Hamlet – 1565 words – Flashcard
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Why has Horatio been asked to keep watch with the guards?
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Horatio is a scholar; he makes sure the guards are not lying.
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What is the political situation in Denmark and Norway that has caused the present state of national unrest?
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Hamlet's father has just taken the lands of Fortinbras, and he wants to reclaim those lands after his death.
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What superstitions about ghosts are revealed in the behavior and conversation of Horatio and the guards?
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Ghosts are known to have serious power back in this time period. It is natural that the guards might be afraid the ghost is haunting them.
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How does Claudius word his speech to the court so as to win approval for his hasty marriage and takeover of the throne?
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Claudius wants to try and balance out the sadness and happiness by marrying Gertrude.
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Why is Laertes, but not Hamlet, permitted to leave Denmark?
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Laertes wants to keep an eye on Hamlet; keep your friends close, but to keep your enemies closer.
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What is Hamlet's reaction to the news brought to him by Horatio and the guards?
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Hamlet wants to speak to the ghost; he is excited.
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The main action in Scene 3 is the giving advice. What is Laertes's advice to Ophelia?
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Laertes tells Ophelia not to marry Hamlet because Hamlet will have to marry someone for family reasons, not true love.
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Judging by his words and actions in this scene, what kind of person does Polonius reveal himself to be?
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Polonius reveals himself to not being very intellectual.
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How does Hamlet manage to break away from his companions in order to be alone with the Ghost? What is his emotional state?
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Hamlet threatens to kill someone who tries to stop him.
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What is Hamlet told about Gertrude's past behavior with Claudius?
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Gertrude has been seduced by Claudius.
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How does Shakespeare establish a supernatural aura about the figure of the Ghost?
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Shakespeare describes how miserable and natural the figure of the Ghost is.
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List the three specific commands of the Ghost to Hamlet. Can they be accomplished?
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1) Seek revenge. 2) Do NOT corrupt his mind. 3) Do NOT harm his mother.
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A great deal happens in Act One. What is the actual lifespan of this act?
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1 day
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What is Ophelia's advice to Laertes?
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To Laertes, it's something touching the Lord Hamlet.
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Explain Hamlet's comparison between the state and an individual in lines 23-38. What motivates him to make these remarks.
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The actor moves Hamlet after his story of Hecuba. Hamlet feels like he should have shown more emotion because he was directly related to his father who died. The actor showed more emotion than Hamlet did.
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Why was Ophelia so frightened by Hamlet's visit?
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Ophelia was so frightened by Hamlet's visit because Hamlet was very uptight and to Ophelia like he did not want to be round her anymore.
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How does Polonius react to her story? What does he intend to do about it?
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Polonius thinks that Hamlet is acting weird because he is in love with Ophelia and commands her to stop seeing Hamlet.
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According to Voltimand and Cornelius, how has the threat of Fortinbras to Denmark been eliminated?
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Voltimand and Cornelius talked to the King of Norway, and the King said that he rebuked Fortinbras for staging an attack against Denmark, and Fortinbras said that he would never again attack Denmark.
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How does Polonius make himself laughable in his report to Claudius and Gertrude on the probable cause of Hamlet's madness?
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Polonius says that making Claudius and Gertrude watch the play will show whether or not Claudius actually killed Hamlet's father. He asks Horatio to watch them so that he can prove that he is not crazy.
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At what point in their conversation does Hamlet realize Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are spies, how does he indirectly tell them he no longer trusts them?
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Hamlet accuses the two of being send by Claudius and Gertrude because he can see through the deception of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
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Although Hamlet bitterly denounces himself as "a rogue and peasant slave" and takes himself harshly to task for apathy and inaction, how does he nevertheless demonstrate intellectual and moral superiority?
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Even though he is extremely mad in this scene, he is still able to clear his mind and make a good decision on how to kill Claudius.
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What news do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report that pleases Claudius?
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Hamlet wants him to watch the play with him.
