Hamlet, Prince of Denmark:

Summaries, Vocabulary and Questions

Act I, Scene i: apparition assail harbinger

∙ The guards and Horatio twice see a ghost that looks like the recently dead King Hamlet (young Hamlet’s father; same name). The ghost does not speak.

∙ Horatio explains the political and military problems between Denmark and Norway.

∙ Horatio and the guards discuss why the ghost might have appeared.

∙ They decide to tell Prince Hamlet about the ghost.

  1. Who is Horatio and why has he joined the guards on their watch?
  2. What has been happening politically between Denmark and Norway?
  3. Theatre was popular entertainment in the Elizabethan period and Shakespeare was an astute businessman. What has he included in this first scene to grab the interest – and entry fee – of a wide audience? (e.g. commoners/aristocracy, illiterate/educated, adults/children)

Act I, Scene ii:mourningdiscretionobsequious

∙Claudius, the new king, makes a speech to the court and conducts several points of court business.

∙Claudius and Gertrude show concern for Hamlet. Hamlet seems polite, but moody.

∙ In a soliloquy, Hamlet elaborates on his thoughts about his father’s death and recent events.

∙ Horatio and the guards tell Hamlet about the ghost. Hamlet decides to join them on the watch.

  1. Claudius announces and explains two key points in his speech to the court. What are they?
  2. What does Laertes request?
  3. What do King Claudius and Queen Gertrude want Hamlet to do?
  4. Read Hamlet's first soliloquy (1.2.129-59) 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?
  5. How would you describe Hamlet’s family situation?

Act I, Scene iii:prodigallibertinebeguile

∙ Laertes advises Ophelia about her relationship with Hamlet.

∙ Polonius advises Laertes about how to behave while he’s away in Paris.

∙ Polonius gives Ophelia strict instructions about her behaviour around Hamlet.

  1. Why is Laertes so concerned about Ophelia’s relationship with Hamlet? What about Polonius?
  2. What do we know about Laertes, Polonius, and Ophelia by the end of 1.3? What sort of people are they? What sort of family are they?

Act I, Scenes iv– v:sepulchresovereigntypernicious

∙ Hamlet keeps watch with Horatio and the guards. Hamlet talks about the drinking and festivities in the castle.

∙ The ghost appears and Hamlet follows it.

∙ His father’s ghost explains to Hamlet how he died.

∙ Horatio and the guards swear not to repeat what they have heard.

  1. What does Hamlet think of the court custom of parties and drunkenness?
  2. Summarize the ghost’s tale of how he was killed.
  3. On Day 1, you performed part of Scene i with a unique interpretation (e.g. bouncers, bingo ladies, hall monitors etc.) Now that you’ve read Act I, do you think you could use this unique interpretation for a stage or movie version? Why or why not? How would you create the ghost?

Act II, Scene i:wantonperusaltrifle

∙ It seems that several months have passed since Hamlet’s scene with the ghost.

∙ Polonius sends Reynaldo to Paris to deliver money to his son, Laertes, and to check up on him.

∙ Polonius describes Laertes personality.

∙ After Reynaldo leaves, Ophelia arrives upset. She tells Polonius about her most recent meeting with Hamlet.

  1. What does Polonius suspect of Laertes?
  2. Why is Ophelia so upset? Why might it appear to her that Hamlet is mad?
  3. Write a paragraph describing Polonius as a character. Use evidence from this scene to support your description.

Act I, Scene ii: afflict entreatyexpostulatesoliciting mirth remorseless melancholy

∙ The king and queen meet with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to ask them a favour.

∙ Voltimand updates the king on the situation with Norway and Fortinbras.

∙ Polonius tells Claudius and Gertrude about Hamlet’s attentions to Ophelia. They think his recent moody behaviour might be because he is in love.

∙ In a frequently analysed sequence, Hamlet appears as mad in a conversation with Polonius.

∙ Hamlet greets his good friends and fellow students, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They reveal that a group of players from the city has come to Elsinore.

∙ Hamlet and the chief Player talk about theatre (Hamlet is a fan) and decide what the players will perform at court.

  1. Why have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to court?
  2. What’s the news from Norway?
  3. Critics, actors and directors continue to debate if Hamlet is genuinely going mad or if he is simply pretending. What’s your interpretation and why?
  4. How seriously should we take Hamlet's view of the world and of "man" (295-312)? Explain.
  5. Why do you think Hamlet refers to Polonius as ‘Jephthah?
  6. Why does Hamlet decide to have the players peform ‘The Murder of Gonzago’?