Hamlet Act I and II review

Which line shows Marcellus’ devotion to his master? “liegemen to the Dane”
What line shows what side Horatio is on? “friends to this ground”
Who has to take Francisco’s place as guard? “Bernardo has my place”
What time is the scene set, and what does the time mean to Francisco? “’tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco”
What character traits and plans does Fortinbras show? “unimproved mettle hot and full,Hath…Shark’d up a list of lawless resolutes,…to recover of us, by strong handAnd terms compulsatory, those foresaid landsSo by his father lost”
What line shows evidence that the ghost might be the king? “Such was the very armour he had on When he the ambitious Norway combated”
Which of Bernardo’s lines shows the mood of the passage? “How now, Horatio! you tremble and look paleIs not this something more than fantasy?”
When does Bernardo say the ghost last appeared? “Last night of all,When yond same star that’s westward from the poleHad made his course to illume that part of heavenWhere now it burns, Marcellus and myself,The bell then beating one”
According to Horatio, who will the ghost talk to? “young Hamlet…upon my life,This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him”
From where must the extravagant spirit hie to when? “Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air…to his confine…[when] The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throatAwake the god of day”
What does Horatio say happened when Julius Caesar died? “The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted deadDid squeak and gibber in the Roman streets”
How does Hamlet feel about his uncle? “A little more than kind and less than kind”
What does Gertrude tell Hamlet to do? “cast thy knighted color off”
What lines reveal the setting of Hamlet’s school? “In going back to school in Wittenberg…”
What does Claudius say that shows he is not Hamlet’s father? “‘Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,To give these mourning duties to your father”
Who were dispatched from Claudius to Old Norway? “You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand”
How soon after his father died does Hamlet say his mother married his uncle? “two months dead: nay, not so much, not two..within a month…A little month, or ere those shoes were oldWith which she follow’d my poor father’s body…within a month:Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tearsHad left the flushing in her galled eyes”
Horatio told Hamlet he came to Elsinore for what reason? “My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral”
Where does Hamlet say he sees his father? “In my mind’s eye, Horatio”
How does Hamlet describe his relationship with Horatio? “Sir, my good friend; I’ll change that name with you”
What color appeared the spirit of the king’s face? “very pale”
What color appeared the ghost’s beard? “a sable silvered”
What does Hamlet tell Horatio he will do about the ghost when and why? “I will watch to-night;Perchance ’twill walk again”
Which of Polonius’ lines shows he thinks his daughter’s characteristics include young and naïve? “Pooh! You speak like a green girl”
Which line shows Polonius’ tone of authority towards forbidding Ophelia’s affection for Hamlet? “I’ll teach you: Think yourself a baby”
Which line shows Ophelia’s unhesitant, carefree tone towards concealing something from her father? “So please you, something concerning the Lord Hamlet”
What line shows Ophelia’s ostensibly cautious and obedient tone toward her brother’s warnings? “‘Tis in my memory lock’d, And you yourself shall keep the key of it”
How does Laertes express his comment on life that younger sisters should heed their older brothers’ warnings about romance? “Be wary then”
How does Laertes describe Hamlet’s characteristics as temporarily attractive but unreliable and inconsistent? “A violet in the primy youth of nature,Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting”
How does Laertes imply that the differences in class structure within Denmark would not allow a marriage between Hamlet and Ophelia? “…his will is not his own;For he is subject to his birth”
How does Polonius recommend with a tone of parental advice that Laertes keep his good friends close? “…their adoption tried,Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel”
Where does Polonius use simplistic diction to express his distrust of Hamlet? “Do not believe his vows”
Which lines show Ophelia’s characteristic trusting nature? “[Hamlet] hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,With almost all the holy vows of heaven”
What does Polonius tell Reynaldo to give Laertes? “Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo”
Why does Polonius tell Reynaldo in investigate his son’s behavior by gossiping about him to his friends? “Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth:And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,With windlasses and with assays of bias,By indirections find directions out”
How did Hamlet shock Ophelia? “He raised a sigh so piteous and profoundAs it did seem to shatter all his bulkAnd end his being: that done, he lets me go:And, with his head over his shoulder turn’d,He seem’d to find his way without his eyes”
What does Polonius say is wrong with Hamlet? “This is the very ecstasy of love,Whose violent property fordoes itselfAnd leads the will to desperate undertakings”
What does Ophelia say she did that her father identifies as the cause of Hamlet’s distraction? “…as you did command,I did repel his fetters and deniedHis access to me.”
