| What is the atmosphere in the first scene and how this atmosphere is created? | The atmosphere in the beginning is very tense and awkward, and also Hamlet it spreading anger. SuspensefulConfused |
| What advice does Claudius give to Hamlet about grief? | Claudius tells Hamlet that he can grieve for a certain period, but overdoing it is not manly and betrays god. He wants Hamlet to think of him as a father.”Tis unmanly grief” |
| What reasons would Hamlet have for feigning madness? | He wants to be left alone.”I am too much in the sun” = he is in the spot light |
| What is Hamlet’s personality like when he is with Horatio? | Hamlet is able to open up around Horatio, and explain how he feels. He is more upliftedComfortable |
| What is the effect of Laertes’ talk with Ophelia in scene 3? | Ophelia fights back a little, pretty much telling Laertes not to be hypocritical. Ophelia said she would consider their advice |
| What is the significance of Polonius’ advice to Laertes? | Polonius is giving Laertes advice that will keep that will allow him to survive on his own in the real world. Polonius tells him to be true to himself. |
| How does Polonius plans to “spy” on his son and what is his revealed about his character in the first scene? | Polonius spies on his son by getting Reynaldo to bad mouth him, to get the truth out. This reveals that he is not very trustworthy, or a very good father. |
| How would you describe the effect of Polonius’s rambling speech to Reynaldo in lines 50-67 and what is humorously ironic about Polonius saying, “Brevity is the soul of wit”? | Polonius is unable to ever get to the point, and this and the quote are ironic because the quote is pretty much saying that it is good to be sweet and short. Doesn’t make much senseWhen his mind is made up, you can’t change it. |
| How could you describe and account for Hamlet’s behavior to Ophelia as she reports it to Polonius in scene one? What is Polonius’s conclusion about Hamlet? | Hamlet is in a bad state of mind right now, and wants Ophelia to be with him and help him. This leads Polonius to believe that Hamlet is “love sick”. |
| Explain the reason for the arrival of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern at the Danish court. What is Hamlet’s attitude towards them? | Claudius brings Rosencratz and Guildenstern to the Danish court to have them spy on Hamlet. |
| What is the report from Norway? Why is Fortinbras mentioned again? | Fortinbras had planned on attacking Claudius, taking advantage of the sick king. The king, though, shut this down. Fortinbras then asks for permission to allow his troops to pass through the kingdom to invade Poland. |
| How does Hamlet react to the arrival of the Players? | Hamlet is overjoyed to see his old friends. |
| How does Hamlet’s soliloquy at the end of scene two contribute to the plot, characterization, and atmosphere of the play? | Hamlet’s soliloquy at the end describes how Hamlet is feeling, and what is going through his mind about his father. This leads Hamlet to decide to do something. |
| What causes Hamlet to exclaim, “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!”? | Does not feel like he belongs in the castle Feels like he is off on his own, but is a slave to the castle because he can’t leave because of his title. |
| With regard to Hamlet’s soliloquy “To be or not to be”, state the theme and summarize the content. | The theme of this quote is death. Hamlet is unsure if it was worth it to still exist or not. |
| Why is Hamlet so brutal to Ophelia; as far as the text reveals, is she guilty of the “womanly” sins of which Hamlet accuses her? | Hamlet is angry at his mother, and is taking all of his anger out on Ophelia. |
| What is the purpose of Ophelia’s remembrance of the former Hamlet? | Ophelia is being used as bait to spy on Hamlet, and see if he is mad because he is in love. |
| What is the dramatic importance of the play within the play? To what extent does it fulfill Hamlet’s purpose? | The actually play within Hamlet is “The Murder of Gonzago”.The plot expands more on the death of Hamlets father, and Hamlet wants to see how Claudius reacts. |
| How does Hamlet behave before the play begins? | Hamlet is very eager to see how the King will react. |
| Should Hamlet have killed the King at prayer at the end of scene three and why? | Yes, Hamlet should have killed the King, but believed that he was going to admit to what he did, and deal with the consequences. Hamlet is wrong, though, because we later learn that the King feels no guilt whatsoever. |
| Why does the Ghost reappear in scene four? | The ghost reappears to let Hamlet know not to kill his mother, because he is not sure if she had something to do with the murder. |
