Hamlet Act 1

location

Elsinore castle

Barnardo, Francisco, Marcellus

member of the King's guard

Who comes to replace Francisco's night shift as a guard?

Bernardo

Who's standing guard with Bernardo?

Horatio and Marcellus

How many times have they seen the "thing" / ghost at night?

twice

What does Horatio think about the "ghost" Bernardo and Marcellus have been seeing?

He says its all in their imagination, so Mercellus asked Horatio to join them in guard duty so he can see the ghost for himself

When did the ghost of the dead king first come visit?

When the star to the west of the North Star moved across the sky to brighten a spot at 1am, always ahppens at 1am dressed like a warrior

What is the ghost of?

the dead king of Denmark

How does Horatio react when he sees the ghost?

• looks exactly like the dead king

  • because

    • hes wearing the exact armor the king wore when he fought the king of Norway

    • and the ghost frowned just like the king did when he fought the poles

• scares and makes him curious, asks the ghost to speak, pale and trembling

what happens when Horatio orders the ghost to speak?

the ghost leaves

Why have the people of Denmark been working so hard to build defenses?

rumors say the former king of denmark (Hamlets father named Hamlet) killed King Fortinbras of Norway when he surrended and gave up all the lands he possessed and conquered. Hamlet had the same deal if he lost and now Fortinbras son has gathered a group of soldiers to fight and regain the land taken by Hamlet, which is why the soldiers believe theyve been on gaurd duty and the recent hustle in Denmark

What happened before Julius Caesar was assassinated, and how does this have to do with Hamlet?

• graves stood empty

• while the ghosts ran through the streets of Rome

• shooting stars streaked

• the sky was red

• the moon was eclipsed

• there have been similar signs of disaster in Denmark

What happens after the ghost reappears and Horatio is yelling at the ghost to speak to him?

a rooster crows

What does the rooster do?

awakens the god of day and makes all wandering ghosts hurry back into their hiding places, and the ghost of denmark dissapearing when the rooster crowed is proof of this

What did the rooster do on Christmas eve?

Crowed all night long so that no ghosts go wandering and the night is safe for all

What color glow did they see?

red

Who do they think the ghost will speak to?

Hamlet

Claudius

Dead Hamlets brother, King of Denmark

Where does Act 1, scene 2 originally take place?

Claudius is getting married to Gertrude, the Queen

What does Claudius say about his brother?

He says that they must mourn him but learn how to move on as well.

What has Claudius written to the King of Norway?

Its Fortinbras uncle who doesn't know about his nephews goals. Claudius is telling him to stop Fortinbras plans.

What is Laertes asking?

to go back to France

Why is Hamlet dressed in black and all gloomy?

His father died a month ago and his uncle is marrying his mother. His clothes are an outward represenation of the grief he carries

What does Gertrude say that Hamlet corrects?

She asks why his fathers death "seems" like an issue to him when everything that lives will die eventually. And he says it doesn't "seem" like an issue, it is an issue.

What does Claudius tell Hamlet about his grief and mourning?

He says that all fathers die and his mourning is stubborn and unmanly. He says death eventually happens to everyone and its absurd to mourn.

What soliloquy does Hamlet have in the courtroom?

He says his fathers only been dead for two months and his mother is already remarrying to his uncle. He says his dad treated her so well and she already moved on.

What do Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo tell Hamlet?

They said they saw the ghost of his father last night and the 2 nights before that with a sad expression and very pale staring straight at them

What does Hamlet plan to do?

Meet the guards around 11 or 12 and see the ghost for himself.

What does Laertes warn Ophelia about?

He says that Hamlet doesn't love her (because she's of a lower class. Hamlet might have to marry someone of a higher rank in honor of his country. Even if he really loved Ophelia, he wouldn't be able to marry her)

What does Polonius tell Laertes?

Fatherly advice

- don't be stupid

- keep your mouth shut

- be careful with who you trust

- don't get into fights but if you do win

- don't borrow or loan money (will cause friendships to break)

- don't dress too fancily or too gaudily (poorly)

- keep your judgment to yourself

- "This above all: to thine own self be true."

What does Polonius tell Ophelia?

Don't be stupid and to end her relationship with Hamlet before anything happens

- Do NOT spend time with Hamlet

What does Ophelia tell Polonius about Hamlet?

She says he treats her well and shows her affection

What do the trumpet and cannon sounds mean?

The king is staying up late partying, dancing, drinking

What does Hamlet say about Denmarks tradition of partying?

He says countries criticize them for partying, calling them drunks and pigs. He says theyre right and that this single defect (excessive drinking and partying) will result in others always seeing them as corrupt or evil

What does Hamlet say when the ghost appears?

He says whether you're good or evil, I have many questions. Answer me and tell me why you've risen from the dead. Why? What should we do?

How does the ghost respond?

it motions for Hamlet to follow it

What do Horatio and Marcellus tell Hamlet to do?

Don't follow it and they try to stop him. They tell him that it could lead him to his death, the sea, a cliff that overhangs the ocean

What does Hamlet do in response to the soldiers resistance?

He says its his fate to follow the ghost and draws his sword telling them to stay back

What do they decide to do?

Hamlet follows it and Marcellus and Horatio follow them, knowing they can't stop him

Where does the ghost have to return to?

the flames of purgatory

What does the ghost make Hamlet promise to do?

avenge his death

What does the ghost say?

• the ghost of Hamlets father who walks the earth at night and confined to the flames of purgatory at day.

• hes forbidden to tell him the secrets of purgatory

• the official story is that a poisonous snake bit him while he was sleeping in the orchard

  • but the truth is that Claudius (his uncle) killed him by pouring a vial of poison in his ear while he was sleeping in the orchard.

• His brother then stole the queen and married her

What does Hamlet do when Horatio and Marcellus appear?

He refuses to tell them what he saw and tells them not to say anything. Forces them to swear upon his sword to never speak of what theyve seen