Show:
Define that word!
What's the word?
Name the character
What happened next?
Explain the quote
100
Leige
What is a lord entitled to allegiance?
100
To examine closely
What is sift?
100
These characters are Hamlet's childhood friends who betray him to spy on him.
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
100
Polonius speaks with Reynaldo. What does he say?
What is Polonius asks Reynaldo to go to France to check up on Laertes and bring him money. He askes Reynaldo to check on Laertes to see if he is participating in gambling, drinking, prostitutes, etc.
100
"I doubt it is no other but the main--his father's death and our o'erhasty marriage."
What is the Queen is speaking to the King about the most probably cause for Hamlet's lunacy. She is admitting her wrongdoing.
200
Sovereign
What is monarch?
200
Rebellious
What is wanton?
200
This character recites a speech from a play about Pyrrhus seeking revenge for the death of his father.
Who is First Player?
200
Hamlet comes to visit Ophelia in her room...
What is Ophelia worries about Hamlet's well-being. Hamlet comes to see her, does not speak at all, and looks completely disheveled and undone.
200
"Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, and tediusness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief."
What is Polonius is talking about how valuable it is to be brief in speaking and the importance of getting to the point. This is ironic because Polonius is always rambling on and avoids getting to the bottom line.
300
Quintessence
What is the essence; composed of heavenly bodies?
300
Generosity; upperclass people
What is gentry?
300
Voltemand and Cornelius come back from Norway with news...
What is Voltemand and Cornelius bring good news from Norway. Fortinbras has been told by his uncle (the ruler of Norway) that he cannot attack Denmark. However, Fortinbras requests to travel through Denmark on his way to attack Poland.
300
"Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love."
This quote is from a letter that Hamlet has written to Ophelia professing his love for her. The love seems to be real and Hamlet may have turned crazy because he has been denied this love.
400
Stock Character
What is a stereotypical character?
400
Producing infection; often epidemic
What is pestilent?
400
Hamlet asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern why they have come to see him...
What is R and G try to avoid Hamlet's questioning but he finally gets it out of them that they have been sent to spy on Hamlet by Gertrude and Claudius. They have betrayed his friendship in doing this.
400
"Though this be madness, yet there is method in it."
What is Polonius recognizes Hamlet's odd logic and crazy speech but also that he is still making sense.
500
Appurtenance
What is an accessory?
500
To form a clot
What is coagulate?
500
Hamlet reflects on the Player's speech about Pyrrhus and Hecuba...
What is Hamlet realizes that the player had such an emotional reaction to a speech about revenge while Hamlet himself has not reacted in that manner. He realizes that he must act on this revenge and decides to see if Claudius is guilty through the play.
500
"Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide; But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword th' unnerved father falls."
What is the First Player is reciting a speech about Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, who is seeking revenge for the murder of his father. He arrives in the Trojan Horse looking to kill Priam. Pyrrhus is successful.