| What are the reasons for considering that the murder of Polonius is the turning point of the play? | Hamlet killed the wrong person, thinking Polonius was the king. Hamlet is also going to England right after completing this act. |
| How does Gertrude seek to shield Hamlet in this scene and why? | … |
| What are the details of the King’s plan in scene three? Why must Claudius not “put the strong arm on” Hamlet? | … |
| When Claudius asks Hamlet where Polonius is, what is Hamlet’s response? | … |
| Of what importance is the first appearance of Fortinbras? What points of comparison and contrast are suggested between him and Hamlet? | … |
| What is the content of the letters Claudius sends with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to England with Hamlet? | … |
| What dramatic purpose is served by the madness of Ophelia? What are the causes of Ophelia’s madness? | … |
| What reasons are given by Claudius for not bringing Hamlet to a public trial? What is the plan between Claudius and Laertes? | … |
| What news does Gertrude bring Laertes at the end of the Act? | … |
| How does Ophelia dominate scene one. | In scene one, Ophelia is being buried, even though there were many mixed feelings about giving her a proper burial, and she commited suicide, which was not acceptable as a Christian. This is fought over between the gravedigger and the king. |
| What fate has Hamlet contrived for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? To what extent is his action justified? | Hamlet took the note from the king, and sneakily ordered them to be killed as soon as they get to England, which we find out was done by Fortinbras at the end of the play. |
| Show that death dominates the last act. | Hamlet and Laertes: poison from swordGertrude: drank poison drink meant for HamletKing: Hamlet forcibly put poison in his mouth |
| How do the gravediggers provide comic relief? | The gravediggers sing songs, and are very literal, as that is what you have to do when your job is so very depressing. |
| How does the moral order triumph as the play ends? | When Hamlet finally killed the king, it feels as though things are back in order. |
| “Brevity is the soul of wit.” | Polonius rambles Not sure if you can trust himHamlet believes he is lying |
| “To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.” | Hamlet giving up hope that there are any honest beings leftHonesty is rare |
| “….The earth, seems to me a sterile promontory.” | Hamlet feels like he is on his own island, and is different than the rest, but is stuck there |
| “O, what a rogue and peasant slave…” | Hamlet is a slave to the castle |
| “The devil hath the power to assume a pleasing shape.” | Hamlet, has to make sure the ghost is his father and not the devil in disguise |
| “The play’s the things…wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.” | Hamlet using the play to validate claudius’ death |
| “Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all.” | Hamlet thinking how the afterlife could be worse |
| “We are arrant knaves all: believe none of us.” | Hamlet, talking about men in general, you cant trust anyone |
| “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” | Gertrude saying the lady in the play talks too much, not realizing it is mocking her |
| “Madness in great ones must not go unwatched.” | Claudius when he realizes that Hamlet knows he killed his fatherAfter the play within the play |
| “It’ll take the Ghost’s word for a thousand pound.” | Hamlet after he sees Claudius’ reaction to the play, and that he is guilty |
| “Let me be cruel, not unnatural.” | Hamlet talking about how he must use tough love because she is clueless |
| “Mother you have my father much offended.” | Hamlet tells his mom that he has offended his father by marrying Claudius |
| “I am essentially not in madness, but mad in craft.” | Hamlet revealing to audience that he is faking his madness (insanity)Wants claudius to feel on edge, good actor |
| “yet all that is I see.” | Gertrude after the play, witnesses Hamlet talking to the ghostHas never realized how naive she is, but she is innocent |
| “O, from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth.” | Hamlet, motivated by FortinbrasWhen Hamlet is on the boat and sees Fortinbras going to take over Hamlet finally commits |
| “Sweets to the sweet.” | Gertrude is placing flowers on Ophelias graveRepresents theme of guiltToo little too late |
| “…the readiness is all.” | Horatio to Hamlet, telling him not to fence against Laertes”Now or never” |
| “To what base uses we may return, Horatio.” | Hamlet to HoratioComplaining about cycle of lifeHow you’re treated on earth vs when you die |
Hamlet Test
August 30, 2019