Characters
The name of Gertrude's new husband.
Who is Claudius
The city and country that the play is set in.
What is Elsinore, Denmark?
What is Laertes' advice to his sister?
Not to fall for Hamlet’s sweet talk because he’s a servant of the country and will have to marry whomever best fits his role as Prince of Denmark, and that woman will not be Ophelia. He’s worried that Ophelia will be sexually used by Hamlet and then dumped.
What do most people think killed King Hamlet?
Everyone’s been told that he was bitten by a snake while he was napping in his orchard.
"A little more than kin and less than kind"
Hamlet about Claudius.
Write down four bits of wisdom Polonius wants Laertes to remember as he faces the world.
1. Don’t always say what you’re thinking. 2. Don’t act on unwise thoughts. 3. Be friendly to people, but don’t be overly friendly/obnoxious. 4. Once a friend has proven himself loyal to you, keep him close and value that rare friendship. 5. Don’t waste your time shaking hands and trying to befriend every new person you meet. 6. Try to avoid being in a fight, but once you’re in a fight you need to be intimidating. 7. Listen to many people, but don’t be the one to talk so much. 8. Hear everyone’s opinion, but reserve your own judgment. 9. Spend all you can afford on clothes, but buy quality items instead of being fashionable. Clothes make the man, especially in France, where you’re going. 10. Don’t borrow money and don’t lend it. When you lend money to a friend, you often lose the friendship as well as the money. If you borrow money, you’ll spend it in irresponsible ways. 11. Above all, be true to yourself
The method used to kill the king and who committed this crime?
Claudius (the actual snake) poured poison down King Hamlet's ear.
"Frailty, thy name is woman!"
Hamlet about Gertrude.
What is Claudius doing late at night while Hamlet looks for the ghost? Why is this offensive?
He is partying. King Hamlet just died. A show of disrespect.
What does the ghost want to have happen to Queen Gertrude? Why?
The ghost tells Hamlet not to take action against Gertrude and, instead, to let God be the judge of her actions.
"Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
For loan oft loses both itself and friend"
Polonius. Loans lose themselves and friendships.
How long has it been since King Hamlet died? How long has it been since Claudius married Gertrude?
He died less than two months ago and they married a month after the funeral
Why is Hamlet unafraid of the ghost?
He doesn’t really care if he lives or dies, so he figures there’s nothing to lose by following the ghost. He’s depressed and desperate. The ghost can’t hurt him anymore than he’s already hurting, he figures.
Why, do you suppose, Hamlet swears his friends to secrecy?
He doesn’t want to give Claudius any inkling that he knows the truth about the murder.
"That one may smile and smile and be a villain."
Hamlet about Claudius
This character is going to put on an antic disposition to fulfill his father's request. What is an antic disposition?
Who is Hamlet. “Antic” means “bizarre” or “grotesque.” So, Hamlet plans to begin acting strangely, possibly like he’s mentally ill. He’ll still be sane, but his mother and uncle won’t know how to handle him. This will give him time to plan his revenge.
Who says this and what does it mean: he says, “O that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into dew.”
Hamlet has begun to think about suicide as he grieves. He wishes he could evaporate and disappear.
Describe Ophelia's character
She is meek, obedient, will listen to her father Polonius.
Hamlet says, “O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right!” From this line, it’s clear that Hamlet believes in the idea of fate/destiny. How would such a belief affect Hamlet’s behaviors?
if Hamlet believes it’s his destiny to be the one to avenge his father’s death, then he would be able to act without hesitation.
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark"
Marcellus. In general, it means that something’s not right and someone’s probably planning/plotting something sinister