Hamlet: Study Questions and Significant Quotations

Transcription

1 Hamlet: Study Questions and Significant Quotations Name: Use point form to answer the questions to help guide your study of the play. For the quotations in bold, fill in the speaker, to whom it is spoken, context, theme(s), and literary device(s) and character development. 1.1 Name the scene: 1. Where and when does the story open? What is the atmosphere, and why is Francisco happy to see Bernardo? 2. Why was Horatio summoned (think archetype)? What is Horatio's initial response to the story of the apparition? 3. What does the ghost look like, do, and say? Should they trust the word of a ghost?? 4. Why are there such intense war preparations in Denmark? How are Claudius, the dead King Hamlet, and Queen Gertrude related? 2. What is in the letter Claudius is sending to the ailing King of Norway? (Can you think of any parallels with Fortinbras and Hamlet?) 3. What does Laertes want from the King? How does Claudius respond to him? 4. Based on his first 64 lines in office ( ), how would you rate Claudius as a ruler? (Any connections to Henry VIII?) 5. Why is Hamlet grieving? How do Claudius and Gertrude treat his grief and what do you think of this? 6. Read Hamlet's first soliloquy ( ) carefully. What is it that is really bothering him about what has happened since his father's death? How would you describe the tone of his feelings (detached, impassioned, rational, ironic, or what)? Is this typical of a young person today who has suffered a loss? ( Oh that this too too sullied flesh would melt )

2 7. What is Hamlet's response to the news from Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo? Notice the way Hamlet questions them. How much do we know about how his mind works at this point of the play? This bodes some strange eruption to our state (1.2) A little more than kin and less than kind (1.2). Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not seems (1.2)... tis an unweeded garden,/that grows to seed (1.2)... Frailty, thy name is woman! (1.2) What advice does Laertes give Ophelia before he leaves? In your opinion, is this good advice, or is he being meddlesome? 2. What advice does Polonius give Laertes before he leaves (identify 3 key points)? 4. What advice does give to Ophelia and what request does he make of his daughter? Is he a good, effective parent? Why/why not? Should parents be involved in their children s dating life? 5. What do you learn of Ophelia s character in this scene? Can you make a prediction of what may happen to her later in the play? This above all: to thine own self be true (1.3) What does Hamlet think of the custom of drinking and partying and how does he fear it affects Denmark s reputation?

3 2. What mixed feelings does Hamlet have when her sees the ghost? 3. How do the others react to what is happening? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark (1.4) What does the ghost tell Hamlet he wants him to do? 2. What does Hamlet learned really caused his father s death? What has everyone been told? 3. How does Hamlet respond to this new knowledge? 4. What promise does Hamlet ask Horatio and Marcellus to make? Haste me to know t; that I, with wings as swift/ As medidation or the thought of love,/ May sweep to my revenge (1.5). O cursed spite,/ That I was ever born to set it right! (1.5). Act One: connections to A Man for All Seasons (character, themes, etc.)/questions/predictions Who is Reynaldo? 2. What does Polonius want Reynaldo to do when he gets to France? 3. What does this reveal about Polonius s character? What do you think of parents like this? 4. What has Ophelia so upset?

4 5. How does Polonius explain Hamlet s behaviour? Is he right? How could this be considered dramatic irony? Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth (2.1). 2.2 Fishmonger Scene with Polonius/Schoolfellow Scene 1. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, childhood friends of Hamlet, have been summoned by the King and Queen to spy on Hamlet. In your opinion, are they betraying their friend, or have they no choice? 2. How might you feel if your parents were to do something like this? How might you react? 3. What news do Voltimond and Cornelius return with from Norway? 4. How do the King and Queen react to Polonius s hypothesis about what is wrong with Hamlet? 5. What plan does Polonius suggest to test is his suspicions are correct? 6. What realization does Polonius come to about Hamlet s madness (lines )? 7. How do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern react to Hamlet s questions about why they are there? How does this give him a heads up to their purpose? 8. What private request does Hamlet make of one of the players? What does Hamlet plan to add to the play? 9. Why does Hamlet feel it necessary to 'test' Claudius? What does it reveal about Hamlet s character? Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit...(2.2). Though this be madness, yet there is/ method in it... (2.2). What a piece of work is a/ man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty!.../ And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?/ man delights not me... (2.2). O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! (2.2).

5 Like a John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause... (2.2). The play s the thing/ Wherein I ll catch the conscience of the king (2.2). Act Two: connections to A Man for All Seasons (character, themes, etc.)/questions/predictions 3.1 To Be or Not to Be and Get Thee to a Nunnery Scene 1. Have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern had any luck discovering what is bothering Hamlet? 2a. Closely examine Hamlet s most famous soliloquy on page 137 (lines 57-91). Summarize the arguments he is contemplating in this speech. b. Do the arguments Hamlet contemplates still have merit in today s world? Explain. 3a. How does Hamlet respond to Ophelia when she goes to return some of his gifts to him? b. Why does she say she must return them? 4. How does Hamlet treat Ophelia in this scene? Why is he being like that?

