Act I
Who is Denmark's current king?
Claudius.
Polonius sends Reynaldo to see how Laertes is doing; why?
To spy on him, make sure that he is behaving.
Why does Hamlet get sent to England by Claudius?
Claudius thought that he was too much of a threat to stay in Denmark.
What is the reasoning for Opehlia's madness?
Her father's death.
Whos grave are the men digging?
Ophelia.
What kind of connection does the new king have with Hamlet?
Claudius is Hamlet's Uncle.
What does Hamlet describe Denmark as to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
A prison.
During the play, what does Hamlet ask Horatio to do?
Watch Claudius - see his guilt
In Claudius' letters to the King of England, what does he say?
to kill Hamlet right away.
How did the queen die?
She drank the poisoned wine that was meant for Hamlet.
In regard to Hamlet, what does Polonius tell his daughter that she's no longer able to do?
Ophelia is not able to keep in contact with Hamlet.
What plan does Polonius want to go forth with to determine Hamlet's insanity in love?
Put Ophelia and Hamlet together to listen to their conversation.
What reaction is Hamlet hoping for from Claudius when he sees the play? Why?
Guilty - he is hoping the king gets nervous. This will help him reveal if he really did kill old King Hamlet.
What news does the queen bring to Claudius and Laertes?
That Ophelia has killed herself. She has drowned.
What reason does Laertes get from Hamlet for killing Polonius?
That it was not him, it was his madness.
What does the ghost reveal about his death? Two reasons.
1. That he was the old king of Denmark
2. Murdered by poison from his brother (current king of Denmark)
In what way does Hamlet plan to reveal Claudius through the play?
To determine if Claudius is guilty, he makes the players reenact a scene that is similar to the murder of his father.
When the prince is talking to his mother, who makes an appearance to Hamlet? And, why?
The Ghost. To remind Hamlet to not hurt his mother.
How does Claudius and Laertes intend to murder Hamlet?
A sharp, poisoned sword during a fencing match.
How does the poisoned sword end up striking both Laertes and Hamlet?
Laertes is injured by his own poisoned sword after he and Hamlet exchange swords in some way during the fight.