Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare around 1600. The play follows the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who is deeply affected by the death of his father, the former king. He learns that his uncle, Claudius, has murdered his father to seize the throne and marry his mother, Gertrude. Hamlet struggles with his desire for revenge and his moral dilemmas throughout the play. The themes of madness, betrayal, and mortality are central to the narrative. Hamlet's famous soliloquy, "To be, or not to be," reflects his existential thoughts. The play is renowned for its complex characters and profound exploration of human emotions, making it one of the most studied works in literature.