Hamlet Act I

Home

The curtain opens on what setting?

Elinore Castle in Denmark @ midnight

Why is Francisco happy to see Bernardo?

He was scared and his watch was over

Why has Marcellus begged Horatio to join in the watch?

So he can see the ghost

What does the ghost look like?

The king - he doesn't say anything

What was the outcome of the fight between king hamlet and Fortinbras?

King hamlet kills fortinbras

Why is there a need for a nightly watch on the palace?

They were vulnerable to attack from King Fortinbras

How are Claudius, the dead King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude related?

Claudius is dead Hamlet's brother, Prince Hamlet's uncle, but now stepdad, because he married dead Hamlet's widow Gertrude

What is in the letter Claudius is sending to the ailing King of Norway?

Request to give King Fortinbras the power

Who is Laertes? Why does he want to leave Denmark?

He is the son of Polonius (Lord Chamberlain / counselor to the King) and the brother of Ophelia. He wants to go to France.

Why is young Hamlet grieving? How do Claudius and Gertrude treat his grief?

His father died & his mother married his uncle. Claudius tries to balance the sadness with his "happy" marriage to Gertrude

Why is the King planning a celebration?

He's going to marry Gertrude

Who is Horatio? What does he reveal to Hamlet?

He is Hamlet's university friend from Wittenburg. He tells him that he has seen his father's ghost.

What advice does Laertes give Ophelia?

He tells her that Hamlet is not serious about her, and she needs to remain chaste.

What advice does Polonius give Laertes?

He tells him how to behave like don't get in a fight, but if you do, fight to win.

What two quotes does Polonius tell Laertes?

Neither a borrow nor a lender be"
"This above all, to thine own self be true

What advice does Polonius give Ophelia?

Don't be easy, consider yourself valuable, etc. He forbids her from seeing Hamlet.

How does Hamlet feel about the drunken revelry?

He says it happens often but he doesn't approve of it because everyone sees them and their country as drunks.

What mixed feelings does Hamlet have when he sees the ghost?

He is not sure it is his father or an evil spirit. Loving / evil

Why doesn't Horatio want Hamlet to follow the Ghost?

He doesn't want Hamlet to get hurt.

What does the Ghost tell Hamlet?

He says that he is the dead King Hamlet, and Claudius poured poison in his ear and caused his death.

How does the Ghost want Hamlet to treat Claudius? Gertrude?

He wants Hamlet to kill Claudius and avenge his death, but he doesn't want Hamlet to hurt his mother.

What does Hamlet make Horatio and Marcellus swear? Why?

Not to speak of what they saw (the dead king)

Horatio

Hamlet's closest friend

Claudius

Hamlet's uncle, but now stepdad�marries Gertrude

Gertrude

Hamlet's mother�marries Claudius

Polonius

Father of Laertes and Ophelia, counselor to King Claudius

Fortinbras

A Norwegian prince and opponent to Denmark

Where did Hamlet go to school?

Wittenberg

Where did Laertes go to school?

France

King Hamlet killed a man from what country?

Norway

Quote about heaven and philosophy

There are more things in heaven and earth Horatio that are dreamt of in your philosophy

Alliteration

The repetition of the same or similar sounds at the beginning of words

Antithesis

A figure of speech in which words and phrases with opposite meanings are balanced against each other

Apostrophe

Words that are spoken to a person who is absent or imaginary, or to an object or abstract idea.

Assonance

The repetition or a pattern of similar sounds, especially with vowel sounds.

Ballad

A poem that tells a story similar to a folk tale or legend and often has a repeated refrain.

Blank verse

Poetry that is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter

Carpe diem

A Latin expression that means "seize the day

Classicism

The principles and ideals of beauty that are characteristic of Greek and Roman art, architecture, and literature.

Conceit

A fanciful poetic image or metaphor that likens one thing to something else that is seemingly very different.

Consonance

the repetition of similar consonant sounds, especially at the ends of words