| Usurp | take a position of power by force |
| Beaver | the lower part of the face guard of a helmet in a suit of armor |
| Portentous | done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress OR sign or warning |
| Partisan | Spear |
| Hallowed | make holy |
| Censure | express severe disapproval of someone or something typically in a formal statement |
| Auspicious | a sign of future success |
| Filial | of or due from a son or daughter OR generations after parents |
| Sovereignty | supreme power or authority |
| Enmity | state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something |
| Pernicious | having a harmful effect |
| Antic | grotesque or bizarre |
| Act 1 Scene 1: What is Horatio’s opinion of the ghost before and after he sees it? What does the ghost look like? | Before he sees it he is doubtful and then after asks if they have any unfinished business so that he can help– the ghost looks like the King |
| Act I Scene 1: Explain the political unrest that takes place in Denmark at the beginning of the play. (lines 80 – 107) | King Hamlet (Denmark) vs. King Fortinbras (Norway)– fought over land, Fortinbras gave up some land |
| Act I Scene 2: Explain Claudius’ comments to Hamlet regarding his father’s death. What advice is given? (lines 87 – 117) | Death is natural and stop mourning. “Man up” |
| Act I Scene 2: Explain Hamlet’s feelings in his soliloquy. How does he feel about his father’s death and mother’s marriage? (lines 129 – 159) | He wishes he could commit suicide. He says his dad was a good King and husband. He doesn’t like that his mom married so soon and didn’t stay in mourning. |
| Allusion | “In the most high and palmy state of Rome,A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted deadDid squeak and gibber in the Roman streets.”Indirect reference |
| Alliteration | “With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts”Recurrence of the same letter or sound |
| Metaphor | “The rooster, that is the trumpet of the morning”When a word or phrase is compared to an object or action |
| Imagery | “This bodes some strange eruption to our state.”Visually descriptive |
| Mood | ToneGrim tone |
| Deus ex machina | An unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation |
| Personification | “But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill.”Giving human-like attributes to inanimate objects |
| Setting | Denmark and Norway |
| Kairos | a favorable moment for decision or actionHoratio |
| Act I Scene 3: Compare Laertes’ advice to Ophelia (lines 10 – 44) with Polonius command to Ophelia (lines 115 – 135) | Laertes tells Ophelia that Hamlet can’t just marry anyone. Polonius tells Ophelia not to see Hamlet anymore because she’s being a harlot. |
| Act I Scene 4: Explain Horatio’s fear about the Ghost. (lines 69 – 78) | Horatio is scared that the ghost will lead Hamlet to his death. |
| Act I Scene 5: What is the instructions given to Hamlet by the Ghost? | The ghost asks Hamlet to avenge him and to leave Gertrude alone. |
| Act I Scene 5: What does Hamlet mean when he says he will “put on an antic disposition”? Why do you think he will do this? Do you think he is acting or is his madness real?(lines 170 – 180) | Hamlet will pretend to be crazy. |
Hamlet Act I
October 18, 2019