Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

Act 1, Scene 11. What do the three men watch for then see in the scene?

________________________________________________2. How does it react when they question it?

________________________________________________3. Who does it appear to be?

________________________________________________4. When (at what time of day) does it leave?

________________________________________________1.2

1. Who are Gertrude and Claudius?

________________________________________________2. What is seems to be Polonius’s job?

________________________________________________3. Why is Hamlet upset?

________________________________________________

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

1.31. Why does Laertes feel he must warn his sister Ophelia? Provide a quotation

that proves this.

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2. Does Polonius agree or disagree with this advice? Provide a quotation that proves this.

________________________________________________________________________________________________1.4

3. How do Horatio and Marcellus seem to feel about the ghost? Provide a quotation that proves this.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How does Hamlet seem to feel about the ghost? Provide a quotation that proves this.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

1.51. Paraphrase the ghost’s story of his death

________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What command does it give to Hamlet?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How does Hamlet respond to this command? Provide a quotation that proves this.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What does Hamlet make his friends promise?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Explain “antic disposition” (I.5.174-175). Use footnotes or web research if you need help.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. How does Hamlet seem to feel about his fate? Examine the last three lines of 1.5.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

Act 2.1.1-51. What does Polonius give Reynaldo?

2. What does he ask Reynaldo to do before he delivers the notes?

3. Infer who Polonius means when he says “his behavior” (1.5).

Lines 6-274. What does Polonius ask Reynaldo to tell any “Danskers,” Danes, he meets?

5. What type rumors does Polonius ask Reynaldo to spread?

6. What concern does Reynaldo have about spreading rumors?

Lines 28-617. Is Polonius economical in his use of language?

Lines 62-678. Paraphrase Polonius’ purpose for having Reynaldo spread rumors.

Lines 73-1169. How does Ophelia feel?

10. What caused her to feel this way?

11. Characterize Hamlet’s behavior in Ophelia’s story.

12. What does Polonius think has caused Hamlet’s behavior?

13. Explain whether or not Ophelia has followed her father’s orders concerning Hamlet. What has she done?

14. In 1.3, Polonius first told his daughter to ignore Hamlet and refuse to meet him or accept letters from him. Now he says this was a mistake. How does Polonius say he has misunderstood Hamlet?

15. What does Polonius now plan to do?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

Act 2.2.1-391. What does Claudius say about Hamlet when first speaking to Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern?

2. What does Claudius think has caused this?

3. What does he want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to learn from Hamlet?

4. What can you infer about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s relationship with Hamlet from Gertrude’s first statement?

5. Do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to Claudius and Gertrude’s request?

Lines 39-806. What does Polonius believe he has found?

7. What two possible causes for Hamlet’s insanity does Gertrude name?

8. Old Norway is the uncle of Fortinbras. What lie from Fortinbras did Norway uncover?

9. What does Norway’s letter say Fortinbras now plans to do? Where will he pass to do so?

Lines 85-15510. Polonius says he “will be brief” when he speaks (2.2.92); does he speak briefly?

11. Who sent Ophelia the letter that Polonius reads?

12. Does Gertrude believe Polonius’ theory?

Lines 160-22013. Explain how does Polonius plans to test his theory.

14. What does Hamlet call Polonius to prove he knows Polonius?

15. “A” means “he” in these lines. Does Polonius still believe love has caused Hamlet’s madness?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

16. Infer why Hamlet says what he does about old men.

Lines 220-27817. Infer how Hamlet feels about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when he greets them.

18. Why do they say they have come to the castle, to Elsinore?

19. Does Hamlet trust this answer?

Hamlet’s speech from “What a piece of work is a man…” through “…quintessence of dust?” is one of the most famous and most quoted pieces of writing ever (2.2.273-278). 20. How does he evaluate humanity to begin this passage?

21. What does Hamlet mean by “quintessence of dust”?

Lines 281-32822. According to Rosencrantz, what group is coming to visit the castle?

23. Explain the odd change Hamlet has noticed in how people treat his uncle.

24. State a theme to explain this change.

25. Does Hamlet’s “hawk from a handsaw” line seem sane or insane (2.2.321-322)?

26. What does Rosencrantz say about an old man? Explain how this is true.

Lines 2.2.408-27. The players’ speech tells of the Greek hero Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, and how Pyrrhus

killed Troy’s King Priam. The second section of this speech tells how Priam’s wife, Queen Hecuba, screamed with such pain when she saw this that it could move the gods of Greek mythology to cry. Why would Shakespeare include this passage?

