Characters
This Prince of Denmark is famously melancholy.
Who is Hamlet?
This theme is seen when Hamlet swears on his sword to avenge his father, and in the moral conflict surrounding Claudius's prayer.
What is the theme of religion, honor, and revenge?
Bernardo and Marcellus see this figure on Elsinor's ramparts.
What is the ghost of Hamlet's father?
Hamlet pretends to be insane, doing this while Polonius speaks to him.
What is reading a book?
While Hamlet speaks harshly to Ophelia, he tells her to go to this place.
What is a nunnery?
Hamlet's uncle and stepfather, and the King of Denmark.
Who is Claudius?
This theme is evident when Claudius pretends to be a caring king, and when Hamlet feigns madness.
What is the theme of appearance vs. reality?
Hamlet expresses his feelings about this occurrence in the lines, "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt... / Frailty, thy name is woman!"
What is Gertrude's marriage to Claudius?
This is Hamlet's purpose in saying to Polonius, "you are a fishmonger?"
What is feigning madness?
Hamlet kills this character, believing him to be Claudius, behind the arras.
Who is Polonius?
The Lord Chamberlain, and the father of Laertes and Ophelia.
Who is Polonius?
This theme is illustrated by Claudius's actions against father and the final scene of the play.
What is the theme of poison, corruption, and death?
Polonius gives this character advice before he departs for France, including "neither a borrower nor a lender be."
Who is Laertes?
Hamlet's plan to use "The Mousetrap" is a demonstration of his desire for this.
What is proof of Claudius' guilt?
Hamlet delivers his famous soliloquy that begins, "To be, or not to be..." contemplating this.
What is life and death?
Hamlet's loyal friend and confidant, an outsider, and the voice of reason in Hamlet's madness.
Who is Horatio?
This theme is central to Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy.
What is the theme of action vs. inaction?
Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo swear this, after witnessing the ghost
What is secrecy?
Hamlet's line, "were you not sent for?" reveals this about Hamlet's state of mind.
What is suspicious?
Hamlet forces Gertrude to look at these two pictures, to show the difference between his father and Claudius.
What is the portrait of the two kings?
The prince of Norway, who ultimately takes the throne of Denmark at the end of the play.
Who is Fortinbras?
This theme is explored in Hamlet's harsh words to Gertrude.
What is the theme of women?
The ghost describes the manner of his murder, saying that he was poisoned in this way.
What is through the ear?
The theme of appearance versus reality is apparent by the use of this word in the line, "O God, that one should smile, and smile, and be a _____!"
What is a villain?
Gertrude's reaction to Hamlet's confrontation in her closet is characterized this way.
What are shock and fear?