Act One
In the very beginning, what did Bernardo say he saw at a prior watch?
The ghost of Hamlet's father
Why does Polonius think Hamlet is crazy?
Because he is in love with Ophelia
How does Polonius die?
Stabbed by Hamlet
Who is Hamlet's mother?
Gertrude
What is a major theme in "Hamlet"?
Revenge
Who do the soldiers/guards want to tell about the ghost?
Hamlet
The first time we meet them, why have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to the castle?
To spy on Hamlet
Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy is in scene one. In a few words paraphrase his main points.
Choosing between life or death
Who are the children of Polonius?
Ophelia and Laertes
What theme is present when Hamlet pretends to be mad?
Appearance vs Reality
What is Polonius' advice to Laertes? Name at least two
Be true to yourself, don't lend or borrow money, choose your words wisely, make friends but don't be friendly.
What arrangement does Hamlet make with Player 1?
What was the King's reaction to the play?
He wanted the lights on and he looked guilty
Who is Ophelia to Hamlet?
His lover
How does betrayal show up in the play?
Claudius betrays his brother by killing him.
What does King Claudius tell Hamlet?
To stop mourning his father
What is the first plan that Polonius comes up with to find out the cause of Hamlet's madness
Have Ophelia meet with Hamlet while he and Claudius hide behind a curtain
Why doesn't Hamlet kill the King when the King is kneeling?
Because he doesn't want him to go to Heaven
Who is the main antagonist (bad guy) of the play?
Claudius
How does the theme of morality influence Hamlet's decisions?
He often gets stuck between what is right and wrong, but often picks wrong
What does the ghost tell Hamlet?
The Claudius killed him
Where does Polonius send Reynaldo? Why?
To Parris, to spy on Laertes
Why does Hamlet give instructions to the players?
So that the play inside the play will resemble his father's death.
What are the four watchmen's name's
Horatio, Barnardo, Francisco and Marcellus
How does the theme of corruption manifest in the kingdom of Denmark?
Through Claudius, because of his actions as the king