Scene I&II
What does Gertrude inform King Claudius about?
Gertrude informs King Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius.
Where is the body of Polonius? Where did he put it?
At first, Hamlet doesn’t reveal where he hid Polonius’s body.
Eventually, he says it's under the stairs in the lobby.
Prince Fortinbras of Norway
What happens to Ophelia after her father's death?
She starts going mad.
What does Cladius plot for Hamlet and Laertes to do?
Have a duel with Laertes having a sharpened sword, and Hamlet a blunt one.
What two aspects of this situation is King Claudius worried about?
Claudius is worried about:
How to manage the political fallout from Polonius’ death.
Hamlet’s increasing danger to the royal family and kingdom.
What is Hamlet's response when Claudius demands to know where the body of Hamlet's murdered victim is?
The worms are eating him for supper.
What message is the Norwegian Captain supposed to deliver to Claudius in Act 4, Scene 4?
The armies of Norway want passage through Denmark.
What does Ophelia sing about Rosemary?
That is stands for remembrance.
What is the second idea Claudius and Laertes come up with?
To poison the tip of the sword.
What decision does King Claudius make regarding Hamlet?
He decides to send him to England
Why can’t King Claudius punish Hamlet?
What is the king worried about regarding Hamlet’s status in Denmark?
Claudius can’t openly punish Hamlet because the people love him and so does Queen Gertrude.
Punishing Hamlet risks political instability and personal backlash.
What does Hamlet promise about his actions after seeing the troops?
That they will be bloody
When Laertes returns after his father's death, what does he want?
To know the truth about his fathers death
What is their backup idea for their plan?
When Hamlet is tired, give him a poisioned drink.
Explain the orders for Rosencrantz/Guildenstern.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are ordered to find Hamlet and find the body.
What does the king reveal in his closing comments in scene iii?
Claudius reveals his plan to have Hamlet killed in England.
His motivation is self-preservation and removing the threat Hamlet poses.
What does Cladius grant Fortinbras to do?
Pass through Denmark.
Some sailors arrive at Elsinore from a pirate ship in Act 4, Scene 6. Who do they deliver a letter to?
Horatio
As Laertes and Claudius discuss how to kill Hamlet, what news does Gertrude bring?
That Ophelia has died.
What is Hamlet’s metaphor about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Hamlet uses a metaphor comparing them to a recorder/flute, saying they try to "play" him like an instrument—they are being used by Claudius and lack true loyalty or intelligence.
He thinks of them as "Spies"
What is his (Claudius) motivation?
Eliminating Hamlet and the threat he poses
Where are they heading to in Act IV?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are taking Hamlet to England.
How does Hamlet manage to avoid his fate in England?
He went with pirates on another ship
What is Ophelia's cause of death?
Drowning