What's one thing the Ghost King wants Prince Hamlet to do? And what's one thing he doesn't want him to do?

Kill Claudius; do not harm Gertrude

Hamlet's pals don't want him to follow the Ghost. Hamlet's not afraid, though. Why?

He figures he has nothing to lose at this point; he's depressed / desperate

How long has it been since King Hamlet died? How long after the funeral did Queen Gertrude marry Claudius?

Death: Less than two months ago; Marriage: About a month after the funeral

1.3: What is Laertes' advice to his sister, Ophelia, in regards to Hamlet?

Don't fall for his nice words; he can't marry you anyways, as he's a prince

What ultimately convinces Horatio that the Ghost is real?

The Ghost wears authentic armor, and he frowns just like the king.

1.2: Claudius gives his opening remarks. Which is a line that should rub you the wrong way, much as it does Hamlet?

"Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen...have we...taken to wife."

What was the outcome of the conflict between old King Hamlet and old King Fortinbras?

Hamlet defeated Fortinbras and claimed ownership of Norwegian lands.

The Ghost is creepy, but what's the initial reason for the guards to be on such high alert?

Young Fortinbras is rumored to be planning a vengeful attack.

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," Marcellus famously said. What's that mean?

There's corruption going on all the way at the top. Something's not right.

Horatio cracks an early joke to show that he's not totally into this ghost hunt. Which line should an actor read wryly?

Horatio is asked if he's there. He replies, "A piece of him."

Claudius sends a letter to the King of Norway asking him to tell young Fortinbras to back off. Should we be skeptical?

Yeah, Claudius just said the King of Norway is "impotent and bedrid."

When King Hamlet was alive, did he live a life free of sin?

No, and that's why he's stuck where he is. He didn't confess his sins.

Claudius tells Hamlet it's "sweet and commendable" to mourn his dad, but he also needs to knock it off. Why?

Too much mourning is unmanly. Anyways, everyone dies. It's God's plan.

Hamlet tells the guys not to be surprised if he puts on an "antic disposition." What's that mean?

He's going to act bizarre; he'll be sane, but he's going to act crazy.

Because of its potential symbolic value, I love the manner in which King Hamlet's killed. How'd it happen?

Poison poured directly into his ear

1.5: Everyone thinks they know how King Hamlet was killed. But everyone is wrong. How so?

They think a snake bit him while he was napping, but Claudius poisoned him.

1.4: While Hamlet is out with Horatio and the boys looking for that Ghost, what's King Claudius doing?

Drinking heavily and hosting a very loud party

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Hamlet, Act I

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How well do you understand the first act?

