| Who are the first characters we meet? | Barnardo, Francisco |
| What is the story of King Hamlet as told by Horatio? | told he was a good person |
| What is Polonius’ advice to Laertes? | be true to urself; dont dress in a gawdy way |
| How did King Hamlet die? | King Hamlet’s brother, Claudius pours poison in his ear |
| What does Hamlet make the others promise? | He makes them swear not to reveal that he is acting crazy. |
| Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Why have they come to Elsinore? | Hamlet’s “friends” from school. Polonius and Claudius has sent for them |
| Who is spying on Hamlet and Ophelia? | Polonius and Claudius |
| What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to the King? Is this accurate? | Hamlet is distracted and acting strangely |
| What is the King’s reaction to the play? | Shocked |
| What is Claudius’ first plan to get rid of Hamlet? | Send him to England and killed |
| What is the tone of Hamlet’s conversation with his mother? | Aggressive because she married the man who killed his father |
| What does he try to convince Gertrude of? | That he’s not crazy and that Claudius killed King Hamlet |
| What does Gertrude do immediately after the bedroom conversation? Does this reveal whether or not she believes Hamlet? | Tell Claudius. Doesn’t believe him |
| What is King Claudius’ reaction? | Shocked |
| What does Hamlet compare Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to? | As sponges. Follow the King’s orders unwaveringly. |
| What does Hamlet say about worms in this scene? | No matter your position, the worms will eat you anyways |
| What effect does this have on Hamlet? | Saddened at seeing an enemy attack over an unimportant land |
| Summarize each of Ophelia’s songs. What is her concern? What are some reasons for her losing her mind? Why couldn’t she express these concerns in a more rational matter? | Hamlet was a handsome and noble and Claudius is a murderer. Hamlet was without sin. |
| What does Hamlet say about his trip to England in his letter to Horatio? | Intercepted by pirates and jumps onto their ship as escape. Promises to reward |
| What plan do Laertes and Claudius concoct? | Laertes and Hamlet duel. |
| Who was Yorick? | Yorick was the court jester when Hamlet was a child |
| Why can’t Ophelia have a more noble burial? | It was a suicide |
| Summarize the events of the duel. | Gertrude drinks the poisoned drink. Laertes is slain. Claudius is killed |
| What is the significance of Hamlet’s last speech? What is his last line? | Horatio to stay alive, Fortinbras to be the new king |
Hamlet Reading Questions
August 5, 2019