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Hamlet Comp. ?'s

Hamlet Comprehension Questions

Question	Answer
When and where does the opening scene begin? What mood does that setting provide?	On a platform attached to a castle after midnight, scared and wary
Explain why the guard has invited Horatio to wait with them that night. Why are they so nervous?	Because the guard has seen a ghost so they want to prove Horatio that they saw one, Horatio doesn't believe in ghosts
List two political problems Denmark is suffering from as the play begins.	They are fighting with Norway and their king has just died
Why are the guards convinced that the ghost is that of Old Hamlet their dead king? Why do they think he has appeared?	They are convinced it is him because he is wearing his clothes he wore during the war, they think that he needs to tell them something
What does the ghost refuse to do? Who does Horatio believe might make it speak?	He won't talk to Horatio, but Horatio believes the ghost will talk to Hamlet
Drawing on his initial lines in the play, what kind of mood is Hamlet in?	Hamlet is upset over his father's death and his mother's marriage to his uncle
Why is Hamlet so angry with his mother and Claudius?	His mother married Claudius within a month of his father's death
Why do Claudius and Gertrude think that Hamlet should stop grieving his father's death?	Because everyone dies, but he needs to be happy that his mother is remarried
When Hamlet is finally alone, what feelings does Hamlet reveal in the soliloquy beginning "O that this too, too solid flesh would melt..."?	He is angry with his mother for moving on from his father so quickly and marrying his uncle; he thinks about killing himself
What news does Horatio bring Hamlet? What does Hamlet agree he will do that night?	Horatio has seen Hamlet's father's ghost and Hamlet agrees to go see the ghost that night
Polonius is full of his advice. List two suggestions	Never say what you are thinking, be neither a borrower nor a lender
Explain why Laertes is concerned about his sister's relationship with Hamlet.	Because Hamlet may say that he loves her, but he's not allowed to. He must marry royalty
Explain why Polonius wants Ophelia to avoid Hamlet's presence. How does she react to her father's demand?	He knows that Hamlet cannot marry her and orders her to stay away from him. She is not pleased with this, but says that she will obey
When Marcellus says that "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," what is he suggesting about Claudius?	That he killed Old Hamlet
Why does the ghost wish to speak with Hamlet alone? Why is Horatio frightened about allowing Hamlet to be alone with the ghost?	Because he needs to tell Hamlet a secret, he is afraid that the ghost will make Hamlet go crazy
What secret does that ghost share with Hamlet? What favor does the ghost ask of Hamlet?	That Claudius killed him and he asked Hamlet to revenge his death
What does Hamlet do to insure the guard keeps the secret of the ghost from Claudius?	He makes him swear on his sword that they will tell no one
What does Hamlet plan to do to trick and confuse Claudius about his plans for revenge?	He is going to act crazy
Deep in his heart, how does Hamlet really seem to feel about avenging his father's death?	He isn't happy about being chosen to avenge his father's death and feels that it is bad luck
Why does Polonius send his agent Reynaldo to Paris where Laertes is at school? What does his action suggest about Polonius' true nature and his relationship with his son?	Reynaldo is sent to find out what Laertes has been doing and spread a couple of rumors. Polonius isn't very trusting of his son.
What story does Ophelia tell her father about Hamlet's encounter with her in her quarter's?	She tells of how he came to her room, stared intently at her, and the left.
Why was Ophelia's encounter with Hamlet so upsetting to Ophelia?	She still loved Hamlet and knew that she was hurting him.
What does Polonius think caused Hamlet's strange behavior? To whom will Polonius immediately want to tell this news?	Polonius thinks that Hamlet is lovesick and wants to tell the king, Claudius.
Why has Claudius invited Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Elsinore?	To find out why Hamlet has gone crazy and to spy on Hamlet
What news does Voltemand bring about the war in Norway?	Fortinbras has vowed never to fight Denmark again and is now fighting Poland.
Polonius loves to talk. Why is it ironic that he of all people says that "Brevity is the soul of wit,"?	Because he is saying that smart people are brief and get right to the point when they are speaking and he is not.
What information does Polonius bring Gertrude and Claudius about Hamlet? What does Polonius suggest to Claudius that they do to confirm whether or not Hamlet's madness is caused by love?	He informs them that Hamlet is in love with Ophelia; he suggests that they make her go see Hamlet, while they watch, to prove he is lovesick
Why is Hamlet uneasy with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's visit?	Because they aren't being supportive and are acting suspicious.
