| Where does the play take place? What is happening as the play opens? | Denmark, Elsinore, Guards switching duty, dark, cold, midnight, anxiety, tension |
| Who are Marcellus and Bernardo? | Two guards at castle |
| Why has Marcellus brought Horatio for night watch? | To see a ghost that has been spotted last two nights |
| Who does the ghost appear to be? How is he dressed? | Ghost- see if he will show up againKing- armor- fought Norway and Poland, Horatio can talk to it (educated)Dressed in armor and prepared for battle, King Hamlet |
| What is the source of tension between Norway and Denmark? Why is the castle being guarded? | King Hamlet (of Denmark) killed King Fortinbras (of Norway) and inherited landSon of Fortinbras wants revenge and has gathered a gang of rebels to potentially attack |
| What do Horatio, Marcellus and Bernardo decide to do as the scene ends? | Tell Hamlet about the ghost and have him try to talk to it |
| Describe the family ties now existing in Claudius’s court. | Claudius, the brother of king Hamlet, married Gertrude, his brothers wife, Prince Hamlet’s uncle is now his step dad |
| What does he say it is time to do? | He says it is time to move forward because while they are sad, there are still things to do |
| Why is he writing to the King of Norway? Who will deliver his message? | He is writing to the uncle of young Fortinbras to get the boy to stop this pursuit of revengeCornelius and Voltemand will deliver the message |
| Who is Laertes and what does he ask of the Kings? Is permission granted? | Laertes, the son of Polonius, wants to return to France He is given permission from the King |
| Describe Hamlet’s present mood | Sad/depressed- under cloudDoesn’t just seem upset, truly is (Appearance vs. Reality) |
| What is Claudius’s reaction to Hamlet? The queen’s? What do they ask of him? | Queen- don’t be so upset, stay in Denmark and don’t return to schoolClaudius- unmanly, get over it |
| In his first soliloquy, what are Hamlet’s feelings about his mother’s marriage to Claudius? | Father was an exceptional king and husband: his parents had a fantastic marriageAngry at mother, just two months after father’s death she has remarried- weak |
| When Bernardo, Marcellus, and Horatio find Hamlet what does he plan to do as a result of what they tell him? | Go try and speak to itAsks the others not to tell of what they have seen |
| As the scene ends, why does Hamlet think the ghost of his father may be appearing? | He suspects that there has been foul play; was his dad murdered? |
| Who is Ophelia and what brotherly advice does Laertes give her? | Daughter of Polonius and sister of LaertesLaertes says Hamlet may just be flirting and she shouldn’t get marriedHamlet does not necessarily get to choose his mateDon’t lose honor! |
| What advice does Polonius give Laertes before he departs for France? | Think before act, be friendly but only trust a few who have proven themselves, listen to others opinions, but be careful about vacing your own, dress well, don’t borrow or lend $, consistent, to thine own self to be true |
| What does Polonius order Ophelia to do? What is Ophelia’s response? | Don’t believe everything he says; he may just be using youhe’s all talkOrders Ophelia to stop talking to Hamlet and Ophelia says she will obey |
| Where and when does this scene take place? What is everyone waiting for? | It is on the platform, night again, return of the ghost |
| What is happening during the King and Queen’s celebration that involves a cannon? What does Hamlet think of the custom and what effect does he think it will have on Denmark? | They are drinking, Hamlet thinks their drinking makes the Danish people look bad, “Dram of evil doth all the noble substance of a doubt to his own scandal” One drop of something band can ruin something that is largely good |
| When the ghost appears what does Hamlet do? How do the others react to what is happening? | Hamlet tries to speak to it and it beckons himThe others tell Hamlet not to go with the ghost because it may cause harm |
| What is the significance of the following remark by Marcellus: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”? | There’s something bad going on; all is not well |
| What is the “life span” of the ghost? When will he stop appearing? | doomed to walk the night and spend days in the fires until all of his sins are gone |
| What is the nature of Hamlet’s father’s death? What has everyone been told? | Murder by Claudius- poured poison in the king’s ear while he was nappingeveryone in the country was told that he was bitten by a snake while sleeping in the garden |
| Why must Hamlet spare his mother in seeking revenge on Claudius? What will her punishment be? | The ghost gives Hamlet 2 directions:1. Don’t be getting revenge mess with your mind2. Don’t harm Gertrude- she will have to answer to her actions in heaven |
| What promise does Hamlet ask Horatio and Marcellus to make? What does he warn them not to worry about? | 1. Don’t tell anyone what you have seen2. Don’t be alarmed if Hamlet starts acting oddly/insane “Antic Disposition”- Crazy |
Hamlet Act 1
August 2, 2019