28. According to Hamlet, why are actors and their opinions so important?

29. Hamlet asks to players to do a performance. How does he say he wants to change that performance?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

Overview 2.1-2.2Act 2.1.1-671. Paraphrase Polonius’ purpose for having Reynaldo spread bad rumors about his son.

2. Are Polonius explanations and plans simple or complex?

Lines 73-1163. How does Ophelia feel?

4. What caused her to feel this way?

5. What does Polonius think has caused Hamlet’s behavior?

6. Explain whether or not Ophelia has followed her father’s orders concerning Hamlet. What has she done?

7. In 1.3, Polonius first told his daughter to ignore Hamlet and refuse to meet him or accept letters from him. Now he says this was a mistake. How does Polonius say he has misunderstood Hamlet?

8. What does Polonius now plan to do?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

Act 2.2.1-391. What does Claudius want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to learn from Hamlet?

2. What can you infer about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s relationship with Hamlet from Gertrude’s first statement?

Lines 39-803. What does Polonius believe he has found?

4. What two possible causes for Hamlet’s insanity does Gertrude name?

5. Explain the Old Norway and young Fortinbras incident.

Lines 85-2206. Does Gertrude believe Polonius’ theory about Hamlet’s madness?

7. Explain how does Polonius plans to test his theory.

8. What does Hamlet call Polonius to prove he knows Polonius?

9. Infer why Hamlet says what he does about old men.

Lines 220-27810. Infer how Hamlet feels about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when he greets them.

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

11. Why do they say they have come to the castle, to Elsinore?

12. Does Hamlet trust this Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when they say the reason they came to the castle was to visit him?

Hamlet’s speech from “What a piece of work is a man…” through “…quintessence of dust?” is one of the most famous and most quoted pieces of writing ever (2.2.273-278). 13. How does he evaluate humanity to begin this passage?

14. What does Hamlet mean by “quintessence of dust”?

Lines 281-32815. Explain the odd change Hamlet has noticed in how people treat his uncle.

16. State a theme to explain this change.

17. Does Hamlet’s “hawk from a handsaw” line seem sane or insane (2.2.321-322)?

Lines 2.2.408-18. The players’ speech tells of the Greek hero Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, and how Pyrrhus

killed Troy’s King Priam. The second section of this speech tells how Priam’s wife, Queen Hecuba, screamed with such pain when she saw this that it could move the gods of Greek mythology to cry. Why would Shakespeare include this passage?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

3.1

3.1.32-161 (orange 3.1.31-177)

1. Where are Polonius and Claudius during this scene?

2. How does Hamlet treat Ophelia?

3. Why does he treat her this way? Make an inference; I want to know what you think.

4. Quote a line that supports your opinion and explain how it does so.

5. Why is Ophelia so upset?

6. What does Claudius think about Hamlet’s motivation for madness?

3.1.1-27 (orange 3.1.1-31)

7. What type of madness does Guildenstern say Hamlet uses?

8. What has Hamlet invited Claudius and Gertrude to see?

3.1.167-188 (orange 3.1.182-203)

9. Where does Claudius plan to send Hamlet?

10. Why does he say he should do so?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

11. What does Polonius suggest doing before sending Hamlet away?

3.2

1. How does Claudius react to the play?

2. How does Hamlet now treat Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Explain this.

3. Quote a line that shows Hamlet’s state of mind once he is alone. Explain the state of mind revealed in this quotation.

4. What are his plans in relation to his mother?

*At this point, is Hamlet a man of action or a man of hesitation? Explain why this is so.

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

3.3 & 3.4 Situational Irony3.31. What does Claudius want to do?

2. Why does he saying doing so now is useless?

3. What does Hamlet want to do?

4. Why does he hesitate?

5. When does he now plan to act?

6. Claudius never was able to truly ask for forgiveness. Explain what type of irony this creates and how it does so.

3.41. Explain “father much offended” word play.

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

2. Why does Polonius shout? How does Hamlet react?

3. Explain what type of irony this creates and how it does so.

4. Did Gertrude know Claudius had murdered Old Hamlet?

5. Does Gertrude see the ghost Hamlet sees? Make an inference as to why this is so.

6. What does Hamlet tell his mother about his madness?

7. Will she keep his secret?

8. Quote a line that proves how Hamlet feels about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and explain what it proves.

