Kronborg Castle, Helsingør, Denmark

Kronborg castle is the setting for Shakespeare's play Hamlet. When we visited, we knew this fact, but we had no idea that actors would be present, depicting scenes from the play.

The central courtyard of the castle above and the schedule of scenes listed throughout the day below. What a bonus!

Below we meet the characters Polonius, the pompous Lord Chamberlain, and his daughter Ophelia.

Ophelia below with whom she hopes to be her future mother-in-law, Gertrude the Queen.

Kronburg did serve as a defensive castle protecting a major trade route between Denmark and Sweden. 

Below, Sweden is easily visible only a few miles across the sound. Interesting history occurred here, which includes American involvement. 

Hamlet enjoying the antics of the foolish courtier Osric. This is the character who gathered visitors for upcoming scenes in nearby room or courtyards.

Hamlet begins to pretend he is going mad to cover for his plans to avenge his father's death. His father's ghost has told Hamlet that his brother Claudius murdered him. Claudius now has the throne and has married Hamlet's mother Gertrude.

Polonius, however, suggests to Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet is madly in love with his daughter Ophelia, that this is the reason for his odd behavior.

Hamlet continues his feigned madness with the famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy. 

Ophelia actually does go mad after Hamlet's rejection. She dies of drowning.

Hamlet contemplates killing his Uncle Claudius while he is praying but thinks better of it.

Hamlet confronts his mother Gertrude to no avail. 

In the final act, Laertes returns from abroad to avenge his sister Ophelia's death and his father Polonius's death (Hamlet accidentally killed him). In the end everyone is dead including Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet--a true tragedy.

As we depart, we notice Ophelia's hand in the moat. The brooding sky behind Kronborg castle completes the somber mood of the tragedy of Hamlet.