Hamlet: Characters and Literary Devices

Flashcards about Hamlet characters and literary devices.

Who is Ophelia in Hamlet?

The daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes, noblewoman, and Hamlet's love interest.

What causes Ophelia's tragic descent in Hamlet?

Manipulation by those around her, her father’s death, and Hamlet’s rejection.

How does Ophelia die?

She drowns in a stream; it is unclear whether it’s an accident or suicide.

Who is Hamlet?

The Prince of Denmark and the protagonist of the play; son of the former King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude.

What is Hamlet's primary goal?

To avenge his father's murder by his uncle Claudius.

How does Hamlet die?

In a duel with Laertes, poisoned by a sword. He also kills Claudius before his death.

Who is Claudius?

Hamlet’s uncle, who becomes the new king of Denmark after murdering his brother, King Hamlet.

How does Claudius die?

He is killed by Hamlet, who forces him to drink poisoned wine and stabs him.

Who is Horatio?

Hamlet's loyal friend and confidant, a scholar.

What role does Horatio play at the end of the play?

He survives and is left to tell Hamlet’s story.

Who is Laertes?

Ophelia’s brother and the son of Polonius.

What motivates Laertes' actions?

He seeks to avenge his father's death.

How does Laertes die?

He is mortally wounded by the poisoned sword in a duel with Hamlet.

Who is Gertrude?

Hamlet’s mother and the Queen of Denmark, who remarries Claudius after her husband's death.

How does Gertrude die?

She drinks from a poisoned cup meant for Hamlet and dies after realizing Claudius’s betrayal.

Who is Fortinbras?

The Prince of Norway, seeking to reclaim land lost to Denmark.

What role does Fortinbras have at the end of Hamlet?

He becomes the new King of Denmark after Hamlet’s death.

Who is Yorick?

The court jester who served Hamlet in his childhood.

What is the significance of Yorick's skull?

It becomes a memento for Hamlet to contemplate mortality.

What is dramatic irony?

When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Give an example of dramatic irony in Hamlet.

The audience knows that Claudius murdered King Hamlet, but most characters do not.

What is a foil in literature?

A character who contrasts with another to highlight certain traits.

Who are foils to Hamlet in the play?

Laertes and Fortinbras.

Define tragic hero.

A protagonist of noble birth with a tragic flaw that leads to downfall.

How is Hamlet a tragic hero?

He is a prince with a tragic flaw of indecision and overthinking.

Define deus ex machina.

A sudden, unexpected resolution or intervention that solves a seemingly unsolvable problem.

What is a mild example of deus ex machina in Hamlet?

Fortinbras’s sudden arrival at the end, restoring order after the Danish royal family is dead.

What is a monologue?

A long speech by one character spoken to other characters.

Where does a monologue occur in Hamlet?

Hamlet’s advice to the players in Act III, Scene 2.

What is allusion?

A reference to a well-known person, event, or text.

Give an example of allusion in Hamlet.

Hamlet references Julius Caesar in Act I, Scene 1 and other classical stories.

What is hamartia?

The tragic flaw or error in judgment of the tragic hero.

What is Hamlet's hamartia?

His tendency to overthink and hesitate.

What is a soliloquy?

A speech by a character alone on stage, revealing inner thoughts.

Name a famous soliloquy in Hamlet.

To be, or not to be… (Act III, Scene 1).