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Questions 20

Answers

1
What's one thing the Ghost King wants Prince Hamlet to do? And what's one thing he doesn't want him to do?
Kill Claudius; do not harm Gertrude
Try out for the Elsinore basketball team; do not accept failure
Defeat Prince Fortinbras; do not spare any expense in fulfilling his fate
Analyze connections between style and meaning; do not refer to "the reader"
2
Hamlet's pals don't want him to follow the Ghost. Hamlet's not afraid, though. Why?
He's an experienced ghost hunter and has survived many close calls
This isn't his first time seeing this Ghost; he's had numerous encounters
He figures he has nothing to lose at this point; he's depressed / desperate
He's got a ghost...uh...fetish
3
How long has it been since King Hamlet died? How long after the funeral did Queen Gertrude marry Claudius?
Death: Less than two months ago; Marriage: About a month after the funeral
Death: Two weeks ago; Marriage: Less than a week after the funeral
Death: Yesterday; Marriage: Today
Death: About two years ago; Marriage: Exactly a year after the death
4
1.3: What is Laertes' advice to his sister, Ophelia, in regards to Hamlet?
Don't fall for his nice words; he can't marry you anyways, as he's a prince
Don't date him. He's into romance novels, anime, and lifelike figurines.
He's only after you for your money; he's never actually loved you.
He may seem a good guy, but be careful, as he's been known to get around.
5
What ultimately convinces Horatio that the Ghost is real?
The Ghost smells very much like the old King.
The Ghost displays freakish athleticism not unlike the old King.
The Ghost wears authentic armor, and he frowns just like the king.
The Ghost utilizes dad humor, just like old King Hamlet was known for.
6
1.2: Claudius gives his opening remarks. Which is a line that should rub you the wrong way, much as it does Hamlet?
"Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature that we...think on him..."
"Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen...have we...taken to wife."
"Young Fortinbras, holding a weak supposal of our worth..."
"We here dispatch you, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand...to old Norway."
7
What was the outcome of the conflict between old King Hamlet and old King Fortinbras?
Hamlet defeated Fortinbras and claimed ownership of Norwegian lands.
Fortinbras and Hamlet poisoned one another, then died in each other's arms.
Their armies battled for days, and both kings were killed in combat.
Fortinbras defeated Hamlet, leading to Claudius claiming Denmark's throne.
8
The Ghost is creepy, but what's the initial reason for the guards to be on such high alert?
Young Fortinbras is rumored to be planning a vengeful attack.
Prince Hamlet is unstable, and there's concern he'll leave the country.
Claudius is a sleepwalker, and there's concern he'll walk into the ocean.
With her husband now dead, Gertrude has requested additional security.
9
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," Marcellus famously said. What's that mean?
There's corruption going on all the way at the top. Something's not right.
Denmark will once again fall into an economic and political abyss.
The ghosts have returned.
The coastline near Castle Elsinore is deteriorating due to climate change.
10
Horatio cracks an early joke to show that he's not totally into this ghost hunt. Which line should an actor read wryly?
Marcellus: "Is it not like the King?" Horatio: "As thou art to thyself."
Marcellus: "Shall I strike at it with my partisan?" Horatio: "Do."
Horatio sees the Ghost and yells, "Stay! Speak! Speak!"
Horatio is asked if he's there. He replies, "A piece of him."
11
Claudius sends a letter to the King of Norway asking him to tell young Fortinbras to back off. Should we be skeptical?
No, letters between kings were known to be viewed with respect and honor.
Yeah, Claudius just said the King of Norway is "impotent and bedrid."
Yeah, the King of Norway has already declared war on Denmark.
No, Claudius said the King's nephew Fortinbras is "suppressed."
12
When King Hamlet was alive, did he live a life free of sin?
No, and that's why he's stuck where he is. He didn't confess his sins.
Yes, and that's why he's angry it was cut short.
No, but he's back to make things right.
Yes. He's back to do good by forming a crime-fighting squad with his son.
13
Claudius tells Hamlet it's "sweet and commendable" to mourn his dad, but he also needs to knock it off. Why?
He wants Hamlet to prepare for war against Norway. He can't be distracted.
Hamlet needs to prepare for college. He can't let one death affect him.
In Danish courts, there's a 1-month grieving allowance. More is excessive.
Too much mourning is unmanly. Anyways, everyone dies. It's God's plan.
14
Hamlet tells the guys not to be surprised if he puts on an "antic disposition." What's that mean?
He's going to act bizarre; he'll be sane, but he's going to act crazy.
While he'll wear a costume, he'll still be the same old Hamlet underneath.
He's going to be up to a variety of hilarious antics.
He'll be mean to Ophelia, but he still loves her.
15
Because of its potential symbolic value, I love the manner in which King Hamlet's killed. How'd it happen?
A poisonous concoction poured into his drink
Fed to the starving castle goats
A knife to the throat
Poison poured directly into his ear
16
1.1: What mood would you say is established in the opening scene?
Somber but optimistic
Jubilant, but with an eerie backdrop
Dark, sinister, and creepy
Cheerful, uplifting, and buoyant
17
Polonius gives a bunch of advice to Laertes before his son heads off to France for college. Above all, Laertes should...
Seek the truth from everyone he meets
Listen to Chumbawamba's 1997 classic "Tubthumping" on repeat
Find true love
Be true to himself
18
1.2.25: Claudius says, "So much for him." Him? He's talked about a few people. To whom could he logically be referring?
Only Fortinbras
Prince Hamlet
Only old King Hamlet
Fortinbras or old King Hamlet
19
1.5: Everyone thinks they know how King Hamlet was killed. But everyone is wrong. How so?
They know Claudius killed him, but they're part of the conspiracy.
They think his heart condition got to him, but he died of frostbite.
They think Prince Hamlet killed him, but it was actually Claudius.
They think a snake bit him while he was napping, but Claudius poisoned him.
20
1.4: While Hamlet is out with Horatio and the boys looking for that Ghost, what's King Claudius doing?
Climbing into bed with Hamlet's mother
Reading in his royal study
Drinking heavily and hosting a very loud party
Hosting diplomatic meetings with Polonius and other top advisers

Hamlet, Act I Flashcards | StudBud