Characters
The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle, and the play’s antagonist.
Claudius
For what purpose is Fortinbras in Denmark
To invade
What happens to Hamlet on his way to England?
He is kidnapped by pirates.
Mad as the sea and wind when both contend which is the mightier
Simile
Claudius on Ophelia's madness: “O, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs all from her father’s death.”
Ophelia is grieving. She has gone crazy because of her father's death.
Polonius' daughter and love interest to Hamlet.
Ophelia
Who does Gertrude rush to see after Polonius is killed?
Claudius
What is likely the cause of Ophelia's madness?
Her father's murder and Hamlet's cruelty
"To be demanded of a sponge!"
Metaphor
Claudius: Laertes, was your father dear to you, Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart?
Laertes, did you really love your father, or are you just pretending to be sad?
Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the Prince at Wittenberg.
Horatio
What orders does Claudius send to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
That Hamlet be killed
What do Laertes and Claudius plan to do if Hamlet wins the duel?
Poison him with a cup of wine
"A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear."
Personification
"O, from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!"
"From now on, my thoughts will be focused on revenge, or they won't be worth anything!"
Ophelia's brother and narrative foil to Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
Laertes
What does Hamlet resolve to do after meeting Fortinbras?
Achieve his revenge.
How does Laertes's character differ from Hamlet's in their approach to revenge?
Laertes is quick to act on his emotions, seeking immediate revenge. Hamlet, however, has a tendency to overthink and delay his actions.
"To all that fortune, death, and danger dare."
Alliteration
"How stand I then, That have a father killed, a mother stained, Excitement of my reason and my blood, and let all sleep?"
"How can I just stand here when my father is dead, my mother is impure, and my emotions are all stirred up? How can I just let everything go on as if nothing is happening?"
The young Prince of Norway and narrative foil to Hamlet
Fortinbras
What role does Fortinbras play in Act 4?
He is a narrative foil to Hamlet
In Act 4, Scene 5, what does Ophelia hand out to the court members?
Flowers
CLAUDIUS: "By letters congruing to that effect, the present death of Hamlet. Do it, England."
Dramatic Irony
“A man may fish the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.”
a man can catch a fish that has eaten a worm, which in turn has fed on a decaying king.
Regardless of one's royal status, everyone eventually becomes part of the cycle of life and death.