Hamlet Jeopardy: Acts II-III Review

Comprehensive review flashcards covering plot points, themes, characters, and dramatic strategies in Acts II and III of William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Why did Polonius send Reynaldo to Paris?

To investigate Laertes's behavior and report back.

According to Polonius, why has Hamlet gone mad?

Due to Ophelia rejecting Hamlet's love.

What is the plan to find out if Hamlet’s behavior is due to his love for Ophelia?

To arrange for Hamlet and Ophelia to meet while they secretly observe.

Polonius warns that an appearance of devotion can be used to do what?

Disguise dishonesty or wrongdoing behind an appearance of goodness.

When Hamlet mentions Jephthah and his daughter, what does Polonius take the reference to be about?

Another sign of Hamlet's strange behavior, possibly connected to Polonius and Ophelia.

Why does Claudius summon Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Elsinore?

To discover the cause of Hamlet's unusual behavior.

What will Rosencrantz and Guildenstern receive for helping the king and queen?

A royal reward for their efforts.

Why does Hamlet suspect that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have come to Elsinore?

He believes they have been sent by the king and queen to investigate him.

Claudius sends Hamlet to England under the pretense of what, while secretly planning what?

A diplomatic mission, while secretly arranging for Hamlet to be killed.

What does it mean when Hamlet compares Guildenstern to an instrument he cannot play?

Guildenstern is trying to manipulate Hamlet, but Hamlet refuses to be controlled or interpreted.

What did Hamlet do to frighten Ophelia at the start of Act II?

Appeared before her disheveled and behaved strangely.

Which Norwegian prince redirected his military efforts toward Poland rather than Denmark?

Fortinbras.

Why do the traveling players struggle to find work?

Changes in theatrical popularity in the city.

Hamlet's conversation with Polonius suggests his “madness” is full of what qualities?

Intelligence, wit, and deliberate wordplay.

In the “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet explores what central conflict?

How to face suffering, uncertainty, and the unknown consequences of death.

What is Hamlet's primary purpose in staging the play-within-a-play?

To observe Claudius's reaction and test the Ghost's accusation.

What does Claudius's reaction to the performance of the play reveal?

He recognizes the play's murder as his own crime and reacts with distress.

Why does Claudius grow increasingly fearful of Hamlet, and what is he afraid Hamlet will do?

He thinks Hamlet will threaten Claudius's security and expose his crime.

In his Act III, Scene iii soliloquy, what does Claudius admit, but struggle to do?

He admits guilt for murdering his brother, but struggles to give up the benefits of his crime.

What three things make the end of Act III dramatically significant?

Claudius's guilt exposed to the audience, Hamlet's actions escalating the conflict, and growing danger around Hamlet.

In Gertrude's chamber, who does Hamlet kill mistaking him for someone hidden behind the arras?

Polonius.

Why does Hamlet spare Claudius while he is at prayer?

Killing him while he appears to pray would send him to heaven and not bring spiritual punishment.

During their confrontation, what does Hamlet urge Gertrude to do?

To stop participating in behavior he considers morally corrupt and reflect on her choices.

Why does the Ghost appear during the confrontation between Hamlet and Gertrude?

To remind Hamlet of his mission and prompt him to focus on Gertrude's behavior.

What makes Hamlet's decision in the prayer scene dramatically ironic?

The fact that Claudius admits he cannot genuinely repent because he won't give up what he gained through the murder.

Why is exposing the truth through the play-within-a-play more effective dramatically than a direct accusation?

The play lets Hamlet gather proof through Claudius's own reaction instead of relying on the Ghost's word alone. It exposes Claudius's guilt to the audience and the court without Hamlet openly accusing him, so Hamlet stays safe while the conflict escalates.