| what is the great chain of being, and how does its ranking system work? | – God- Angels- sheraphim- cherubim- dominions- thrones- powers- archangels- Angels |
| what do you learn about the play’s setting within the first scene? | – there is an ominous feeling in Denmark- the Danish are patriotic people |
| what does the ghost want Hamlet to do? | – to get revenge for his fathers death |
| why does Hamlet make Horatio and Marcellus swear on the sword? | – swords = strength- by swearing on the sword, Hamlet is taking up the mantle of his father |
| how do both King Hamlet and Claudis serve as inspiration for Mufasa and Scar in The Lion King? | – Claudius has wit and being crafty with words like Scar- King Hamlet has strength like Mufasa |
| how does Shakesphere use speech to characterize Ophelia? | – her speech is short and uses phrases of obedience- characterization shows that she’s one of the plays more submissive characters |
| what is Polonius’ plan for Reynaldo and Laertes? | – Polonious sends Reynaldo to France to spread rumors about his son- purpose is finding out whether Laertes is involved in any vices |
| how does the play use Polonius to criticize wit? | – Polonious spends most the play using his words and can be perceived as an oafish character- the scene with Reynaldo shows that Polonious is crafty like Claudius is |
| who is Hecuba, and what effect does she have on Hamlet? | – Hebcua = character from Aeneid – players recite speech from a play about Hebcua which moves both the lead players and Hamlet to tears |
| how does Shakespeare use speech to characterize Polonius? | – Polonious talks a lot and doesn’t realize he’s being rude or making a fool of himself |
| what is Hamlet debating in the “To be or not to be” soliloquy? | If he should kill himself or not |
| how does Hamlet use the metaphors of slings and arrows, sleep, undiscovered countries and travelers in his “To Be or Not to Be” speech? | – slings and arrows: pains of life – sleep: relief from life/death- undiscovered countries: death is like a place where no one has gone – travelers: human beings, they travel into “death” but never come back |
| which conclusion about suicide does Hamlet come to in “To Be or Not to Be” | – It’s braver to go out into the unknown of death than it is to keep suffering in life |
| why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudis? | – Hamlet wants Claudius to go to hell and since Claudius is praying he’s afraid he will go to heaven |
| who does Claudius compare himself to as he prays? | – Cain |
| how does Claudius conclude his speech and why does he conclude it that way? | – “My words fly up my thoughts remain below. Words without thought never go to heaven- Claudius end his prayer this way because even though his words go up to heaven in prayer, his thoughts and interiors remain so they aren’t doing him any good |
| who does Hamlet kill in act III and why does he kill him? | – Hamlet kills Polonious – he hears somebody hiding beaned his mother’s arras and thinks it Claudius |
| why is it singificant that Gertrude calls Hamlet’s deed rash and bloody? | – shows that there’s a negative side to taking action right away |
| what significance do worms, fish and sponges play in act IV? | – Hamlet uses them to show that all creation is equalized by death |
| what does agency mean? give an example of someone with agency | – agency = having control over oneself – Ophelia could possess agency when she decides to kill herself because that her decision and no one else’s |
| what does Ophelia do when she’s mad, and why does she do it? | – gives the other characters flowers so that she can list her grievances with them |
| how does Ophelia die and what is significant about the description of her death? | – she drowns herself in a pond- symbolizes her re-birth and shows her changing from a character who is controlled to a character who has control over her own life |
| what is significant about the “Alas Poor Yorick” speech? | – Hamlet talks again about how people are equalized by death but is touched by the memory of his old jester- could be a catalysts for Hamlet finally committing to taking action because his memory of Yorick spurs him to see that one of life’s purposes to is leave effects on others |
| what is significant about the allusion to Alexander the Great? | – Hamlet talks about how all people are equal in death- Alexander dies and turns to dust |
| how does Hamlet die? | – Laertes’ sword |
| how does laertes die? | – Hamlet’s sword |
| how does claduis die? | – death by Hamlet’s sword and poison cup |
| how does gertrude die? | – drinks out of poison cup herself |
| how/why does Shakespeare intend his audience to compare Hamlet to Prince Fortinbras? | – Shakesphere make this comparison to show what Hamlet could’ve done if he took actions earner |
English: Hamlet
October 3, 2019