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What human griefs, according to Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy, would suicide spare one from enduring? What reason does Hamlet give for refraining from suicide?
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The human grieves include outrageous fortune and a sea of troubles. Hamlet refrains from suicide because he doesn't know what will happen in the afterlife.
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In his encounter with Ophelia, how does Hamlet demonstrate his conviction that "Frailty, thy name is woman"?
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Hamlet is able to do whatever he wants to Ophelia at this point, including pushing her around, and this shows that she is very submitting.
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What remark does Hamlet make that could be taken as a warning to Claudius?
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Those that are married already, all but 1 marriage shall live
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What are Hamlet's instructions to the players? Why does he lecture them in such extensive detail?
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Hamlet tells the players to make their act very believable so that Claudius will feel guilty.
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What causes Gertrude to remark, "The lady doth protest too much methinks"?
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The woman in the play is mourning too much over the death of her husband and she didn't do that for Hamlet's father.
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What point is Hamlet trying to make by forcing Guildenstern to make a recorder?
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He is trying to say that Guildenstern cannot play the recorder, so why does he try to play Hamlet?
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Why does Claudius have such difficulty trying to pray?
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Claudius realizes that in order to have forgiveness, he has to give up all of the things he has received from his sin, which he cannot do.
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What two requests does Hamlet make of his mother?
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To refrain from sleeping with her husband, and not to reveal his madness is not madness at all.
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How is Polonius's death a predictable conclusion to his life?
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Polonius died blindly behind a curtain and didn't know it was coming. This is predictable because he is a very "blind" person and doesn't get the ridicule that Hamlet gives to him.
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In holding up a "mirror" to his mother, what faults does Hamlet force her to see?
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Hamlet shows Gertrude how submitting she is. She is dirty because she married her ex-husbands brother and sleeps with him.
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Why does the Ghost make a reappearance?
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The ghost reappears to remind Hamlet that he still has to revenge his death.
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How does Hamlet feel about killing Polonius?
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Hamlet is upset and disappointed.
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What reason does Claudius give Hamlet for sending him to England?
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Claudius sends his nephew Hamlet to England to be put to death.
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Explain how the soliloquy in which Hamlet draws a comparison between himself and Fortinbras is similar in motivation and ideas to the "O what a rogue and peasant slave" speech at the end of Act II.
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He sees that he and Fortinbras share the same desire to avenge their fathers' deaths. They are both equally motivated and have clear thoughts even in the midst of madness.
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What has happened to Ophelia? What reason does Claudius give for what has happened?
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She had gone mad because of the death of her father.
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Claudius says, "When sorrows come, they come not single spies/But in battalions." What five major troubles does he list that must be simultaneously dealt with?
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1) Polonius dead 2) Hamlet gone to England 3) the people muddied and confused; spreading rumors 4) Ophelia gone nuts 5) Laertes come back from France
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What kind of entrance does Laertes make into the castle? Why?
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Laertes enters the castle enraged and ready to kill whoever killed his father. He just wants to avenge his father's death.
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What effect does the sight of Ophelia have on Laertes?
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Distraught, furious, and saddened
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What two reasons does Claudius give Laertes for not punishing Hamlet?
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First, Hamlet is popular and Claudius wouldn't want to start a popular uprising. Second, he doesn't want to cause pain to Gertrude, who he genuinely loves and does not want to hurt.
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Learning that Hamlet has returned, what plot do Claudius and Laertes concoct?
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Claudius and Laertes concoct a plot to kill Hamlet.
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Is Ophelia's drowning an accident or suicide?
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accident
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What does Hamlet find offensive about the behavior of the gravedigger?
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The gravedigger is messing with Hamlet at first, just like how Hamlet messes with other people.
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What ironic discovery does he then make?
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He discovers that all men will turn to dust.
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What provokes Laertes's outburst of anger to the priest officiating at Ophelia's funeral?
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The priest says that a proper Christian burial is not proper for Ophelia, because she committed suicide. This is what angers Laertes.