Does Polonius learn anything of value from meeting with Hamlet? How does Hamlet treat him?	He learns that Hamlet is quick-witted and that the only thing he can take from Hamlet is his life, Hamlet insults him multiple times
Why is Hamlet so upset over the actor's description of the death of Priam and the grief of Hecuba?	Because the actor didn't even know Hecuba but he was crying for her
How does Hamlet plan to use the player's performance of his little scene to force Claudius to reveal his guilt?	He is going to insert a speech into the player's performance to make Claudius admit that he murdered Old Hamlet.
In the soliloquy ending scene II Hamlet again seems disgusted with himself. What angers him?	He can't express his emotions, or reveal that Claudius killed his father, or act on the fact that Claudius killed Old Hamlet.
What do Claudius and Polonius hope to observe while spying on Hamlet's meeting with Ophelia?	Proof that the reason for Hamlet's madness is that he is lovesick
In an aside in act III, Claudius for the first time, speaks his inner thoughts. What does he seem to admit to the audience? What in other words is his "Heavy Burden?"	He admits that it is a "heavy burden" to keep lying and acting like he is innocent and hasn't done anything wrong. "Heavy burden" in other words is the murder of his brother.
Hamlet's fourth soliloquy, occurring in act III, may be the most famous speech written by Shakespeare. What choices does Hamlet see he has at this moment?	His choices are either to live or to die.
Why is Hamlet so rude to Ophelia? How does she react to this treatment?	He is rude because he is hurt by her words and actions and knows that her father and his uncle were spying on them. She thinks he is acting that way because he has gone mad
After observing Hamlet with Ophelia, what does Polonius conclude about his madness? What does Claudius think?	Polonius concludes that Hamlet's madness is in fact because of his love-sickness for Ophelia. Claudius, on the other hand, thinks that Hamlet isn't in love with Ophelia and that nothing he said sounded crazy
What advice does Hamlet give the players before their performance?	He tells them not to overdo it and not to have too many gestures.
Whom will Horatio be watching closely during the performance?	The king, Claudius
While the players are performing, Hamlet jokes and teases with Ophelia. This posture allows him to verbally needle those around him. Describe one dig that Hamlet delivers against his mother or Claudius while sitting with Ophelia.	Hamlet said that the woman in the play would keep her word not to marry again but that his mother didn't.
At what point in the performance does Claudius abruptly stand and leave? Why does Hamlet consider this timing significant and telling?	When the king is poisoned; Hamlet considers this to be proof that Claudius killed Old Hamlet.
How does Hamlet treat Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when they come to summon him to the queen?	He tells them that he won't talk to them and that they can't control him. He is rather rude
Why did Gertrude send for Hamlet following her departure from the performance?	She wanted to talk to him because his behavior offended her.
How does Hamlet emotionally prepare himself before going to see his mother?	He tells himself that he will speak daggers to her but he won't actually use any.
What does Claudius plan to do to protect himself from Hamlet?	He is going to send Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
What role does he ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to assume in his plan to silence Hamlet?	He is going to send them to England with Hamlet
What does Polonius offer to do while Gertrude and Hamlet speak privately?	He offers to listen from behind a curtain
Left alone in his chapel, what does Claudius admit in his soliloquy?	He admits that he killed his brother
Why doesn't Hamlet take the opportunity to kill the defenseless Claudius while he prays?	Because then he will go to heaven. Hamlet must kill him while Claudius is sinning.
