Hamlet – Act 1, Scene 2

Example of duplicity in Claudius’ speech Have we as ’twere with a defeared joy, With an auspicious and a drooping eye
Juxtapositioning in Claudius’ speech With mirth in funeral and dirge in marriage
How is Gertrude described by Claudius? Our sometimes sister, now our Queen, Th’ imperial jointress to this warlike state
How does Claudius describe Old Hamlet? Our most valiant brother
What does Laertes say he came to Denmark for? I came to Denmark to show my duty in your coronation
How does Claudius describe Hamlet? My cousin Hamlet and my son
What pun does Hamlet say as an aside? A little more than kin, and less than kind
What is the first question that Claudius asks Hamlet? How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
What is Gertrude’s attitude to death? Thou know’st ’tis common, all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity
What is Hamlet’s reaction to Gertrude’s belief that he is faking his grief? Seems madam? Nay it is; I know not “seems”
What pun relating to sun/son does Hamlet used? Not so, my lord; I am too much in the sun
What is the rhyming couplet used at the end of Hamlet’s first speech? But I have… that within which passes show – These but the trappings and the suits of woe
How does Claudius complement Hamlet’s grief? ‘Tis sweet… and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, to give these mourning duties to your father
How does Claudius invalidate Hamlet’s grief? You must know, your father lost a father; That father lost, lost his
Gender roles and grief To persever in obstinate condolement is a course of impious stubbornnes, ’tis unmanly grief
Which line best conveys Hamlet’s suicidal despair? O that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew”
Reference to the sixth commandment Or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon ‘gainst self-slaughter
How does Hamlet describe his father? So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr
How does Hamlet depict his mother’s lust? Why, she would hang on him as if increase of appetite had grown by what it fed on
How does Hamlet convey his father’s love of Gertrude? So loving to my mother that he might not between the winds of heaven visit her face too roughly
What phrase does Hamlet use to describe Gertrude? A beast … that wants discourse of reason would have mourned longer – married with my uncle
How does Hamlet highlight the difference between Claudius and Old Hamlet? My father’s brother, but no more like my father Than I to Hercules
How does Hamlet condemn his mother’s incest? O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets, it is not, nor it cannot come to good
What shows that Hamlet feels he must repress his emotions? Contains irony due to the silence of Old Hamlet’s ghost But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue
Why has Horatio returned from Wittenberg? A truant disposition good my lord / My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral
Why does Hamlet suggest that the speed of the wedding after the funeral was necessary? Thrift, thrift, Horatio. The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables
Where does Hamlet see his father My father – methinks I see my father… In my mind’s eye Horatio
How much are the guards armed? Hamlet: Armed you say?Marcellus and Barnardo: Armed my lordHamlet: From top to toe?Marcellus and Barnardo: My lord, from head to foot
How does Horatio describe Hamlet’s father’s countenance? A countenance more in sorrow than in anger
What conveys Hamlet’s desperation to speak to his father? If it assume… my noble father’s person I’ll speak to it though hell itself should gape and bid me hold my peace
When and where does Hamlet plan to meet Horatio and the guards? Upon the platform ‘twixt eleven and twelve I’ll visit you
What does Hamlet infer from the information given to him by Horatio? My father’s spirit – in arms – all is not well. I doubt some foul play… foul deeds will rise though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.