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What wager has Claudius made? What must Hamlet do to win it?
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Claudius says that if Hamlet can get the first two hits, or come back on the third, he will make his soldiers salute to him and give him a very expensive pearl.
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What causes Horatio to exclaim, "Why, what a king is this!"?
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Claudius ordered the execution of his own "son".
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Why does Hamlet agree to the duel?
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When Osric told Hamlet about the invitation to duel Laertes, Horatio knew something was up. He was almost able to convince Hamlet not to go, but then Osric said that if Hamlet doesn't go he'll be seen as a coward. After that, Hamlet made up his mind: he'll not be seen as a coward. Then after Osric left, Hamlet talked to Horatio about the sparrow and how death will come to men sooner or later, if he doens't die now, he'll eventually die, if he doesn't die in the future, he'll surely die now, the readiness is all. Hamlet then makes up his mind, if he'll die in the dual, then so be it.
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In what sense can both Laertes and Hamlet be regarded as victors?
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Both men avenge their father's death.
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Why does Horatio attempt to drink from the poisoned cup? How does Hamlet convince him not to?
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Horatio is very Roman, and in Roman tradition, they would rather die with someone important than by their enemy's sword. Hamlet tells Horatio that he needs him to tell his story to the people because he doesn't want to leave behind a bad reputation.
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In the few minutes that he is King, what does Hamlet accomplish?
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Hamlet gives the throne to Fortinbras.
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plot of Hamlet
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Prince Hamlet is depressed. Having been summoned home to Denmark from school in Germany to attend his father's funeral, he is shocked to find his mother Gertrude already remarried. The Queen has wed Hamlet's Uncle Claudius, the dead king's brother.
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Long live the King!
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Barnardo to Francisco the watchword (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 3)
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You are the most immediate to our throne
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King Claudius to Hamlet King is telling Hamlet not to return to school (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 113)
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O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into dew.
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A soliloquy of Hamlet He wishes he could cease to exist (Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 133-134)
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Let me not think on't; frailty, thy name is woman!
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A soliloquy of Hamlet He hates his mother and uncle's marriage Act 1, Scene 2, Line 150)
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Neither a borrower nor a lender be
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Polonius to Laertes Polonius is giving advice to Laertes before he goes to France (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 81)
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This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man
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Polonius to Laertes If you are true to yourself, you will be true to others. More advice to Laertes before he goes to France. (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 84-86)
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Something is rotten in the state of Denmark
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Marcellus to Horatio Something is wrong in Denmark; when Hamlet goes to speak to the ghost. (Act 1, Scene 4, Line 100)
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As I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on
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Hamlet to Horatio Hamlet's world has been turned upside down. (Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 210-211
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Brevity is the soul of wit.
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Polonius to King and Queen Ironic because Polonius is never brief - says this before he tells them the reason for Hamlet's madness (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 97)
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Words, words, words.
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Hamlet to Polonius In response to Polonius question about what Hamlet is reading. (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 210)
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Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.
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Polonius (aside) What Hamlet is saying is crazy, but there is a reason for it. (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 221)
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I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.
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Hamlet to Guildenstern Hamlet is only crazy when he wants to be; it is an act, and he is fully aware of what is going on. (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 402-402)
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More relative than this. The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King.
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Hamlet's soliloquy Hamlet wants to prove the King's guilt (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 633-634)
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Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
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Ophelia to Hamlet She doesn't want his gifts anymore because he is not who she thought he was. (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 111)
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Madness in great ones must not (unwatched) go.
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King Claudius to Polonius The King is worried for his own safety because of Hamlet's madness. (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 202)
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The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
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Queen Gertrude to Hamlet Speaking during the play; thinks the woman in the play should just marry the man and move on. (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 254)
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Give me some light! Away!
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King Claudius to gathered company This shows the King's guilt which is provoked by the play. (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 295)
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I will speak (daggers) to her, but use none.
