Act I
Explain "the funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables"
the wedding between Gertrude and Claudius was very soon after Hamlet Sr.'s funeral
These two are called in by the King to spy on Hamlet.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
What does Hamlet repeat over and over again to Ophelia (it might be a compliment or an insult)
Get thee to a nunnery.
When telling Claudius that Polonius is dead, what simile does Gertrude use to describe Hamlet's state?
he's as mad as the sea and wind when they fight over which one is stronger
Who asks Hamlet to fight Laertes?
Osric
Two requests Horatio makes of the ghost (must have both correct)
1) if you know the country's fate, tell me
2) if you know treasure, tell me
Polonius wants to talk about Hamlet's lunacy, which means
insanity
What epic simile does Hamlet make about Guildenstern's actions?
Guildenstern is attempting to play Hamlet like an organ, but Hamlet won't speak.
There are three reasons why Ophelia might have gone mad. What are they? Include all three.
1) Polonius is dead
2) Hamlet was sent away
3) her brother is not there to comfort her
Hamlet says he defies augury, which is...
an omen or prophecy
What does Claudius say about Hamlet's grief, mind, and heart? Must get all 3 right for credit.
grief- unmanly
mind-impatient
heart- unfortified
What are at least three different stages of declension, according to Polonius?
sadness, fasting, insomnia, weakness, lightness, insanity
Hamlet talks about:
-pangs of despised love
-law's delay
-insolence of office.
Explain why he brings up each.
1) Ophelia doesn't love him
2) law's delay in finding out that Claudius is a murderer
3) disrespect of the new king
Hamlet says "A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm."
What does this mean? Why might he be saying it now? (answer both parts)
1) even a king might be eaten by a common man someday
2) trying to knock Claudius down
Summarize what Hamlet and Laertes say to each other before the fight.
Hamlet apologizes for the deaths of Polonius and Ophelia.
Laertes says he does not forgive Hamlet.
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
The Ghost has some sort of information that others are missing.
What does Hamlet ask of the players who come to see him? (2 parts)
1) perform Murder of Gonzago
2) insert additional lines
"You offended your father."
"You offended my father."
Explain who is speaking and what's happening here.
Gertrude says Hamlet offended Claudius.
Hamlet says Gertrude offended Claudius Sr.
What makes Hamlet say that he's focused on bloody thoughts or else he's nothing?
Hearing about Fortinbras being willing to sacrifice 20,000 men or to kill 20,000 men; Hamlet thinks Fortinbras is this bold over just pride, and Hamlet can't even avenge the death of his own father
Who says "I am killed by mine own treachery"? Why?
Laertes; he was killed by the sword he poisoned.
What are Hamlet's first lines of the play (you can summarize, say the line, or explain what it's about), and what does this tell us about him? (Hint: it's when Claudius is talking)
A little more than kin, and less than kind
relationship between Ham and Claudius is unnatural
dissatisfied by relationship
When talking to the players, Hamlet mentions Priam. We discover an important clue about who Priam is/what happened to him. Explain.
Priam was killed when he sought revenge for the death of his father.
Dead Hamlet appears to son Hamlet and says "This visitation is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose." Explain what this means
Dead Hamlet is appearing to encourage Hamlet Jr. to get on with the murder, since Hamlet Jr. seems to be dilly dallying.
How does Laertes respond to the death of Ophelia? (looking for one of two specific details...)
1) Ophelia had too much water, so I won't cry
2) When everyone else is gone, my woman will be out [he will cry, like a woman, in privacy]
Make a chronological list of the people who we learn die in Act V. (This is in the order they have died... NOT the order we find out in.)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Gertrude
King
Laertes
Hamlet