Isn't It Ironic
This is a literary technique by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.
What is Irony?
Which literary device is used in Hamlet's first line to Claudius, “ Not so, my lord; I am too much i' the sun”?
What is a pun or verbal irony?
He is the King of Denmark.
Who is Claudius?
In what 4 ways does Shakespear use audience to convey meaning?
What is Dialogue, Aside, Soliloquy, or Monologue
Laertes came up with this plan to kill Hamlet.
What is to poison him?
What is Ironic about Claudius sending Hamlet to England for safety?
What is he plans to have him executed when he arrives.
What is Hamlet suggesting about Polonius, and his morality, when he refers to him as a “fishmonger” in Act 2, scene 2?
What is he is like a pimp who is willing to marry off his daughter to the wealthiest man and use her for his purposes.
Dies by drinking poison.
Who is Gertrude?
The structure of much of the language in Hamlet follows a pattern that stage actors describe as natural as a heartbeat. What is the 10 beats-per-line (with an emphasis on every second beat) pattern called?
What is iambic pentameter?
This person helps Hamlet keep an eye on Claudius during the play.
Who is Horatio?
Which deaths are the most ironic?
Laertes, Gertrude, & Claudius - all killed by the poison intended for Hamlet
Why should Ophelia have never believed Hamlet, according to him?
"You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock, but we shall relish of it."
What is that he loved her because he comes from a "bad stock", so he is bound to have some lying traits [like his mother and uncle do].
He was King Hamlet's jester.
Who is Yorick?
This technique allows characters to function like a mirror to each other to reveal hidden flaws.
What is a foil?
What is the difference between the way women and men die within the play?
Women: self-inflicted
Men: violently attacked
Double Jeopardy!
What is ironic about the fact that Hamlet killed Polonius?
He only intended to kill Claudius, and frowns upon acts of violence that do not have merit.
"That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty."
What is Hamlet suggesting here?
Ophelia may be fair [beautiful] but she is not fair [honest].
He is the prince of Norway.
Who is Fortinbras?
Double Jeopardy!
An example of this is, Hamlet and Horatio knowing that Claudius killed Old Hamlet.
What is dramatic irony?
When in the play is the first and last time Gertude disobeys Claudius?
What is when Claudius asks her not to drink from the poisoned cup.
What is ironic about who spoke this quote: Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me, you would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart of my mystery…do you think I am easier to be played upon than a pipe? (Act III, scene ii)?
Hamlet is commenting on R & G playing him like a flute, but Hamlet is playing everyone else. Or is he?
Double Jeopardy! What is significant about this line from Laertes?
"It is here, Hamlet. Thou art slain. No med'cine in the world an do thee good. In thee there is not half an hour's life."
His life [and thus is sanity] is passed the point of saving, he is just as dead metaphorically as he is physically. All of his loved ones are dead, he is fully maddened, there is nothing left that is good for him.
Name the traditional fool in this play.
The Gravediggers
Signifies the opposite of its intended meaning.
What is irony?
Who is alive at the end of the play? What is significant about this?
Who is Fortinbras and Horatio?