Act 1
What had Bernardo seen at a prior watch?
King Hamlets ghost
Why does The King bring Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the castle?
To spy on Hamlet and report to the King.
Why does Claudius decide to send Hamlet to England?
He believes that Hamlet is dangerous
In the beginning of this scene, what does Gertrude tell Claudius?
that Hamlet killed Polonius and that his madness is a threat.
When Hamlet strikes through the curtain, he thinks he is killing
Claudius
Why does Claudius say he has mixed feelings of sadness and happiness about marrying Gertrude?
Claudius has mixed feelings because he married his dead brother's wife, as well as take his crown. But he is also sad because his brother is dead. though he likes what he reaped out of his death.
In Scene 2, what's the reason for Hamlet's madness?
His foiled love for Ophelia
What message do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern carry to the king?
Hamlet wants to put on a play.
For what purpose is Fortinbras in Denmark?
To invade Poland, he wants to move his troops across Denmark.
Who is sent to follow Ophelia?
Horatio is sent to follower her.
What advice does Polonius share with Laertes before he leaves? Where is he going?
Don't say what you're thinking, listen to many talk to few, don't buy flashy clothes, don't lend/ borrow money, be true to yourself. He is going to France.
In the end of Act II, Hamlet reveals his plan for testing Claudius's guilt. Why would Shakespeare make him use a theatrical performance for this purpose?
Shakespeare believes that an acting scene may create emotion to the audience, therefore Claudius may react in a way that proves it was him.
What question is Hamlet considering when he first appears in this act? What, according to Hamlet, is "a consummation/ devoutly to be wish'd?
Is it worth it to live? ("to be or not to be, that is the question.") he wishes for a peaceful sleep
What does Hamlet claim to have done with the corpse?
The body's with the king, but the king's not with the body.
How does Ophelia die?
She falls off a tree & drowns in the river
How did Ophelia react to her father's reaction? What does this tell us about her personality?
She tries to make him happy by just agreeing with him in that moment. She's passive and obedient, naive as well.
What's the first thing Hamlet says after he realizes and states he is alone?
He gets down on himself for not taking action already.
What was the King's reaction to the play, and what does it mean?
The king stopped the play at the poisoning. This means that the ghost was right--he did kill his brother.
What drives Laertes to want revenge? (two things)
His father's death and his sister's madness (caused by Pololnuis death)
Hamlet makes the allusion to Hyperion in order to:
Compare King Hamlet, his father, to Hyperion, to the God of light
How does Marcellus and Horatio's views at the end of the scene differ?
Marcellus wants to follow him while Horatio thinks it's just Hamlet's imagination and to let God take care of it.
Polonius interprets First Players speech by saying "This is too long". It resumes whom does the speaker describe as "mobbled"?
The Queen
Why does Hamlet demand that Guildenstern play the instrument? What point does Hamlet want to make to Guildenstern?
He wants Guildenstern to make a fool of himself, just as Guildenstern tried to make a fool out of Hamlet. Hamlet says "Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?"
What backup measure does Claudius suggest?
A poison of Hamlet's wine which he would drink during the match.
This character swoons during the fencing match
Gertrude