Vocabulary
About the play
That's what he (or she) said
Who's who?
Vocabulary cont...
100
"...that this portentous figure/ Comes armed through our watch" Portentous a. spiteful b. open to more than one interpretation c. Full of specifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe
What is c - full of specifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe
100
Rozencrantz and Guildenstern have been brought to the castle in order to ...
What is spy on Hamlet and report back to the king
100
"The time is out of joint; O cursed spite,/ That ever I was born to set it right!"
Context The ghost has revealed the truth of his murder. Hamlet has asked that Joratio and Marcellus swear an oath of secrecy. The ghost requested the Hamlet revenge his murder. Significance Hamlet has agreed to the ghost's request and these lines support the central themes of revenge and honor. Foreshadows the events to come where Hamlet will confront Claudius
100
Is killed by Hamlet in his mother's bedroom
Who is Polonius
100
"But you must know your father lost a father. / That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound in filial obligation for some term." filial a. deadly; destructive b. rashly or wastefully extravagant c. the relationship of child or offspring to parent
What is c - the relationship of child or offspring to parent
200
"...'tis a knavish piece of/ work, but what o' that?" knavish a. unprincipled b. harmful or corrupting influence c. blended
What is a - unprincipled
200
The purpose of the grave diggers is
What is comic relief
200
"The lady protests too much, methinks"
Context The play within the play has begun and the queen has just witnessed the part that focuses on the faithfulness between husband and wife. Hamlet has just asked his mother her thoughts on what she has seen. Significance Hamlet's "trap" for his mother does not seem to have worked, Or, perhaps Gertrude has recognized her situation and is down-playing the reality of it.
200
Leads an army to invade Poland
Who is Fortinbras
200
"it is common for the younger sort / To lack discretion." discretion a. ability or power to decide responsibility b. to plan with cleverness or ingenuity c. a model of excellence or perfection of a kind
What is a - ability or power to decide responsibility
300
"...O my dear Gertrude, this,/ Like to a murdering piece in many places/ Gives me a superfluous death. Superfluous a. A reply to an answer; a rejoinder b. Being beyond what is required or sufficient c. assembly
What is b - being beyond what is required or sufficient
300
Fortinbras is leading his army to ...
What is Poland
300
"Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth:/ And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, / With windlasses and with assays of bias,/ By indirection find directions out."
Context Polonius is sending Reynaldo to Paris to deliver money to Laertes. However, he wants Reynaldo to spy on his son Significance Polonius wants Reynaldo to lie to Laertes in order to bait him in a trap. Polonius wants to catch his son in breaking the precepts set out for his behavior. His own son is subject to his devious behavior
300
Plots to have Hamlet killed by the King of England
Who is Claudius
300
"And I beseech you instantly to visit / My too much changed son" beseech a. to inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on b. implore; to address an earnest or urgent request c. to plan with cleverness or ingenuity
What is b - implore; to address an earnest or urgent request.
400
"So shall you hear/ Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts," carnal a. of or relating to the body or flesh; bodily b. high praise c. lowest or bottom part
What is a - of or relating to the body or flesh; bodily
400
The reason Hamlet does not kill Claudius when he finds him alone after the play
What is Claudius is praying and Hamlet does not want to kill him while his sins are absolved. He wants to kill during some sinful act.
400
"I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brother/ Could not, with all their quantity of of love,/ Make up my sum."
Context Hamlet has just learned of Ophelia's death. He has leapt into her grave after Laertes and has begun to grapple with him. Significance Although Hamlet has said in the past that he did not love Ophelia, here he proclaims his love for her; a love even greater than what her brother had for her. The argument and brawl in the grave raises the stakes for their final confrontation
400
Jumps in a grave to mourn Ophelia
Who is Hamlet and Laertes
400
"But in my terms of honor / I stand aloof and will no reconcilement" a. difficult to work with b. infuence or effect by a supernatural power c. distant physically or emotionally
What is c - distant physically or emotionally
500
"The appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony" appurtenance a. A model of excellence o perfection of kind b. to address an earnest or urgent request to; implore c. something added to another, more important thing; an appendage
What is c - something added to another, more important thing; an appendage
500
The name of the play within the play (what it is actually called and what Hamlet calls it)
What is "The Murder of Gonzago" and "The Mousetrap"
500
"How all occasions do inform against me, / and spur my dull revenge"
Context Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern are about to leave for England when they encounter Fortinbras and his army. Hamlet learns of the many soldiers who have died for their country. Significance Hamlet is moved by the fortitude of the soldiers, yet ashamed of his own inability to take action for his own country.
500
Is killed by the King of England
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
500
"O most pernicious woman / O villain, villain, smiling damned villain" pernicious a. spiteful b. deadly; destructive c. rashly or wastefully extravagant
What is b - deadly; destructive
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