The play is set at Elsinore Castle, (which is based on the real Kronborg Castle, Denmark.) The time period of the play is somewhat uncertain, but can be understood as mostly Renaissance, contemporary with Shakespeare's England.

That same night, Horatio and the sentinels see a Ghost that looks exactly like their late king, King Hamlet. The Ghost reacts to them, but doesn't speak. The men discuss a military buildup in Denmark in response to Fortinbras recruiting an army. Although Fortinbras's army is supposedly for use against Poland, they fear he may attack Denmark to get revenge for his father's death, and reclaim the land his father lost to King Hamlet. They wonder if the Ghost is an omen of disaster, and decide to tell Prince Hamlet about it.

The Ghost talks to Hamlet what? Hamlet could know something? He is to be or not to be? The play has the amazing advances, enjoy it.