The Text Summary Act I, Scene I - It is midnight and bitter cold. On a platform (a level space on the battlements) outside the castle at Elsinore in Denmark, a sentry (Francisco) is being relieved by another (Bernardo). Later, Marcellus and Horatio join Bernardo. Horatio is there at Marcellus's request but doubts the sentries' story that on two previous nights they have seen a ghost. But the ghost reappears, and Horatio, seeing its resemblance …showed first 75 words of 3371 total…

…showed last 75 words of 3371 total…wounds Claudius and gives him the poisoned wine. Claudius dies. Just before Laertes dies, he asks Hamlet to exchange forgiveness with him. Hamlet is dying. Horatio is about to commit suicide, but Hamlet says he must live to tell Hamlet's story and clear his name. Fortinbras arrives, victorious, and Hamlet, dying. predicts Fortinbras will be Denmark's new king. Fortinbras assumes the authority, gives a tribute to Hamlet, and says he will have a hero's burial.