DOCSLIB.ORG

Hamlet Study Guide10comp

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hamlet Study Guide10comp Hamlet Study Guide Levels Two & Three Wilson Know the Characters: Hamlet – Prince of Denmark Claudius – Hamlet’s Uncle; he was recently crowned king of Denmark Gertrude – Queen of Denmark; Hamlet’s mother Polonius – Advisor to the King Ophelia – Hamlet’s love interest; Polonius’ daughter Laertes – Polonius’ son Ophelia’s brother Horatio – Hamlet’s best friend; voice of reason in the play Fortinbras – Prince of Norway; wants to regain land lost by his father Courtiers: Rosencrantz – Noblemen and acquaintances of Hamlet invited to cheer him Guildenstern – up Osric - Cornelius Voltemand – Ambassador charged with going to Norway Officers, Soldiers, and Servants: Francisco – Marcellus – Soldiers who first witness the ghost while on guard Bernardo – Reynaldo – Servant to Polonius Act One, Scene One 1. What is the setting for the play? Denmark; Elsinore Castle 2. What are Bernardo and Francisco doing at the beginning of the play? They are on watch waiting for their replacements. 3. What is going on that makes this necessary? There is a military threat from Norway, in the form of Young Fortinbras. 4. Why is Horatio summoned to the roof of the castle? The want him to witness and/or validate the appearance of the ghost of the dead king. 5. What decision does Horatio make after witnessing what he does? He decides to tell young Hamlet, because he thinks the ghost will speak to him. Act One, Scene Two 6. What has recently happened in Hamlet’s family? His father died and his mother married his uncle. 7. Why is Hamlet being scolded by his uncle? His uncle feels Hamlet has been mourning his father for too long. His mother, Gertrude, tells him to stop dressing in dark clothing. 8. What does Laertes request of the King? Laertes asks for permission to return to France. 9. How is Hamlet responding to his Uncle? What literary technique Shakespeare using, explain and cite examples. He is speaking in puns, plays on words. Examples include “Aye, Madam I am too much i’ the sun.” and “A little more than kin and less than kind.” He speaks in puns so he can criticize Claudius without being accused of rudeness. He always has another (more innocent) meaning to fall back on. 10. What is the audience’s first impression of the prince? Opinion – perhaps intelligent, moody, depressed, etc. 11. What is a Soliloquy? What is the purpose? How is different from a monologue? Monologues and soliloquies are both long speeches by a single character. A soliloquy is when a character is alone on stage. The purpose is to share his or her thoughts with the audience. 12. When is Hamlet’s first soliloquy? What is the topic? After his mother and uncle leave, he is contemplating suicide; he will not do it because it is against his religion. He also discusses his hatred for his uncle. 13. What does this say about his mental state? He is depressed and hopeless; he no longer sees the beauty in things. 14. How do Hamlet and Horatio know each other? They went to school together in Wittenberg 15. Horatio is a very important character of in the play. He is depicted as being rational and scientific. Why might these characteristics be important when put into contrast with Hamlet? Hamlet can be irrational and overly emotional; he needs Horatio as a grounding force. The audience needs Horatio so they know what to believe. 16. How is the ghost dressed? How is this interpreted? The ghost is dressed in armor; it is interpreted as foreshadowing a war. 17. What is the plan? Hamlet will accompany them on the watch and try to speak to the ghost. Act One, Scene Three 18. What advice does Laertes receive from his father before leaving? Polonius advises his son of many things including; not to borrow or lend money, choose his friends carefully, do not fight (but if you have to win), and to be true to himself. 19. What warning does Laertes give his sister Ophelia? That she should be careful of er heart and body when dealing with Hamlet. 20. What is her response? She tells him she will listen if he follows his own advice. Act One, Scene Four 21. What does the ghost want Hamlet to do? The ghost wants Hamlet to follow him to a more private location. Act One, Scene Five 22. Describe the scene between Hamlet and the ghost of his father? Hamlet questions the ghost; we find out that the ghost cannot rest because his sins were un-confessed when he died. 23. What information does Hamlet get from the ghost? He finds out that Claudius killed the king by pouring poison in his ear. Everyone else believes that the king died because he was bitten by a snake. 24. What instruction does the ghost give Hamlet? He instructs him to kill Claudius but leave Gertrude to her own guilt. 25. What is Hamlet’s response? He agrees and says he had a bad feeling about his uncle all along. 26. What does Hamlet make the other witnesses swear? Who are the other witnesses? He makes them swear an oath that they will not reveal what they have seen; Marcellus and Horatio. He also warns them that he may appear crazy. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Tragedy of Hamlet
    THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET THE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET EDITED BY EDWARD DOWDEN n METHUEN AND CO. 36 ESSEX STREET: STRAND LONDON 1899 9 5 7 7 95 —— CONTENTS PAGE Introduction ix The Tragedy of Hamlet i Appendix I. The "Travelling" of the Players. 229 Appendix II.— Some Passages from the Quarto of 1603 231 Appendix III. Addenda 235 INTRODUCTION This edition of Hamlet aims in the first place at giving a trustworthy text. Secondly, it attempts to exhibit the variations from that text which are found in the primary sources—the Quarto of 1604 and the Folio of 1623 — in so far as those variations are of importance towards the ascertainment of the text. Every variation is not recorded, but I have chosen to err on the side of excess rather than on that of defect. Readings from the Quarto of 1603 are occa- sionally given, and also from the later Quartos and Folios, but to record such readings is not a part of the design of this edition. 1 The letter Q means Quarto 604 ; F means Folio 1623. The dates of the later Quartos are as follows: —Q 3, 1605 161 1 undated 6, For ; Q 4, ; Q 5, ; Q 1637. my few references to these later Quartos I have trusted the Cambridge Shakespeare and Furness's edition of Hamlet. Thirdly, it gives explanatory notes. Here it is inevitable that my task should in the main be that of selection and condensation. But, gleaning after the gleaners, I have perhaps brought together a slender sheaf.
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of Paternal Models of Authority and Filial Duty in Shakespeare’S Hamlet
    The Dilemma of Shakespearean Sonship: An Analysis of Paternal Models of Authority and Filial Duty in Shakespeare’s Hamlet The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Mosley, Joseph Scott. 2017. The Dilemma of Shakespearean Sonship: An Analysis of Paternal Models of Authority and Filial Duty in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Master's thesis, Harvard Extension School. Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:33826315 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA The Dilemma of Shakespearean Sonship: An Analysis of Paternal Models of Authority and Filial Duty in Shakespeare’s Hamlet Joseph Scott Mosley A Thesis in the Field of Dramatic Arts for the Degree of Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies Harvard University May 2017 © 2017 Joseph Scott Mosley Abstract The aim of the proposed thesis will be to examine the complex and compelling relationship between fathers and sons in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This study will investigate the difficult and challenging process of forming one’s own identity with its social and psychological conflicts. It will also examine how the transformation of the son challenges the traditional family model in concert or in discord with the predominant philosophy of the time. I will assess three father-son relationships in the play – King Hamlet and Hamlet, Polonius and Laertes, and Old Fortinbras and Fortinbras – which thematize and explore filial ambivalence and paternal authority through the act of revenge and mourning the death of fathers.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamlet-Production-Guide.Pdf
    ASOLO REP EDUCATION & OUTREACH PRODUCTION GUIDE 2016 Tour PRODUCTION GUIDE By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ASOLO REP Adapted and Directed by JUSTIN LUCERO EDUCATION & OUTREACH TOURING SEPTEMBER 27 - NOVEMBER 22 ASOLO REP LEADERSHIP TABLE OF CONTENTS Producing Artistic Director WHAT TO EXPECT.......................................................................................1 MICHAEL DONALD EDWARDS WHO CAN YOU TRUST?..........................................................................2 Managing Director LINDA DIGABRIELE PEOPLE AND PLOT................................................................................3 FSU/Asolo Conservatory Director, ADAPTIONS OF SHAKESPEARE....................................................................5 Associate Director of Asolo Rep GREG LEAMING FROM THE DIRECTOR.................................................................................6 SHAPING THIS TEXT...................................................................................7 THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET CREATIVE TEAM FACT IN THE FICTION..................................................................................9 Director WHAT MAKES A GHOST?.........................................................................10 JUSTIN LUCERO UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES......................................................................11 Costume Design BECKI STAFFORD Properties Design MARLÈNE WHITNEY WHAT TO EXPECT Sound Design MATTHEW PARKER You will see one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies shortened into a 45-minute Fight Choreography version
    [Show full text]
  • HAMLET: PRESS RESPONSES Almeida & West End (2017) Shakespeare
