| When was Hamlet written | In 1602 at the age of 24 |
| What ideas did he piggy-back from | Saxo Grammaticus by Thomas Kyd |
| Where does the play take place | Elsinore in Denmark |
| Why has Horatio joined Bernardo and Marcellus at their night watch | They have seen a ghost of Hamlet’s father for two nights. Horatio is a good friend of Hamlet’s and brings credence credibility |
| How does Horatio interpret the appearance of the Ghost | “This bodes some strange eruption to our state” |
| What three questions does Marcellus raise | Why a night watch?Why weapons?Why are they working day and night?It’s all for war. |
| What events have led up to preparation for war | Fortinbras vs Hamlet sr. Hamlet wins and gets everything. Fortinbras jr wants his land back and is going to make war for it= prepare for war |
| What three reasons does Horatio list for a ghost to return from the grave | To complete a good deedWarn of impending dangerReveal a hidden treasure |
| What is one reason Horatio fails to list for a ghost to return | To reveal the circumstance of his death |
| Why do Horatio and Marcellus decide to tell hamlet about the ghost | Think the ghost will speak to Hamlet |
| What news does King Claudius announce at the opening of scene 2 | His marriage to Gertrude |
| Why does Claudius send Cornelius and Voltimand to Norway | To talk to Fortinbras jr’s uncle to get him to curb his nephew’s military plans |
| What bothers Claudius and Gertrude about Hamlet’s attire | He is still in mourning, wearing black. It is a reminder to their hasty marriage |
| Why does Claudius want Hamlet to remain at court | To keep an eye on him. Claudius has a guilty conscience |
| How long has Hamlet’s father been dead | Two months |
| Explain why Hamlet says, “Frailty, thy name is woman!” | He blames him mom but also thinks women are weak |
| What is Hamlet’s plan about dealing with the ghost in scene 2 | To stand watch and see if the ghost will appear to talk to him |
| Why does Laertes warn his sister Ophelia not to place too much hope in Hamlet’s attentions to her | His choices may not be his own |
| What does Laertes say must govern Hamlet’s marriage choice | He must make one to benefit his country. Possibly an arranged marriage with someone of his own stature for more power. |
| What advice does Ophelia in turn give to Laertes | Practice what you preach |
| “Give thy thoughts no tongue,/ Nor any unproportioned thought his act.” | Think before you speak |
| “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice: | Listen to everyone, confide in few |
| “Neither a borrower nor a lender be;/ For loan oft loses both itself and friend” | Don’t lend or borrow money; it may ruin friendships |
| What are Polonius’ instructions to Ophelia about Hamlet | Don’t believe Hamlet’s vows. Stay away from him. |
| What is happening at the court while Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus are on the platform | Claudius is having a party |
| Why does hamlet denounce the custom of drunken celebration | It opens Denmark to criticism to other countries |
| What happens at the end of Scene 4 | The ghost beckons Hamlet to join him alone, and he does. His friends follow |
| What does the Ghost reveal about the manner of his death | He was murdered by Claudius not stung by a serpent |
| What does the Ghost tell Hamlet about his mother | She had an affair with Claudius while the father was still alive |
| What three tasks does the ghost tell Hamlet to undertake | Free Denmark from inscestMaintain his integrityLeave his mother to the Heavens, don’t take revenge on her |
| What does Hamlet imply he may decide to do | Put on an antic disposition: pretend to go crazy |
| What is the timespan of act 1 | 30 hours |
| What does Hamlet promise the ghost | To wipe away everything from his distracted globe and focus soley on his new task |
| What characters are clearly not what they seem to be | Royal couple: everything is fine and happy/ Claudius is a murderer and adulter and so is sheHamlet: will appear crazy to get informationGertrude: looks virtuous/ is an adulteressPolonious: is too interested in his own image |
| What dramatic effec t is created by having the ghost appear to so many people in the specific order | To heighten suspense and create a somber, eerie mood |
| What future events does Act I prepare us to anticipate | What news from Norway?Hamlet and Ophilea |
| Can the three commands of the ghost to Hamlet be accomplished | It’s doubtful; it’s unlikely Hamlet can get revenge and still maintain his integrity |
| In Elizabethan days the king was regarded as ____. | God’s repesentative on earth |
| Was Hamlet being called upon to simply execute private revenge | No, very public. An earthly and heavenly crime. |
| Hamlet Quotes: 6 | “This bodes some strange eruption to our state.””A little more than kin, and less than kind.””Not so my lord. I am tooo much in the sun.””Frailty, thy name is woman.””Foul deeds will rise, though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes””The time is out of joint. Oh, cursed spite/ that ever I was born to set it right?” |
| Polonius Quote: 1 | “For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulleth edge of husbandry- this above all: to thine own self be true.” |
| What three things make a tragedy | Noble born individualTragic FlawBrings his own demise |
| Siloloquy | Actor stands alone on stage and reveals his inner most thoughts |
| Aside | Lines said only to the audience |
| What did the Elizabethians believe? | There was a great chain of being: everything in the universe has a rank. Sun=king. When Hamlet says he is too much in the “son” he is really referring to the Elizabethian “sun” known as Claudius. It’s a pun. |
| How does Shakespear write | Unrhymed iambic pentameter |
| Sanguine | Naturally cheerful and hopeful |
| Melancholic | Individual will dwell at length on his difficulties, often becoming so passionate that he is unable to act |
| Choleric | Easily made angry |
| Phlegmatic | Indifferent |
First Act Hamlet
July 11, 2019