Scene 1
This scene presents an overall tone of mystery and suspense. The opening lines of the play where there is a noise heard in the darkness gives the audience an immediate suspenseful moment which surely grabbed their attention quickly. When the ghost first entered the stage one can imagine that it was as genuinely scary for the original audiences as is any modern day horror film. Bernardo and Marcellus both seem to be apprehensive towards the ghost but on the other hand appear to be almost accustomed to its presence. Horatio, the only well educated of the trio, seems undaunted by its presence. It appeared as though Horatio was skeptical of the two guards ghost report but once he saw it for himself, he attempted to get right to the bottom of the situation by confronting the ghost. We get what appears to be a good dosage of foreshadowing when Horatio says that the ghost must be an omen of impending dangers to the Kingdom of Denmark. He guesses that since the ghost wears armor the King wore when conquering lands of Norway it may mean a future military attack from that old enemy in order to regain lost lands. When Horatio decides to tell Prince Hamlet it's a sign that he wants to have this mystery solved and that if indeed it is the departed king, Hamlet has the best chance of causing it to speak.

Scene 2
There is a large and very noticeable contrast between the settings of this and the previous scene. We are transported from the cold dark night outside to a seemingly jovial scene inside the castle. The audience is given a very unflattering first view of the new King Claudius. It's apparent that he snatched the throne from Prince Hamlet and even married his dead brother's wife within two months of his passing. The first thing the audience associates with this man is shady reasoning and activity. King Hamlet was much loved by all. Although his country is still in mourning, Claudius attempts to put an end to these feelings be forcing celebrations of his new marriage to the late king's widow. Although it isn't actually expressed as of yet in the play, all viewing it know with some degree of certainty that Claudius is the villain of this story. Also, given the fact that Claudius attempts to give Hamlet fatherly advice even though Hamlet is still in grieving, makes him even more of a shady character. It seems clear to all that very few respectable people would possess the blatancy needed to do such a thing. In private Hamlet is obviously very distressed simply because of the fact that he contemplates suicide. The only thing that keeps him from it is his Christian background, which tells him he would be damning himself to Hell if he were to commit the act.

Scene 3
This scene presents what could be seen as a normal family in contrast to the royal one. The royal family contains murder, betrayal, depression, corruption, and even incest. On the other hand, Polonius' family is well ordered and just about average. A son is going back to school and a daughter in love with a father who is doing his best to look out for both of their best interests. The only thing that appears to be abnormal about the family is how harshly both Polonius and Laertes treat Ophelia. Their interactions with her give both men an air of self-importance and arrogance. They seem to think Ophelia doesn't truly know what is best for her own good. She subsequently obeys the wish that both of them make, that she no longer see Hamlet. Although we may be suspicious that she doesn't like the idea, she agrees to their wishes without hesitation. Also, Polonius goes into an extended monologue in which he gives Laertes advice for his school life. It seems however that this advice could have well been intended not just for Laertes but also for the audience. He gives his son a collection of short tips, which will help anyone to live life a little more easily. It seems Shakespeare intended to impart a little wisdom on the playgoers without them possibly knowing it.

Scene 4
This scene of Act 1 seems to be merely a transition into the next and most important scene of Act 1. However Scene 4 does open some important ideas that are pivotal in the story. One point emphasizes Hamlet's contempt of the new King and his entire court. When the men hear trumpets and cannon fire, they learn from Hamlet their meaning. Hamlet's descriptions of what is happening in the useless party sums up his feelings for his uncle. To act with such revelry just because he is king is completely shameful and Hamlet makes no attempt to hide these feelings. We sense the deep seeded hatred Hamlet has for the new king. The most pivotal point comes to light after the ghost appears when the prince is deciding whether or not to follow it. The three men have no true way of knowing if the spirit really is the passed King Hamlet or a demon in disguise. The fact that it really is impossible to completely trust the ghost will be a hinging point for the rest of the story.

Scene 5
This scene is the most important of the act and one of the most important of the entire play. This is because it sets into motion all the sequence of events for the rest of the story. When the apparition reveals that it was Claudius who murdered the king it confirms all the audience's suspicions of the new king being the villain of the play. While it was rumored in the kingdom that the king was killed by snakebite, that is obviously untrue. When the ghost calls Claudius the snake that killed him, it hints back to the story of the Garden of Eden. That is that serpents are the roots of all evil, and Claudius is certainly vile enough to be likened to the mysterious creatures. The ghost's plea for his son to take revenge for his death is the perfect suspenseful beat to end the first act of the play. It lays the main plot line for the remainder of the play. While it seems to seal the fate of the story, the expertise of the playwright leaves just enough in question in order to keep the audience's eyes glued to the events on stage.