The protagonist of Hamlet is Prince Hamlet of Denmark, son of the currently deceased King Hamlet, and nephew of King Claudius, his father's brother and successor. Claudius unexpectedly married King Hamlet's widow, Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, and took the throne for himself. Denmark has a long-status feud with neighbouring Norway, wherein King Hamlet slew King Fortinbras of Norway in a conflict a few years ago. Although Denmark defeated Norway and the Norwegian throne fell to King Fortinbras's infirm brother, Denmark fears that an invasion led through the useless Norwegian king's son, Prince Fortinbras, is imminent.