How does Polonius die?	Hamlet thought Claudius was hiding behind the curtain when it was Polonius; Hamlet stabbed him
How does the queen react to his death? What does Hamlet feel?	She says that it was an impetuous and murderous deed, Hamlet feels like it was Polonius's fault
Hamlet forces Gertrude to compare her husbands by examining two portraits of them. What are some of the differences he wants her to see?	How Old Hamlet was god-like and perfect and how Claudius is disgusting and killed his brother
Who enters the scene as Hamlet and his mother are arguing?	The ghost of Old Hamlet
Why did the ghost of Old Hamlet come while Hamlet and his mother were arguing?	To remind Hamlet of his task and to tell him to leave his mother alone
How does Hamlet react to his father's ghost appearing while arguing with his mother? What does the queen think watching her son?	Hamlet listens to the ghost and does what he says. The queen thinks Hamlet really has gone crazy
What two promises has Gertrude made her son before he leaves?	That she won't sleep with Claudius and she won't tell him anything Hamlet said
How does Claudius react to the news of Polonius' death? What worries him most about the death?	He's glad that it wasn't him that was killed; Claudius is worried that everyone will blame him and that Hamlet will kill him
How does Hamlet treat Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when they arrive looking for Polonius' body?	He treats them as if they are stupid and acts really crazy because he knows that they are working for the king
What does Claudius decide to do with Hamlet in England?	Have the King of England kill him
As he waits to board a boat for England, Hamlet observes Fortinbras' army marching to war. What does the re-arrival of Fortinbras at this point in the play suggest?	It shows Hamlet yet again that he should be avenging his father's death because he has passion and motive; Fortinbras has neither but yet he is still fighting
What clues do Ophelia's ramblings give about the causes pf her madness?	Her father's death and her love for Hamlet
Why is Ophelia's madness potentially dangerous to Claudius the king?	Because she may make more people more upset about Polonius's death
Why has Laertes returned to Denmark? Why might Claudius find his return dangerous as well?	Laertes has returned because he heard about his father's death; the people wish to make Laertes king
Explain how Claudius skillfully redirects Laertes' anger to gain advantage over not only Laertes but also Hamlet.	Claudius is speaking in a way that makes Laertes think he is on his side; he compliments him and tells him that he is not the one who killed Polonius
Who sends Horatio a letter? What does the letter say?	Hamlet sent a letter saying that he was kidnapped and for Horatio to join him
What excuse does Claudius give Laertes for failing to punish Hamlet directly?	Gertrude loves Hamlet a lot and so do the people so he didn't want to turn them against him
How does Claudius trick Laertes into killing Hamlet for him?	He has convinced Laertes that he wants to revenge his father's death and that Hamlet deserves to die
Where and how does Ophelia die?	Ophelia was hanging wreaths from a tree when the branch broke and she fell in a brook and drowned
What kinds of subjects do the gravediggers discuss as the prepare the ground for Ophelia's burial?	The gravediggers talked about how Ophelia died and if it was suicide or not
Who skull does Hamlet examine closely?	Yorick, the king's jester
At what point does Hamlet figure out who is to be buried that morning?	When Laertes says, "my sister will be a ministering angel."
Why is Laertes so angry over the manner of Ophelia's burial?	He is angry because he wants her to have a proper burial and doesn't believe she killed herself
Why do Laertes and Hamlet fight over Ophelia's grave? Who stops the fight?	They fight because Laertes thinks it's Hamlet's fault that Ophelia died and Hamlet explains that he loved her very much; the king, Claudius
How did Hamlet foil Claudius's attempt to have him killed in England?	Hamlet wrote a new set of orders for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and got them killed
Why is Hamlet embarrassed over his fight with Laertes?	Because he realizes that they are in a similar situation and that he would've been upset too
Who has replaced Polonius at court? What request does this person bring to Hamlet from Claudius? Does Hamlet agree to the request?	Osric comes to tell Hamlet that Claudius wants him to fight Laertes; Hamlet agrees
How many points must Hamlet beat Laertes by to win the math? What will Laertes win if he beats Hamlet? What will Hamlet win by beating Laertes?	Hamlet has to beat Laertes by three; Laertes will win six Barbary horses and Hamlet will win six French swords
Gertrude accidentally drinks from the poisoned cup meant for Hamlet. Why doesn't Claudius forcefully stop her? What does this show of his true nature?	He doesn't try very hard to stop her because he doesn't care about her or love her; this shows how heartless Claudius is
Explain what went wrong in the contest between Laertes and Hamlet so that not only was Hamlet poisoned but also Laertes.	Laertes cut Hamlet, then they both dropped their swords and fought, and when they picked up their swords again they switched and Hamlet cut Laertes.
Explain how both Laertes and Hamlet get revenge against Claudius before they die.	Laertes tells Hamlet that it was Claudius's fault; Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword and forces him to drink the poison
Explain why Hamlet wants Horatio in particular to live and tell his story.	He wants Horatio to live because he knows that he will tell the truth and make sure everyone knows
What character returns at the end of the scene and in all probability will become the new ruler of Denmark? What particular talent does that character seem to share with Old Hamlet?	Fortinbras returns, he seems to share Old Hamlet's ability to lead and his sense of fairness

Created by: smorse

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