Characters
Prince of Denmark
Hamlet
Laertes sister
Ophelia
Where does Act I, Scene 1 of Hamlet take place?
Outside the castle
What time of night does Scene 1 take place?
Midnight
Why is Hamlet wearing black in this scene?
He is mourning his father's death
Who enters to tell Hamlet about seeing his father's ghost?
Horatio
What advice does Polonius give about speaking?
Listen to many people, but talk to few
What does Polonius tell Ophelia to think of herself as?
A baby
Hamlet’s uncle
Claudius
Does not believe the other guards about the ghost
Horatio
Which guard leaves before the ghost appears?
Francisco
How many times does the Ghost appear in Scene 1?
Twice
How long has Hamlet's father been dead at the start of the scene?
less than 2 months
What does Hamlet say he suspects about his father's death?
Foul play/someone killed him.
What advice does Laertes give to Ophelia about Hamlet?
She should be careful of his affections
What does Polonius tell Laertes about borrowing and lending money?
To neither a borrower nor a lender be
Queen of Denmark
Gertrude
Hamlet’s father
The ghost
Who first sees the Ghost in this scene?
Marcellus
What causes the Ghost to disappear the first time?
The crowing of a rooster
What does Gertrude ask Hamlet to do?
Stop mourning and stay in Denmark
What does Hamlet ask Horatio and the guards to do regarding the ghost?
Keep it secret
What command does Polonius give to Ophelia regarding Hamlet?
To deny him access and refuse his letters
How does Ophelia respond to Laertes' advice about Hamlet?
She promises to follow his counsel
Chief counselor of Claudius
Polonius
First person to see the ghost in scene 1
According to Horatio, who does the Ghost resemble (look like)?
The dead King Hamlet
What does Horatio attempt to do when the Ghost appears?
Commands it to speak
What does Claudius say about Hamlet's continued mourning?
It is unmanly and unreasonable
How does Hamlet respond to the news about the ghost?
He wants to see the ghost himself
What does Polonius say will happen if Ophelia continues to see Hamlet?
She will embarrass him (Tender him a fool)
What does Polonius say about taking and giving opinions?
Hear everyone’s opinion, but reserve your own judgement
Name 4 of the guards
Francisco, Marcellus, Horatio, Bernardo
Who are Polonius's children?
Laertes & Ophelia
What political situation is Denmark facing at the beginning of the play?
Possible invasion from Norway
What plan do the men make at the end of Scene 1?
To inform Prince Hamlet about the Ghost
What does Laertes request from Claudius?
Permission to return to France
What does Hamlet reveal in his first soliloquy?
His disgust with his mother's hasty remarriage
What does Laertes warn Ophelia about regarding Hamlet's will?
That it is subject to his father's voice
What does Ophelia say Hamlet has done to show his affection?
Written her love letters