Ghost & Supernatural
This figure appears on the battlements and drives Hamlet to learn the truth about his father’s death.
Who is the Ghost (King Hamlet)
Hamlet’s mother, who marries Claudius soon after the king’s death.
Who is Gertrude
“O, that this too too solid flesh would melt…” — the speaker.
Who is Hamlet
The location of the play’s opening scene (where guards see the Ghost).
What are the battlements / castle ramparts (Elsinore)
The Ghost is an example of this element often used in drama to create tension.
What is the supernatural element? (ghost)
The Ghost tells Hamlet that he was killed by this relative.
Who is Claudius
Polonius’s daughter, who reports Hamlet’s odd behavior.
Who is Ophelia
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” — this line suggests this theme.
What is political corruption / decay
The immediate action Hamlet takes after the Ghost reveals murder (he vows to do this).
What is vow revenge / investigate the murder
When characters or stage directions suggest one thing while reality is different, this theme is at work.
What is aphorism / maxim / didactic advice
This is one immediate emotional effect on Hamlet after the Ghost’s revelation.
What is shock / anger / resolve to seek revenge. (Accept grief, confusion, resolve)
These two childhood friends are summoned by Claudius and later questioned by Hamlet.
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
“The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.” — Hamlet plans to use a play to do this.
What is “test Claudius’s guilt” / “catch the conscience of the King”
Ophelia reports that Hamlet approached her in this disheveled state; name one detail.
What is disheveled / unbraced doublet (or pale, wild look)
When characters or stage directions suggest one thing while reality is different, this theme is at work.
What is appearance vs. reality
The battlements scene primarily establishes this mood in the play.
What is uncertainty / fear / suspense
Laertes receives advice from this character before leaving for France.
Who is Polonius
“To thine own self be true.” — Speaker and the recipient of this advice.
Who is Polonius (Speaker) — Who is Laertes (Recipient)
Polonius sends this character to France to check on Laertes and gather information.
Who is Reynaldo
This allow readers to see Hamlet's private thoughts; this is an example of this dramatic technique.
What is soliloquy
Quote in context: The Ghost’s command that Hamlet “remember” this two‑word phrase about his father.
What is "remember me"
This character misinterprets Hamlet’s behavior as lovesickness and reports it to the king and queen.
Who is Polonius
Hamlet’s short reply to Polonius, three repeated words expressing dismissal.
What is “Words, words, words”
In Act 2, Scene 2, Hamlet instructs the players to perform with this kind of acting to provoke Claudius.
What is realistic / natural acting to provoke a genuine reaction
The Ghost’s demand for revenge introduces this ethical theme that drives the plot.
What is revenge and justice