6 5. Is Claudius convinced that Polonius was correct about what ails Hamlet? 6a. What does the King plan to do about Hamlet at this point? Is this justified? b. Why do you think he wants to get Hamlet out of the picture? 7. Describe Polonius s plan to find out the truth about what s bothering Hamlet? Make a prediction What could possibly go wrong? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all (3.1) Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind (3.1). Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a / breeder of sinners? (3.1). I have heard of your paintings too, well enough./ God hath given you one face, and you make/yourselves another (3.1). Madness in great ones must not unwatch d go (3.1). 3.2 The Mousetrap Play/ Tis now the very witching time 1. Why does Hamlet want Horatio to watch the king s reaction closely during the play? What is it about Horatio does Hamlet admire? 2. How does Claudius respond to the play? Do you think Hamlet now has sufficient evidence to kill him and thus avenge his father s murder? 3. Predict how the private meeting between Hamlet and his mother will go. The lady doth protest too much, methinks (3.2).

7 ....hell itself breathes out/ Contagion to this world: now I could drink hot blood... (3.2). I will speak daggers to her, but use none (3.2). 3.3 Prayer Scene 1. What plan does Claudius have for Hamlet? Why do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern carry out these orders? Are they right to? (Do they remind you of anyone from A Man for All Seasons?) 2. What truth does Claudius reveal about his crimes? How is he like Cain (Biblical allusion). Why is he unable to appease his conscience? 3. At the close of this scene Hamlet has the perfect opportunity to kill Claudius. What argument persuades him to wait? How is this dramatic irony?. O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the/ primal eldest curse upon t...(3.3). Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;/and now I ll do t:and so he goes to heaven (3.3). 3.4 Gertrude s Closet/Portrait Scene 1. Why does Polonius hide behind a curtain in the Queen s bedchamber when Hamlet comes to see her (as she requested in 3.2)? 2. Why does Polonius yell from behind the curtain? 3. What does Hamlet do to Polonius? Who did he think he was doing it to? Are you surprised by his cold reaction to his death? 4. What does Hamlet confront his mother about that shocks her? Whose picture does he show her and why? 5. Why does King Hamlet s ghost appear? (Is it real this time or just a figment of Hamlet s imagination?) 7. What promise does Hamlet ask his mother to make? Is that significant to his character? 8. What does he tell her about his trip to England?

8 Though wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! (3.4) Do not forget: this visitation/ Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose./ But, look! amazement on thy mother sits...(3.4)....but go not to my uncle s bed./ Assume a virtue if you have it not (3.4). Act Three: connections to A Man for All Seasons (character, themes, etc.)/questions/predictions What is Claudius s main concern when he finds out Polonius is dead. Why does he consult his wisest friends (think Machiavelli)? How does Hamlet respond to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern s request to show him the location of the body? What reasoning does the King give his courtiers that Hamlet, mad as he is, must not be confined? 2. What plan has Claudius set in motion regarding the fate of Hamlet? 3. Do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern know what will happen to Hamlet in England? Do it,/england;/for like the hectic in my blood he rages,/ And thou must cure me (4.3).

9 4.4 Contrast with Fortinbras s Action 1. Who arrives in Denmark in this scene and why? 2. Why is Hamlet s guilt, regarding his delay in avenging his father s death, exacerbated by what Fortinbras men are preparing to do? (Remember, these two characters are foils.). How all occasions do inform against me,/ And spur my dull revenge (4.4). I do not know/why yet I live to say, this thing s to do,... (4.4)....O, from this time forth,/my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth! (4.4). 4.5 Ophelia s Madness Scene 1. What is wrong with Ophelia? Is this a fair portrayal of women? 2. Why is Laertes returning from France and what are his plans? (Remember, he is also a foil to Hamlet). 3. Why does Claudius feel he has to placate Laertes? 4. What promise does Claudius make Laertes? O, this is the poison of deep grief (4.5). I dare damnation...let come what comes; only I ll be revenged/ Most thoroughly for my father (4.5) What does the letter Horatio receives from Hamlet reveal? What question does Laertes have for Claudius once he finds out that Hamlet is responsible for his father s death? 2. What reasons does Claudius offer for not dealing with Hamlet for this crime?

10 3. What plan do Laertes and Claudius devise to deal with Hamlet? 4. What news does Gertrude bring of Ophelia? Act Four: connections to A Man for All Seasons (character, themes, etc.)/questions/predictions 5.1 Graveyard Scene 1. Whose grave are the men digging? 2. Whose skull does Hamlet hold up? What does he tell Horatio about that person? 3. What do we learn from Hamlet about death? 4. Why is Laertes upset about the burial? 5.2 Final Catastrophe 1. What further explanation does Hamlet offer Horatio about what happened while he was on his way to England? Why does he not feel guilty about causing the impending death of his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? 2. What wager has the King made on Hamlet s behalf? 3. How does Claudius plan with the poisoned wine backfire on him? 4. How does Laertes plan with the poisoned sword work out? 5. What one request does Hamlet have for Horatio about what has transpired? How does Horatio respond?

11 6. Who does Hamlet name as the next king, and why? I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers/could not, with all their quantity of love,/make up my sum (5.1)....there s a special/providence in the fall of a sparrow (5.2). Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric:/I am justly kill d with mine own treachery (5.2)..Horatio, I am dead;/thou livest; report me and my cause aright/to the unsatisfied (5.2). Now cracks a noble heart./good night, sweet prince... (5.2). Act Five: connections to A Man for All Seasons (character, themes, etc.)/questions/predictions