Hamlet

1. What is the genre of Hamlet?

Hamlet is a tragedy.



2. Hamlet’s soliloquies

a. Understand the meaning:
Hamlet’s soliloquies reflect his inner turmoil, thoughts about life, death, revenge, and the moral complexities of his actions.

b. Understand his reasoning for why he feels the way he does:
Hamlet feels betrayed by his mother’s hasty marriage to Claudius, struggles with grief over his father’s death, and feels paralyzed by the enormity of avenging his father.

c. Identify the literary devices he uses:

  • Metaphors: "Denmark’s a prison."

  • Imagery: "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt."

  • Allusions: References to Greek mythology (Niobe, Hyperion, etc.).

  • Antithesis: Contrasting life and death in "To be or not to be."



3. The tone at the beginning and end of each act:

  • Act I: Begins with a foreboding and mysterious tone, ends with determination as Hamlet vows to avenge his father.

  • Act II: Begins with confusion and manipulation, ends with Hamlet’s frustration at his inaction.



4. Horatio

a. Who is he? Why is he in Denmark?
 Horatio is Hamlet’s loyal friend, in Denmark to attend the late King Hamlet’s funeral and later stay by Hamlet’s side.

b. Role in providing exposition in Act I:
Horatio explains King Hamlet’s death, Claudius’s ascension, and the looming threat of Fortinbras, setting up the political and personal stakes.

c. What details does he reveal? Why are they important?
 Horatio discusses Fortinbras’ plans to reclaim land, the ghost’s appearance, and the old King’s valor, linking the supernatural to political unrest.

d. Quote:
"A mote it is to trouble the mind’s eye…climature and countrymen."



5. Young Fortinbras

a. Who is he?
 The son of the late King of Norway, Fortinbras seeks to avenge his father’s death by reclaiming lost land.

b. Why is he important? What is his plan? How is it thwarted?
 Fortinbras mirrors Hamlet’s revenge quest. His plan to attack Denmark is stopped when his uncle intervenes.



6. King Claudius and Gertrude’s reaction to Hamlet’s depression

They are concerned but dismissive. Claudius advises Hamlet to stop mourning and act as if nothing is wrong. Gertrude urges Hamlet to let go of his grief.



7. Laertes

a. Who is he? Why is he in Denmark?
 Laertes is Polonius’s son. He’s in Denmark for Claudius’s coronation but requests to return to France.

b. Request to Polonius:
Laertes asks for permission to return to France.

c. How does he feel about Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship?
 Laertes warns Ophelia to avoid Hamlet, claiming his love is fleeting and politically constrained.



8. King Hamlet

a. What is his role?
 The late King Hamlet’s ghost drives the plot by revealing his murder and demanding revenge.

b. What happened to him?
 He was poisoned by Claudius, who poured poison in his ear while he slept.

c. Who has seen him? When does he appear and why?
 The guards, Horatio, and Hamlet see the ghost. It appears to reveal the truth about his murder.

d. What does he tell Hamlet?
 The ghost tells Hamlet to avenge his murder but leave Gertrude to her conscience.



9. Polonius

a. Who is he?
 The Lord Chamberlain, father of Ophelia and Laertes.

b. Character traits through interactions:
Polonius is verbose, manipulative, and self-serving, often giving hypocritical advice.

c. Hamlet’s response to him:
Hamlet mocks Polonius and ridicules his foolishness, calling him a "fishmonger."

d. Feelings about Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship:
Polonius disapproves and believes Hamlet’s madness stems from his love for Ophelia.

e. Sending Reynaldo to France:
Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes, showcasing his distrust and manipulation.

f. Quote:
"This business is well ended…But let that go."

g. Quote:
"Slanders, sir…go backward." Polonius: "Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t."



10. Ophelia and Hamlet after she follows her father’s orders:

Ophelia rejects Hamlet under Polonius’s instructions. Hamlet reacts with anger and erratic behavior, fueling the belief that he’s mad. Polonius assumes Hamlet is mad with love.



11. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

a. Who are they?
 They are Hamlet’s childhood friends, summoned by Claudius and Gertrude.

b. Why are they at the castle?
 They are tasked with spying on Hamlet to determine the cause of his madness.

c. Interaction with Hamlet:
Hamlet quickly realizes their true purpose and mocks them while pretending to be mad.

d. Quote:
"I am but mad…hawsaws."



12. The player reciting the Pyrrhus and Priam speech

a. Who are Pyrrhus and Priam?
 Pyrrhus: The son of Achilles, avenging his father.
Priam: The King of Troy, killed by Pyrrhus.

b. Purpose of the speech:
The speech mirrors Hamlet’s struggle with revenge, as Pyrrhus hesitates before killing Priam.

c. How does it move the plot?
 It inspires Hamlet to devise the play-within-a-play to catch Claudius’s guilt.

d. Polonius and Hamlet’s responses:
Polonius calls it too long, while Hamlet is moved by the player’s emotional delivery.



13. Hamlet’s request to the players:

Hamlet asks the players to perform The Murder of Gonzago with an added scene that mimics Claudius’s murder of King Hamlet. This is to observe Claudius’s reaction.



14. Role of “acting” in the play:

Acting serves as a way to uncover truth (The Mousetrap play), reflect inner conflict, and blur reality and performance, central to Hamlet’s struggle with action versus inaction.



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