Vocabulary
Scene 5.1 (1-68)
Scene 5.1 (224-319)
Scene 5.1 (224-319) (2)
Scene 5.1 (224-319) (3)
100
Quick (n.) is defined as... (A) Fast and swift. (B) Living persons. (C) Without fault. (D) Carried away.
Living persons.
100
Where does the beginning of the scene take place? How do you know?
o The beginning of the scene takes place in a graveyard. o Gravediggers work in a cemetery or graveyard. o The first man tells the other to “make her grave straight.” o Hamlet comments that the man “sings in grave-making.”
100
What does Hamlet notice at the beginning of this passage (lines 224–226)?
He notices the King, the Queen, and the courtiers following a body that will be buried.
100
Why is Laertes arguing with the doctor of divinity in lines 230–232?
Laertes wants a more elaborate funeral for Ophelia, but the priest says the church has already done more than is appropriate since there is some question of how Ophelia died.
100
What does Laertes mean when he says, “Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead” in line 263?
The mourners should fill the grave with dirt so that he can be buried alive with Ophelia.
200
Sense (n.) is defined as... (A) Deep thoughts. (B) Mindful (C) Conscious awareness or Rationality (D) None of the above
conscious awareness or rationality
200
What is the specific topic of conversation between the gravediggers at the beginning of the scene?
They are talking about a woman who drowned and whether or not she should get a Christian burial.
200
What does Hamlet do when he sees the people (line 229)?
He hides and watches them
200
What does Gertrude (the Queen) say she had hoped for Ophelia?
Gertrude had hoped that Ophelia would marry Hamlet.
200
To whom does Hamlet refer when he describes “he whose grief / Bears such an emphasis, whose phrase of sorrow / Conjures the wandr’ing stars”? What evidence in the text supports your answer?
Hamlet refers to Laertes. In the text, Laertes has just finished his speech in the grave and Hamlet steps forward to address him.
300
Deprived (v.) is defined as took away. True or false?
True.
300
What in the text establishes the tone of the gravediggers’ conversation?
The gravediggers are making jokes. One gravedigger starts singing while he is working.
300
How does Shakespeare make it clear that Hamlet does not know they are burying Ophelia?
It is clear that Hamlet does not know they are burying Ophelia because he asks, “Who is this they follow?” (line 225)
300
What does Laertes mean when he says that Hamlet deprived Ophelia of her sense (lines 260–261)?
He means that Hamlet’s actions caused Ophelia to go mad; Hamlet took away Ophelia’s sanity.
400
Forbear (v.) is defined as... (A) Descriptive. (B) Be patient with. (C) Empty (D) Discover
Be patient with.
400
Why does Hamlet ask, “Has this fellow no feeling of his business?” in line 68?
Hamlet is surprised that the gravedigger is not more serious because he is in a cemetery. Hamlet is surprised that the man is singing while he is digging a grave, a serious business.
400
What does Hamlet mean when he says that the simple funeral suggests that the dead person “did with desp’rate hand / Fordo its own life” in lines 227–228?
The simple funeral suggests that the person committed suicide.
400
Who is Laertes describing when he says, “that cursèd head” (line 259)? What evidence in the text supports your answer?
Laertes is describing Hamlet. It is clear that Laertes is talking about Hamlet because Gertrude was just talking about how she hoped Hamlet would marry Ophelia, and because Hamlet is the person who caused Ophelia to lose her mind.
500
True or false, a crowner is someone who places the crown on the new king or queen.
True.
500
How do Laertes’s words to the doctor of divinity in lines 250–252 reveal to Hamlet that he is watching Ophelia’s funeral?
Laertes refers to the dead person as “my sister” in line 251.
500
What does Laertes do after he says, “Hold off the earth awhile / Till I have caught her once more in mine arms?” in lines 261–262?
He leaps into the grave.
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