!" - pretty much. Everyone took everything a little further than was really necessary.