    HAMLET: PRESS RESPONSES Almeida & West End (2017) Shakespeare www.roberticke.com FINANCIAL TIMES Ian Shuttleworth ★★★★★ I have been privileged to see several first-class Hamlets this century: Simon Russell Beale, Samuel West, David Tennant, Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake, arguably Lars Eidinger. Andrew Scott is at least as outstanding as any of those, and right now I’m inclined to rank him in front. His Prince is almost always self-aware, but not self-understanding; on the contrary, his keynote is a kind of bemused wonder at goings-on both within and beyond his skin. The great soliloquies seem new-minted, every word a separate question. The playfulness at which Scott so excels (most notably as Moriarty in BBC-TV’s Sherlock) is here kept under a rigorously tight rein. I did not see this production when it opened at the Almeida a few months ago, but my impression is that neither Scott’s nor anyone else’s performance has been ramped up for a venue two and half times the size; the consequent occasional intelligibility problems are far outweighed by the sense of human scale. For this is the glory of Robert Icke’s production. It does not consist of a superlative Prince Hamlet, a clutch of fine supporting performances and a number of sharp directorial ideas stitched together into a plausible fabric; rather, it is whole and entire of itself. Angus Wright’s cool, disciplined Claudius, Juliet Stevenson’s besotted-then-horrified Gertrude, Jessica Brown Findlay’s Ophelia (at first at sea like Hamlet, finally psychologically shattered in a wheelchair), David Rintoul’s doubling of the Ghost and the Player King .
    [Show full text]
  • The Dramatic Space of Hamlet's Theatre
    Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Philologica, 4, 1 (2012) 59-75 “The Play’s the Thing” The Dramatic Space of Hamlet’s Theatre Balázs SZIGETI Eötvös Loránd University Department of English Studies [email protected] Abstract. In my paper I investigate the use of the dramatic space in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The tragedy will be observed with the method of “pre-performance criticism,” which first and foremost makes use of the several potentials a play contains and puts on display before an actual performance; it offers, also in the light of the secondary literature, various ways of interpretation, resulting from the close-reading of the play and considers their possible realizations in the space of the stage both from the director’s and the actor’s point of view, including the consequences the respective lines of interpretation may have as regards the play as a whole. Hamlet does not only raise the questions of the theatrical realization of a play but it also reflects on the ontology of the dramatic space by putting the performance of The Mousetrap-play into one of its focal points and scrutinises the very interaction between the dramatic space and the realm of the audience. I will discuss the process how Hamlet makes use of his private theatre and how the dramatic space is transformed as The Murder of Gonzago turns into The Mousetrap-performance. Keywords: Hamlet; The Mousetrap; dramatic space; pre-performance criticism Shakespeare’s Hamlet1 does not only raise the questions of the theatrical realization of a play but it also reflects on the ontology of the dramatic space by putting the performance of The Mousetrap-play into one of its focal points and 1 In the present paper I quote the play according to the Norton Shakespeare edition (Greenblatt et.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamlet on the Screen Prof
    Scholars International Journal of Linguistics and Literature Abbreviated Key Title: Sch Int J Linguist Lit ISSN 2616-8677 (Print) |ISSN 2617-3468 (Online) Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com/sijll Review Article Hamlet on the Screen Prof. Essam Fattouh* English Department, Faculty of Arts, University of Alexandria (Egypt) DOI: 10.36348/sijll.2020.v03i04.001 | Received: 20.03.2020 | Accepted: 27.03.2020 | Published: 07.04.2020 *Corresponding author: Prof. Essam Fattouh Abstract The challenge of adapting William Shakespeare‟s Hamlet for the screen has preoccupied cinema from its earliest days. After a survey of the silent Hamlet productions, the paper critically examines Asta Nielsen‟s Hamlet: The Drama of Vengeance by noting how her main character is really a woman. My discussion of the modern productions of Shakespeare begins with a critical discussion of Lawrence Olivier‟s seminal production of 1948. The Russian Hamlet of 1964, directed by Grigori Kozintsev, is shown to combine a psychological interpretation of the hero without disregarding its socio-political context. The action-film genre deployed by Franco Zeffirelli in his 1990 adaptation of the play, through a moving performance by Mel Gibson, is analysed. Kenneth Branagh‟s ambitious and well-financed production of 1996 is shown to be somewhat marred by its excesses. Michael Almereyda‟s attempt to present Shakespeare‟s hero in a contemporary setting is shown to have powerful moments despite its flaws. The paper concludes that Shakespeare‟s masterpiece will continue to fascinate future generations of directors, actors and audiences. Keywords: Shakespeare – Hamlet – silent film – film adaptations – modern productions – Russian – Olivier – Branagh – contemporary setting.
