SARAH:  In the last scene we learned that King Hamlet has recently died, and that his ghost is appearing at night on the ramparts of the castle.

RALPH:  We also learned that Denmark seems to be preparing for war, and that Horatio still calls the king's son "Prince" Hamlet.

SARAH:  This tells us that his son Hamlet did NOT become king after his father's death.

RALPH:  Instead, King Hamlet’s brother Claudius has become King.  In this scene the new King Claudius is getting ready to speak to his assembled court. He wants to reassure them that he’ll be a strong leader...

SARAH:  But he’s also announcing that he’s married Queen Gertrude, his dead brother’s wife, and yes, that’s right, Prince Hamlet’s mother.