Plot
Who is the first character to see the ghost of King Hamlet?
Horatio
Who is Hamlet's closest friend and confidant?
Horatio
Who says, “To be or not to be, that is the question”? and why?
Hamlet, as he contemplates the value of life and whether enduring the suffering of existence is preferable to the uncertainty of death.
What does the ghost symbolize in the play?
Unresolved issues and the pursuit of justice.
What literary device is “I will speak daggers to her, but use none”?
Metaphor
Why does Hamlet stage the play The Mousetrap?
To confirm Claudius’s guilt in King Hamlet's murder.
Which character serves as Hamlet’s foil, being impulsive and ready for action, unlike Hamlet? Give an example of how.
Laertes, he acts impulsively and seeks immediate revenge for his father's death, while Hamlet is contemplative and hesitant.
Who says, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks”?
Queen Gertrude
What does the poisoned sword and wine symbolize?
Betrayal and corruption.
What is the meaning of the simile “...like a mildew’d ear blasting his wholesome brother”?
It compares Claudius to a diseased ear infecting everything around him.
What prevents Hamlet from killing Claudius while he is praying?
What prevents Hamlet from killing Claudius while he is praying?
Who is Laertes, and what motivates him?
Laertes is Polonius’s son, seeking revenge for his father’s death.
Complete the line: “Something is rotten in the state of ______.”
Denmark
What theme is explored through Hamlet's hesitation to act on his revenge?
Action vs inaction
What is the literary device used in “To be or not to be: that is the question”?
Soliliquay
What country is Prince Fortinbras from?
Norway
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Childhood friends of Hamlet sent by Claudius to spy on him.
Who says, “Frailty, thy name is woman”? about who? why?
Hamlet, about his mother Gertrude. She betrayed Hamlet Sr. by letting her sexual and emotional needs take over her.
How does Yorick’s skull function symbolically in Act 5?
It reminds Hamlet of mortality and the inevitability of death.
Wild card: In the final duel, Hamlet’s hesitancy contrasts with Laertes’ decisiveness. How does this difference impact the outcome of their fates?
Hamlet’s hesitation leads to his delayed action, while Laertes’ swift actions contribute to his tragic death, showing that both extremes of action and inaction lead to tragic outcomes.
How does Hamlet return to Denmark after being sent to England?
Pirates attack his ship, and he negotiates his return.
Who is the court jester whose skull Hamlet discovers?
Yorick
Who says, “Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”? When?
Horatio, after Hamlet's death.
How do Hamlet and Laertes represent the themes of action vs. reflection and impulsiveness vs. thoughtfulness?
Laertes symbolizes impulsiveness, acting quickly and without reflection, while Hamlet represents thoughtfulness, constantly reflecting (moral dilemma) and delaying action, showing the contrast between rashness and contemplation.
How does Hamlet use irony when he says, “I am too much in the sun”?
He uses wordplay to sarcastically refer to being Claudius’s "son" (stepson).