    [Show full text]
  • Make Us Laugh at That: Hamlet's Gravediggers
    “Make Us Laugh at That: Hamlet’s Gravediggers” LAURY MAGNUS Though the “Clownes” in 5.1.appear only once in Hamlet, Shakespeare’s Gravediggers’ Scene has been called “the most extraordinary scene in this extraordinary play” (CN3189, Hibbard, 1987), a valuation that is surely a function of the proud professional undertaker, the First Clown, whose quick wit shines out in dialogue but who is intently focused and in his own world when at his proper task of digging. Does this clown speak more lines than have been “set down for him?”1 Of course, such a question is one that textual evidence in itself can’t decide. But what it does point to is that even when intent on his digging, the Gravedigger enjoys the limelight and “performing” for himself and for any passers-by. What is also clear is that the Gravedigger’s singing at his tasks intrigues Hamlet at a critical point of passage in the play. As an outsider first introduced in this scene of the play, the Gravedigger could be seen as a choric figure. In his initial dialogue with Second Clown, he unwittingly comments on the prior actions of the prince and the court of Denmark that have led them to seek the consecrated “ground” of his professional turf. For his part, the prince, now also an “outsider” who stumbles upon this site, becomes a kind of correlative choric figure as he comments to Horatio on the Gravedigger’s song and accompanying gestures and then draws out the Gravedigger concerning his trade. From this dual choric perspective grows what is to be a direct duel of wits between clown and prince that is prelude to the mortal duel of 5.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Supernatural Elements in Shakespeare's Plays
    ISSN 1798-4769 Journal of Language Teaching and Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 391-395, March 2019 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1002.22 Supernatural Elements in Shakespeare’s Plays Liwei Zhu Tianjin Polytechnic University, China Abstract—This paper analyzes the supernatural elements of Shakespeare’s plays from several aspects. It first introduces the historical background of Shakespeare’s writing career. Then, it analyzes supernatural elements in three of his great plays and introduces how the supernatural elements are represented on stage in old Elizabethan period and in modern times. Last, it provides the modern implications to the 21 st century viewers of Shakespeare’s plays. Index Terms—the supernatural elements, ghosts, Elizabethan period I. INTRODUCTION Modern humans find it difficult to believe in ghosts, witches or other supernatural beings. They couldn’t understand why people in the Elizabethan period can be so serious about these things. People’s intense fear towards the supernatural elements is probably due to the lack of physical knowledge about world they were living in. Shakespeare introduced many supernatural elements into his plays. Without looking at the reasons and motivations behind them, we wouldn’t be able to detect the plays’ underlied meanings and implications. Shakespeare’s plays are always considered to be the greatest plays in the world literary history, not only because of the beautiful language, the complex plot construction and the modern implication of their universal themes, but also because of the breathtaking literary skills applied and mysterious elements in these plays. The supernatural elements constitute a significant part of Shakespeare’s plays, whether in the romantic comedies in the early period---A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1596) or in the tragedies of the second period---Hamlet (1601), Othello (1606), Mac Beth (1606), Romeo and Juliet (1607) or in his later romance---The Tempest (1611).
    [Show full text]
  • Ruggeri's Amleto
    © Luke McKernan 2004 RUGGERO RUGGERI’S AMLETO Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, USA 4 November 2004 Luke McKernan Of all the products of the first thirty years of cinema, when films were silent, perhaps none were so peculiar, so intriguing, and in their way so revealing of the temper of the medium in its formative years, as silent Shakespeare films. Shakespeare in the cinema is enough of a challenge for some people; what about Shakespeare on film when you can’t hear any of the words? The film you are to see this evening is one of two hundred or more Shakespeare films that were made in the silent period of cinema. You are seeing it because it has survived (when so many films from this time have not), because it is a rarity scarcely known even by those who are expert in this area, and because it is a good and interesting film. Not a great film, but arguably the best silent Shakespeare film that exists. It is certainly a film that needs to be much better known. To those who may never have seen a silent film before, be assured that even if you can’t hear the words you will be able to read them, as such films commonly have on-screen titles throughout, and in performance they were never silent as such in any case – for you had music. Silent Shakespeare I said that more than two hundred silent Shakespeare films were made, and that is true, but few of these were feature-length, that is, an hour or more, such as this evening’s attraction.
