Hamlet Act 1 Questions

What did Marcellus say Horatio said about the Ghost? Why was it so important that Horatio came to their night shift? He said that Horatio said they were just imaging it. It is important because Horatio needs to see first hand that there is a ghost, because Hamlet would only believe Horatio.
When Horatio first saw the ghost, explain his reaction. Who did he say the ghost resemble? Explain why he thought that. he was pale and shaking all over. He said it looked like the old king because of the armor he had been wearing, it was the same armor the king had worn to fight the king of Norway.
Explain why Horatio compared the sighting of the ghost to the fall of Rome? Because this ghost may be foreshadowing what the other ghosts in Rome had. Rome also saw their dead leaders, and soon after that Rome had fallen.
Who is going to tell Hamlet about the ghost? Will he believe this person? Explain why. Horatio, he will because he is Hamlet’s closest friend who he trusts more than his family.
Why are there so many guards on duty? Explain. Because the late king of Norway’s son wants to get revenge for his father’s death, also the land they lost in the war as well.
Why does Claudius say he has mixed feelings of sadness and happiness about marrying Gertrude? Claudius has mixed feelings because he married his dead brother’s wife, as well as take his crown. But he is also sad because his brother is dead. though he likes what he reaped out of his death.
What does Gertrude reprimand Hamlet about? How does Hamlet react to this? Mourning his father for longer than she has. He tells her that he still grieves over the lost and thinks he should be allowed to continue mourning for his father’s passing.
What does Claudius say to Hamlet about mourning his father? He says it’s endearing until a certain part, but not manly what so ever. Claudius says that continuing to mourn is stubborn and against God.
How does Hamlet feel towards his mother, and her marriage to his uncle? What does he compare the wedding day to when speaking to Horatio? He is disgusted that so soon after his father’s passing that they got married. He said that the left over food from the funeral made a great wedding banquet. He compares it to meeting his worst enemy.
What does Horatio tell Hamlet? How does he react? What does Hamlet feel about this ghost? Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost on the palace’s gates and how similar it looks to the late king of Denmark. Hamlet is disturbed about his father’s spirit roaming around the palace. He thinks that it was his father and that he should go and see him.
What is Laetes’s message to Ophelia? How does she respond to this? That Hamlet’s affections to her are only temporary and not to listen/trust him and let him take away her innocence. That the attention Hamlet is giving her is lust not love. Ophelia tells him to basically practice what he preaches to her.
Why does Laertes mention the importance of Hamlet’s family in his life to Ophelia? What does he tell her not to be a target for? Because Hamlet will always choose family matters before his love for Ophelia. Lust is NOT love.
What advice does Polonius share with Laertes before he leaves? Where is he going? Don’t say what you’re thinking, listen to many talk to few, don’t buy flashy clothes, don’t lend/ borrow money, be true to yourself. He is going to France.
Why is Polonius disappointed in Ophelia? What is view on Hamlet liking his daughter? Does he believe it’s true love? Polonius is disappointed because Ophelia is spending more and more time with Hamlet. He does not at all enjoy that Hamlet has a thing for his daughter. No, he believes that Hamlet is trying to use Ophelia.
How did Ophelia react to her father’s reaction? What does this tell us about her personality? She tries to make him happy by just agreeing with him in that moment. She’s passive and obedient, naive as well.
What does Hamlet say to the ghost when he sees him? he calls the ghost ‘father, Hamlet senior, king, royal dane.’ he tells the ghost to answer him, he says they buried him and wants to know how/why he left there to haunt the castle. He also wants to know what the ghost wants from him.
What does the ghost do in this scene? How does Horatio feel about Hamlet leaving with the ghost? The ghost motions for Hamlet to follow him alone. Horatio knows that it’ll end badly and tells Hamlet to ignore the ghost and stay put.
Does Hamlet end up leaving with the ghost? What does he say his reason why he is going? Yes. “It is my fate calling me, Every nerve in my body is now as tough as still. the ghost is still waving me over, let me go, gentlemen.”
How does Marcellus and Horatio’s views at the end of the scene differ? Marcellus wants to follow him while Horatio thinks it’s just Hamlet’s imagination and to let God take care of it.
What does the ghost reveal about the manner of his death? that he is the king and that he was horribly murdered. He was poisoned by his brother, the new king of Denmark. snaked killed him/ Claudius is the snake.
What does the ghost tell Hamlet of his mother? That she has been seduced by Hamlet’s uncle and that she’s being manipulated. She’s in lust, she was really only in love with the late king.
What task does the ghost order Hamlet to do? To remember him, and to take revenge on his uncle for his father’s murder. Don’t loose your mind, don’t harm you mother
What does Hamlet imply he might do? that he needs to avenge his father’s death.