The play "Hamlet" was written by William Shakespeare. It is one of his most famous works, composed around 1600, and is a tragedy that explores themes of revenge, madness, and existentialism. The story follows Prince Hamlet as he grapples with the murder of his father by his uncle, Claudius, who then takes the throne and marries Hamlet's mother. Shakespeare's intricate character development and profound soliloquies, such as "To be, or not to be," have made "Hamlet" a timeless and significant work in English literature, studied and performed worldwide.