Where is Elsinore in Act I, Scene 1? | Denmark |
What time of day is it when the play starts? | Late at night |
At the start of the play, what are Francisco and Bernardo doing? | They are on watch. |
Who does the ghost look like? | The king who just died |
How many times does the ghost appear in Act I, Scene I? | Twice |
What country did the late king go to battle against? | Norway |
Why does Marcellus bring Horatio to talk to Francisco and Bernardo? | To confirm what they have seen |
The ghost appears to Horatio and his companions, but something scares it, causing it to disappear. What is it? | A cock crows. |
After the ghost disappears, what does Bernardo say about the ghost’s behavior? | It looks like it wants to speak. |
At the end of Act I, Scene I, what does Horatio say he intends to do? | Tell Prince Hamlet about the ghost |
Who is Horatio? | Hamlet’s friend |
What is the weather like at the beginning of the play? | Very cold |
Act I, Scene 2, what two events does Claudius describe? | His brother’s death and his own marriage to Gertrude |
What is the Prince of Norway’s name? | Fortinbras |
Who is Claudius? | Hamlet’s uncle and the new king |
What is Hamlet’s mother’s name? | Gertrude |
To which two characters is Laertes related? | Polonius and Ophelia |
When the audience first sees Claudius, he gives a speech about the current situation in Denmark and then speaks to Hamlet about his behavior. What does Claudius say to Hamlet at this early point in the play? | He is too sad. |
During his first soliloquy, what does Hamlet say about his mother? | She forgot his father too quickly. |
Before Hamlet hears about the ghost, how does he feel about Claudius? | He does not trust him. |
How does Horatio describe the ghost to Hamlet? | More sad than angry |
What does Hamlet say when he first hears about the ghost? | He wants to talk to it. |
Before he has seen the ghost, how does Hamlet describe his parents’ marriage? | His mother was devoted to his father. |
Early in the play, to what country does Claudius send messages? | Norway |
Who is Ophelia? | Daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes |
With whom is Ophelia in love? | Hamlet |
Before he returns to school, what does Laertes tell Ophelia about her boyfriend? | As a prince, Hamlet may not get to choose whom he marries. |
What does Polonius tell Laertes about borrowing money? | Do not borrow or lend money. |
What does Polonius say is the most important thing for Laertes to remember as he leaves Elsinore? | Be true to yourself. |
After Laertes has left in Act I, Scene iii, Polonius talks to Ophelia about her romance. What does Polonius tell her? | Do not trust his promises of love. |
In Act I, Scene iii, what does Polonius ask Ophelia to do about Hamlet? | Stay away from him. |
In Act I, Scene iii, where is Laertes going? | Back to college |
What does Ophelia tell Laertes about his advice concerning her love life? | Make sure you follow your own advice. |
Polonius gives Laertes plenty of advice before Laertes leaves Elsinore. What does Polonius tell Laertes about talking and listening to people? | Listen to people, but do not talk very much. |
When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends? | Keep your good friends close to you. |
In Act I, Scene iii, before Laertes leaves Elsinore, Polonius gives him advice about clothes. What does Polonius say? | Get costly, but not showy or ostentatious clothes. |
Where does Act I, Scene iv take place? | On the platform |
What time of day is it in Act I, Scene iv? | After midnight |
As Hamlet and the others wait to see the ghost in Act I, Scene iv, what do they hear in the distance? | Trumpets being blown and ordinance being fired |
What is the king doing Act I, Scene iv? | Drinking and celebrating |
As they wait for the ghost, Hamlet describes the king’s nightly tradition. What does Hamlet think about this tradition? | It makes the Danes look bad to other countries. |
How does Hamlet react when he sees the ghost for the first time? | He is startled but tries to talk about it. |
When Hamlet first sees the ghost, what does he call it? | King, father, royal Dane |
What does the ghost do to Hamlet in Act I, Scene iv? | Beckons him to follow him |
When Hamlet and his friends first see the ghost, what do Hamlet’s friends tell him to do? | Do not go with the ghost. |
Does Hamlet think the ghost can harm him? | No |
What does Horatio say the ghost might do to Hamlet? | Drive him crazy |
Once Hamlet follows the ghost, what do Hamlet’s friends decide to do? | Follow Hamlet and the ghost |
Who does the ghost claim to be? | Hamlet’s father |
When the ghost first speaks to Hamlet, how does it describe its experience? | It walks at night and is tortured by day. |
What shocking news does the ghost deliver to Hamlet in Act I, Scene v? | Claudius killed Hamlet’s father. |
What is the public explanation of the last king’s death? | He was stung by a serpent. |
What is the real reason for the last king’s death? | Poison poured in his ear |
What other “crime” has been committed against the last king? | Claudius seduced his wife. |
During their first conversation, what does the ghost tell Hamlet about his mother? | Do not blame her for what happened. |
In Act I, Scene v, what does the ghost ask Hamlet to do? | Get revenge |
What does Hamlet tell his friends about his meeting with the ghost? | He tells them nothing. |
After his first meeting with the ghost, what does Hamlet ask his friends to do? | Keep his secret |
At the end of the first act, what does Hamlet warn his friends he might do? | Pretend to be crazy |
Hamlet says, “The time is out of joint: O cursed spite/That ever I was born to set it right!” What does that mean? | He wishes he did not have to do the things he expects to do. |
Hamlet, Act I
July 13, 2019