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

Answer the questions I have provided. As you answer them, create MLA citations for the lines in which you found your answers. Use your answers to the first few questions to create a theme as the answer to the final question for each scene.

4.1What does Gertrude tell Claudius about Hamlet’s mental state? Is this what she believes?

Who does Claudius fear will be held responsible for Hamlet’s actions? Why?

What does Claudius say he will do to Hamlet?

From the last two sentences, about whom is Claudius most worried?

What does this prove about love and family?

4.2What does the Hamlet call Rosencrantz?

Why does he do so?

Does Rosencrantz understand him?

Infer where Polonius body is hidden.

What does this prove about cleverness and understanding?

4.3How does Claudius describe Hamlet while he is loose?

Why does Claudius say he fears to punish Hamlet himself?

What does Hamlet say a king and a beggar have in common?

When he is alone, Claudius explains why he is sending Hamlet to England. What does he want England to do?

What does this prove about rulers and power?

4.4Where does Fortinbras say he is going?

Describe the land over which the Norwegians and Poles intend to battle.

Are both sides willing to fight?

What does this prove about their war?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

4.5With whom does Gertrude refuse to speak? Why would she do so?

What has happened with Ophelia?

What is Laertes leading? Who has sided with him?

Why is Laertes doing this?

How does Claudius calm Laertes?

4.7 (Beginning line 105 white, 121 orange)Explain Claudius’s plan?

Who has just died?

How did this person die? In your opinion, is this suicide?

At the end of the scene, what does Claudius tell Gertrude he had just accomplished?

What had he just done with Laertes?

Why motivation might Claudius have for warning Gertrude that her news has angered Laertes?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

5.11. Infer who the gravediggers are discussing; who is “she”?

2. What does the gravedigger toss out of the grave?

3. Who’s skull does the gravedigger hand to Hamlet?

4. Why have the king, Gertrude, and Laertes arrived?

5. What does the priest, a doctor in your book, mean by “her death was doubtful” (white 5.1.217; orange 5.1.234)?

6. What does Gertrude say she had wished?

7. Why are Hamlet and Laertes arguing?

8. Of what does Claudius remind Laertes?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

4.5-5.1 Overview

4.5What’s happened with Ophelia? Why?

What is Laertes leading?

How does Claudius calm Laertes?

4.6This is a very short scene not included in this film or in many other productions of Hamlet. During this scene, Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet saying he is returning to Denmark and he has a story to tell about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. That’s it.

4.7Explain Claudius and Laertes’ plan, all three parts.

Who has just died? How?

In your opinion, is this suicide? Why?

Claudius tells Gertrude that he just calmed Laertes; is this true?

Why might he say this to Gertrude?

5.1 (Use separate paper if necessary.)Write one sentence describing the gravedigger’s (clown’s) attitude, one for Hamlet’s attitude while speaking to the skull, and one explaining Hamlet and Laertes argument.

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

5.21. What do we learn about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

2. Osric is now our comic relief, which character does he resemble?

3. How does thinking about the fencing match affect Hamlet’s heart? What is Horatio’s advice?

4. “If it be now, ‘tis not to come…yet it will come. The readiness is all” (5.2.198-5.2.200; orange 234-237), readiness for what; what is the “it” that Hamlet considers?

5. What does Hamlet say to Laertes to before their fencing match?

6. Does Gertrude know what she is doing when she drinks? How does Laertes feel about this plan now?

7. How does Laertes wound Hamlet?

8. How does Claudius die?

9. What does Laertes do with his final lines? How does Hamlet respond?

10. What does Horatio want to do? Why does Hamlet tell him he must stay alive?

11. What are Hamlet’s final words?

12. What the final words Horatio speaks to Hamlet?

13. Explain the Fortinbras involvement.

14. Who has died during this play? Who still lives?

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Hamlet Questions by Scene Name: _____________

Review: List each character on the back of this page and write four sentences for each: one for his or her personality, one for his or her original attitude towards the world, one for the character’s final perspective on his or her place in the world, and one explaining his or her final fate.

Actor’s character sheets and blank scene.

5 groups, condense each act, perform with modern English but keep most important quotation from each scene, perform all five in class as review

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