In the 1580s, a couple living in Stratford, England had twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet, the male twin, died in 1596. About four years later, his father wrote a play called Hamlet, a name which is interchangeable with Hamnet, according to Stratford records. 

The first chapter introduces Hamnet and his world. Hamnet is a clever, curious boy who lives with his mother and two sisters in a house that adjoins his grandparents’ home. His grandfather owns a glove workshop, and his father works in London where Hamnet has never been. At the beginning of the novel, Hamnet searches for the adults in his household in order to tell them that his twin sister, Judith, is sick.

In the main house, he finds his grandfather, John, in a private moment, drinking. John drinks alone ever since he was disgraced and lost his former high standing in the town. John lashes out at Hamnet, striking him below the eyebrow with the rim of a cup.

Hamnet goes upstairs to see his twin sister Judith, who is sick in bed with what appear to be “a pair of quail’s eggs” under her skin (15). He tells her that he will go to find the physician.