Act I
Why do the castle guards want Horatio to see the ghost?
He is college-educated and knows the proper way to address ghosts.
A term for when two characters serve as opposites of each other in identical situations
Foil
How does Claudius react to the play that confirms Hamlet's suspicion?
He gets up and leaves.
Why does Claudius send Hamlet (and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) to England?
What does Laertes do during the graveyard scene in reaction to Ophelia's death?
He jumps in her grave / fights Hamlet
How was King Hamlet killed?
Murder! Claudius poured poison in his ear.
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Hamlet's childhood friends. Claudius charges them with spying on Hamlet.
Hamlet does not want to kill Claudius while he is repenting because?
He wants him to go to hell.
How does Ophelia die?
She goes mad and drowns (suspected suicide).
Why do the gravediggers think that Ophelia should not have a Christian burial?
They think she committed suicide; therefore, she should not have good, Christian funeral rites.
What is Claudius doing in the castle late at night that Hamlet feels reflects poorly on Denmark?
Partying. Drinking.
Why does Polonius think Hamlet is crazy? What proof does he have?
He thinks that Hamlet is lovesick/heartbroken over Ophelia. Hamlet came into Ophelia's chambers and was acting WEIRD.
Who does Hamlet mistake for Claudius and kill?
Polonius (fly high, king)
What deus ex machina is present in Act IV? (Hint: Hamlet made new friends)
Pirates! Hamlet gets out of his sticky situation because a friendly pirate ship just so happens to pass by his ship on the way to England. The bring him back to Denmark.
Who does Hamlet say should take the throne after he dies?
Fortinbras of Norway
Why is Hamlet so upset with Gertrude?
She married Claudius soon after King Hamlet's death.
How has the problem with young Fortinbras been solved?
Uncle Fortinbras told Young Fortinbras to cut that out and leave Denmark alone. BUT he wants to pass through Denmark to attack Poland.
How does Hamlet treat Ophelia during the play?
He mocks her and makes gross, sexual comments at her expense.
What is Laertes' and Claudius' plan to make Hamlet's death look like an accident?
What is Hamlet's dying wish?
That Horatio lives to tell the sad tale of what happened to everyone
What two stipulations does the Ghost give to Hamlet as he charges him with revenge?
1. Leave your mom alone (God will Get Her)
2. "Taint not thy mind" (don't go crazy over this)
What are the four plots/schemes of Act II?
1. Reynaldo spies on Laertes in Paris for Polonius
2. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spy on Hamlet for the King
3. Ophelia talks to Hamlet while Claudius and Polonius spy
4. Hamlet adds some lines to the play to mirror King Hamlet's murder
What are the main ideas of Hamlet's "to be or not to be" soliloquy?
Should I live or die. Should I continue to suffer the pains of living or kill self and move on onto the unknown (after death).
What two reasons does Claudius give to Hamlet to explain his inaction in punishing Hamlet?
1. Gertrude loves her son (and I love her)
2. Hamlet is popular with the peasants
Name ALL the characters who die in Act V and their cause of death.
1. Gertrude - poison
2. Laertes - stabbed by own poisonous sword
3. Claudius - stabbed / force-fed poison
4. Hamlet - stabbed by Laertes' poison sword
5. Rosencrantz / Guildenstern - executed in England in Hamlet's place :(