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Soliloquy of Hamlet He plans to speak harshly with his mother. (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 429)
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O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven.
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King Claudius' soliloquy His crime is horrible; he says this when trying to pray. (Act 3, Scene 3, Line 40)
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My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; words without thoughts never to heaven go.
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King Claudius He cannot pray for forgiveness because he isn't sorry for what he has done. (Act 3, Scene 3, Lines 102-103)
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That I essentially am not in madness, but mad in craft.
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Hamlet to Queen Gertrude He is trying to convince the Queen that he is only acting, and not really mad. (Act 3, Scene 4, Lines 209-210)
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Whom I will trust as I will Adders fanged.
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Hamlet to Queen Gertrude Referring to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; doesn't trust them. (Act 3, Scene 4, Line 226)
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There's rosemary, that's for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies that's for thoughts.
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Ophelia to Laertes Demonstrates Ophelia's lack of touch with reality and developing insanity. (Act 4, Scene 5, Lines 199-201)
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To cut his throat I' th' church.
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Laertes to King Claudius Shows Laertes' desire to kill Hamlet (Act 4, Scene 7, Line 144)
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Sweets to the sweet, farewell.
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Queen Gertrude to dead Ophelia Sweet flowers for a sweet girl (Act 5, Scene 1, Line 254)
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The cat will mew, and the dog will have his day.
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Hamlet to everyone, especially Laertes Everything will happen as it is supposed to; says this after he tell everyone he loves Ophelia
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There's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will.
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Hamlet to Horatio Our destiny is fixed, no matter what (Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 11-12)
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That I have shot my arrow o'er the house and hurt my brother.
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Hamlet to Laertes He says this to prove his innocence in killing Polonius; he is sick with madness, not his fault (Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 257-258)
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But I do prophesy the election lights on Fortinbras; he has my dying voice.
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Hamlet to everyone Says Fortinbras will be the next king. (Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 392-393)
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Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
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Horatio to Hamlet His farewell to Hamlet (Act 5, Scene 2, Lines 396-397)
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tragedy
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a serious play concerned with the fall and death of a noble character, or the hero, who is in conflict with forces beyond his control
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tragic hero
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from high social position; tragic flaw (not perfect; imperfection); by the end of the play, recognizes and acknowledges his part in the tragedy
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tragic flaw
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imperfection
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protagonist
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main character, or GOOD character
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antagonist
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bad character; character directly opposed to the protagonist; in direct opposition to the protagonist
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narrator
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person telling the story
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foil
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character used to contrast to another character; character in contrast to another character
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aside
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a private remark to one character or to the audience that breaks convention because it is understood "not to be heard by other characters" onstage.
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soliloquy
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long speech in a play or in a prose work made by a character who is alone and thus reveals private thoughts and feelings to the audience of reader.
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pun
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form of a joke; play on words
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motif
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any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story
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catharsis
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purging of emotions
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dramatic irony
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contradiction between what a character THINKS and what the reader or audience knows to be TRUE
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monologue
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speech or performance given entirely by ONE PERSON or ONE CHARACTER
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plot
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the careful arrangement of incidents by an author to achieve a desired effect
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elements of the plot
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1) exposition 2) rising action 3) climax 4) falling action 5) denouement, or resolution
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How did King Hamlet die?
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King Hamlet died at the hand of his brother, Claudius, who poured poison in the king's ears while the king slept in the orchard.
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How does the story Hamlet begin?
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It starts on the castle battlements in Denmark, where the guards see the dead kings ghost, Hamlet's father. They bring Hamlet to the ghost the next night.
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What does the Ghost tell Hamlet?
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The Ghost tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, who is now the king because he married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, who is still living.
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How does the story Hamlet end?
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Laertes succeeds in wounding Hamlet, though Hamlet does not die of the poison immediately. First, Laertes is cut by his own sword's blade, and, after revealing to Hamlet that Claudius is responsible for the queen's death, he dies from the blade's poison.
