Hamlet Study Guide Act 1 with Answers

1.Identify Bernardo, Francisco, Marcellus, Horatio, and King Hamlet. Watchmen of Elsinore. Horatio is a friend of Hamlet’s. King Hamlet is the former king who is dead.
2.What had Bernardo seen at a prior watch? They believe they have seen King Hamlet’s ghost two nights previous.
3.Why does Marcellus think Horatio should speak to the ghost? Because he knew King Hamlet personally and he is more respected.
4.What does young Fortinbras want to do? Take back lands that were lost in the war King Hamlet led against Norway.
5. Who do the soldiers/guards want to tell about the ghost? Prince Hamlet
6. Ophelia’s brother Laertes
7. Where does Claudius send Cornelius and Voltimand? To Norway to make sure the King there knows what Fortinbras is up to.
8. What does the King tell Hamlet? That he needs to be done with mourning for his father, that the continual mourning makes him look weak.
10. What news does Horatio bring Hamlet? That his father’s ghost has been seen on the ramparts of the castle.
11. What does Hamlet decide to do after he hears Horatio’s news? He is going to keep watch with the guards and try to see the ghost.
12. What is Laertes’ advice to Ophelia? Hamlet is not the man for her because his life is not his own. He won’t be able to marry someone like her, but will have to marry royalty.
13. Who gives advice to Laertes including “to thine own self be true”? Polonius
14. At the end of Scene III, Ophelia agrees to “obey.” What will she do? Not see Hamlet.
9. Hamlet is upset for two reasons. What are they? His father’s death and his mother’s quick marriage to his uncle (her brother in law)
15. What does the ghost tell Hamlet? He was murdered by Claudius. Get revenge on him but not on Gertrude.
16. Hamlet swears Horatio to two things. What are they? Don’t tell anyone about the ghost, and no matter how Hamlet behaves, don’t say anything about it.
Who says: “But know, thou noble youth,The serpent that did sting thy father’s lifeNow wears his crown.” The Ghost
Who do Polonius and Laertes caution about a relationship with Prince Hamlet? Ophelia
King Hamlet’s brother Claudius
Married her husband’s brother within 2 months of his death. Gertrude
August 5, 2019