Hamlet and Paradise Lost Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and themes from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and Milton's 'Paradise Lost'.

Hamlet

A tragedy by William Shakespeare that tells the story of Prince Hamlet avenging his father's murder.

Elsinore Castle

The setting of Hamlet, located in Denmark.

The Ghost

The spirit of Hamlet's father who reveals the truth about his murder.

Claudius

Hamlet's uncle, who marries Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude, after the death of Hamlet's father.

Ophelia

Polonius's daughter, who has a complicated relationship with Hamlet.

Polonius

Father to Ophelia and Laertes, who believes Hamlet's madness is due to love.

To be or not to be

A famous soliloquy by Hamlet questioning the value of existence.

Revenge

The central theme of Hamlet, focusing on Hamlet's struggle to avenge his father's death.

Pandemonium

The capital of Hell in Milton's 'Paradise Lost', constructed by the fallen angels.

Satan

The main antagonist in 'Paradise Lost', who leads the rebellion against God.

Free Will

A key concept in 'Paradise Lost' indicating that humans choose their own paths.

The Fall

The biblical story of humanity's disobedience leading to their expulsion from Eden.

Redemption

The hope presented in 'Paradise Lost' that humanity can be saved through sacrifice.

Michael

The archangel who guides Adam and reveals the future of humanity after the Fall.

Eve

The first woman in 'Paradise Lost', who is tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit.

Humility

A theme in both texts, where characters face the consequences of pride and disobedience.