What does Claudius say is the cause of Hamlet’s distraction? “What it should be,More than his father’s death, that thus hath put himSo much from the understanding of himself,I cannot dream of”
What does Claudius ask Rosencranz and Guildenstern to do? “I entreat you both,That, being of so young days brought up with him,And sith so neighbour’d to his youth and havior,That you vouchsafe your rest here in our courtSome little time: so by your companiesTo draw him on to pleasures, and to gather,So much as from occasion you may glean,Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,That, open’d, lies within our remedy”
What does Gertrude say will be Rosencranz and Guildenstern’s reward for spying on Hamlet? “For the supply and profit of our hope,Your visitation shall receive such thanksAs fits a king’s remembrance.”
What help in attacking Poland does Fortinbras ask in return for agreeing not to invade Denmark? “to employ those soldiers,So levied as before, against the Polack:With an entreaty, herein further shown,…That it might please you to give quiet passThrough your dominions for this enterprise,On such regards of safety and allowanceAs therein are set down.”
How does Polonius say that it’s best to speak clearly and concisely about Hamlet’s problem? to expostulate…Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,I will be brief…Madam, I swear I use no art at all….But farewell it, for I will use no art….and now remainsThat we find out the cause of this effect,Or rather say, the cause of this defect,For this effect defective comes by cause:Thus it remains, and the remainder thus. Perpend.
What love letter did Hamlet send Ophelia? “Doubt thou the stars are fire;Doubt that the sun doth move;Doubt truth to be a liar;But never doubt I love.O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers;I have not art to reckon my groans: but thatI love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu.Thine evermore most dear lady, whilstthis machine is to him, HAMLET”
What does Polonius tell Claudius and Gertrude was Ophelia’s reaction to Hamlet’s love letter and the effect on the prince? “she took the fruits of my advice;And he, repulsed–a short tale to make–Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,Into the madness wherein now he raves,And all we mourn for”
How does Polonius recommend he and Claudius verify his diagnosis of Hamlet’s distraction? “I’ll loose my daughter to him:Be you and I behind an arras then;Mark the encounter: if he love her notAnd be not from his reason fall’n thereon,Let me be no assistant for a state,But keep a farm and carters”
Why does Hamlet say he wishes Polonius were as good as a fish seller? “I would you were so honest a man”
How serious does Polonius think Hamlet’s case is, and how common? “he is far gone, far gone: andtruly in my youth I suffered much extremity forlove”
How meaningful does Polonius judge Hamlet’s ravings and why? “How pregnant sometimes his replies are! a happinessthat often madness hits on, which reason and sanitycould not so prosperously be delivered of”
What does Hamlet say he would rather lose than Polonius’ company? “You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I willmore willingly part withal: except my life, exceptmy life, except my life”
Why does Hamlet say Denmark is a prison to himself but not to Rosencranz? “’tis none to you; for there is nothingeither good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to meit is a prison.”
What does Hamlet think of Rosencranz and Guildenstern’s motives for visiting him? “Were you not sent for? Is ityour own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come,deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak….You were sentfor; and there is a kind of confession in your lookswhich your modesties have not craft enough to colour:I know the good king and queen have sent for you.”
What does Hamlet tell Rosnecranz and Guildenstern is wrong with him? “I have of late–butwherefore I know not–lost all my mirth, forgone allcustom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavilywith my disposition that this goodly frame, theearth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this mostexcellent canopy, the air, look you, this braveo’erhanging firmament, this majestical roof frettedwith golden fire, why, it appears no other thing tome than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.”
