Characters
Story Questions
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Literary Devices
No Fear Shakespeare
100

The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle, and the play’s antagonist.

Claudius

100

For what purpose is Fortinbras in Denmark

To invade

100

What happens to Hamlet on his way to England?

He is kidnapped by pirates.

100

Mad as the sea and wind when both contend which is the mightier

Simile

100

Claudius on Ophelia's madness: “O, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs all from her father’s death.”

Ophelia is grieving. She has gone crazy because of her father's death. 

200

Polonius' daughter and love interest to Hamlet. 

Ophelia

200

Who does Gertrude rush to see after Polonius is killed? 

Claudius

200

What is likely the cause of Ophelia's madness? 

Her father's murder and Hamlet's cruelty

200

"To be demanded of a sponge!"

Metaphor

200

Claudius: Laertes, was your father dear to you, Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart?

Laertes, did you really love your father, or are you just pretending to be sad? 

300

Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the Prince at Wittenberg. 

Horatio

300

What orders does Claudius send to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? 

That Hamlet be killed

300

What do Laertes and Claudius plan to do if Hamlet wins the duel? 

Poison him with a cup of wine

300

"A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear."

Personification

300

"O, from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!"

"From now on, my thoughts will be focused on revenge, or they won't be worth anything!"

400

Ophelia's brother and narrative foil to Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.

Laertes

400

What does Hamlet resolve to do after meeting Fortinbras? 

Achieve his revenge. 

400

How does Laertes's character differ from Hamlet's in their approach to revenge?

Laertes is quick to act on his emotions, seeking immediate revenge. Hamlet, however, has a tendency to overthink and delay his actions.

400

"To all that fortune, death, and danger dare."

Alliteration

400

"How stand I then, That have a father killed, a mother stained, Excitement of my reason and my blood, and let all sleep?"

"How can I just stand here when my father is dead, my mother is impure, and my emotions are all stirred up? How can I just let everything go on as if nothing is happening?"

500

The young Prince of Norway and narrative foil to Hamlet

Fortinbras 

500

What role does Fortinbras play in Act 4?

He is a narrative foil to Hamlet

500

In Act 4, Scene 5, what does Ophelia hand out to the court members?

Flowers

500

CLAUDIUS: "By letters congruing to that effect, the present death of Hamlet. Do it, England."

Dramatic Irony

500

“A man may fish the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.”  

a man can catch a fish that has eaten a worm, which in turn has fed on a decaying king. 

Regardless of one's royal status, everyone eventually becomes part of the cycle of life and death.