What ironic (but often quoted as if it were not) description does Hamlet make of human beings? “What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason!how infinite in faculty! in form and moving howexpress and admirable! in action how like an angel!in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of theworld! the paragon of animals!”
What does Hamlet say after the “What a piece of work is man” speech that clearly identifies that speech as ironic? “…to me,what is this quintessence of dust? man delights notme: no, nor woman neither”
Why does Rosencranz say Hamlet’s favorite acting company is not in favor at present? “there is, sir, an aery of children, little eyases,that cry out on the top of question, and are mosttyrannically clapped for’t: these are now thefashion, and so berattle the common stages–so theycall them–that many wearing rapiers are afraid ofgoose-quills and dare scarce come thither.”
What does Hamlet think of the change in theatre fashion? “It is not very strange; for mine uncle is king ofDenmark, and those that would make mows at him whilemy father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, anhundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little”
Why does Hamlet say his mother and uncle are wrong about his distraction? “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind issoutherly I know a hawk from a handsaw”
What does Polonius say about the company of players? “The best actors in the world, either for tragedy,comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical,historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, orpoem unlimited: Seneca cannot be too heavy, norPlautus too light. For the law of writ and theliberty, these are the only men”
What does Hamlet say to the young actor who plays the female roles? “What, my younglady and mistress! By’r lady, your ladyship isnearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by thealtitude of a chopine. Pray God, your voice, likeapiece of uncurrent gold, be not cracked within thering”
What speech does Hamlet ask the First Player to recite? “Aeneas’ tale to Dido; andthereabout of it especially, where he speaks ofPriam’s slaughter”
Which part of the First Player’s recital compares to Hamlet’s hesitation in revenging his father? “Pyrrhus’ …sword,Which was declining on the milky headOf reverend Priam, seem’d i’ the air to stick”
Which part of the First Player’s recital compares to Hamlet’s revenging his father after investigation of the case? “…after Pyrrhus’ pause,Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work;And never did the Cyclops’ hammers fallOn Mars’s armour forged for proof eterneWith less remorse than Pyrrhus’ bleeding swordNow falls on Priam”
What does Polonius first say about the First Player’s speech? “This is too long”
What could Hecuba’s cry have done, according to the First Player’s speech? “if the gods themselves did see her thenWhen she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sportIn mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs,The instant burst of clamour that she made,Unless things mortal move them not at all,Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,And passion in the gods”
What does Hamlet say would happen if we all got what we deserved? “use every manafter his desert, and who should ‘scape whipping?”
What play does Hamlet request, and what does he ask be added to it? “…can you play theMurder of Gonzago?…We’ll ha’t to-morrow night. You could, for a need,study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, whichI would set down and insert in’t, could you not?”
Why does Hamlet feel guilty after seeing the First Player speak so passionately of a fiction? “…I,A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,And can say nothing; no, not for a king,Upon whose property and most dear lifeA damn’d defeat was made. Am I a coward?…Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,That I, the son of a dear father murder’d,Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,A scullion!”
Why did Hamlet request the play he did, and what effect does he hope to affect with his addition? “I have heardThat guilty creatures sitting at a playHave by the very cunning of the sceneBeen struck so to the soul that presentlyThey have proclaim’d their malefactions;For murder, though it have no tongue, will speakWith most miraculous organ. I’ll have these playersPlay something like the murder of my fatherBefore mine uncle: I’ll observe his looks;I’ll tent him to the quick: if he but blench,I know my course…I’ll have groundsMore relative than this: the play ‘s the thingWherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king”
Why is Hamlet trying to be so careful in his investigation? Why not simply trust the ghost? “The spirit that I have seenMay be the devil: and the devil hath powerTo assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhapsOut of my weakness and my melancholy,As he is very potent with such spirits,Abuses me to damn me”
July 27, 2019