    [Show full text]
  • Identity and Role-Playing in Shakespeare's Hamlet
    The Mask of Madness: Identity and Role-playing in Shakespeare’s Hamlet Treball de Fi de Grau Grau en Estudis Anglesos Supervisor: Dr Jordi Coral Escola Anna Fluvià Sabio June 2016 Acknowledgments Throughout the writing of this TFG, I have benefited from the advice of Dr Jordi Coral Escola. I am very grateful for his constant support, suggestions and corrections. I would also like to thank my family and friends for having been extremely supportive and encouraging during this process. Table of Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2 Madness as a Key Theme in Elizabethan Drama.......................................................... 3 The Spanish Tragedy and Hamlet ................................................................................. 4 Chapter 1: Madness .......................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Origins of his Madness ........................................................................................... 6 1.2 Assuming the Role of the Madman ...................................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Theatricality .................................................................................................. 13 2.1 Hamlet’s Role ....................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Metadramatic Elements in the Play .....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Tragic Excess in Hamlet JEFFREY WILSON Downloaded from by Harvard Library User on 14 August 2019
    107 Tragic Excess in Hamlet JEFFREY WILSON Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/litimag/article-abstract/21/2/107/5450064 by Harvard Library user on 14 August 2019 August 14 on user Harvard Library by https://academic.oup.com/litimag/article-abstract/21/2/107/5450064 from Downloaded “Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar,” the aging Polonius councils his son Laertes in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1.3.60). Polonius proceeds with several additional “precepts” (1.3.57) which similarly promote the Aristotelian ideal of the golden mean, a cultural commonplace of the early-moden age which valorized the perfect middle ground between two extremes: Beware Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in, Bear’t that the opposed may beware of thee.... Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy. (1.3.64–70) Polonius goes on (and on), but the principle is clear. Don’t be too hot, but don’t be too cold. Don’t be too hard, but don’t be too soft. Don’t be too fast, but don’t be too slow. In each of these formulations, there is no substantive ethical good other than moderation. Virtue is thus fundamentally relational, determined by the extent to which it balances two extremes which, as extremes, are definitionally unethical. “It is no mean happiness, therefore, to be seated in the mean,” as Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice (1.2.6–7).1 More generally, in Hamlet,ShakespeareparalleledthesituationsofHamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras (the father of each is killed, and each then seeks revenge) to promote the virtue of moderation: Hamletmovestooslowly,Laertestooswiftly— and they both die at the end of the play—but Fortinbras represents a golden mean which marries the slowness of Hamlet with the swiftness of Laertes.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
    Step Four READING SHAKESPEARE.WEB William Shakespeare B2.1 Hamlet, Prince of Denmark K E Y S William Shakespeare Page 16 – exercise 2 Page 7 – exercise 1 1 The old King Hamlet 2 Polonius 1 Six 3 The old king’s funeral and 2 Because of the plague in London. Gertrude’s marriage 3 The best tragic actor in 4 The old king Hamlet Shakespeare’s time. 5 Just before midnight 4 Between 1599 and 1602. 6 Claudius 5 Unofficial transcripts of Shakespeare’s plays. Page 16 – exercise 3 (suggested answers) 1 sensitive 2 ambitious CHAPTER 1 3 independent Page 10 – exercise 1 Page 17 – exercise 4 A 3 B 6 C 1 D 5 E 4 F 2 1 refuse to do Page 10 – exercise 2 agree, decide, expect, hope, 1 Night time offer, seem 2 Hamlet and the ghost of his father old King Hamlet 2 want somebody to do 3 (suggested answer) The ghost has allow, ask, expect, help, just appeared. persuade, tell 4 (suggested answer) The ghost is 3 keep doing going to speak to Hamlet. enjoy, (not) mind, practise, Page 10 – exercise 3 spend time, stop, suggest 1 B 2 A 3 B 4 A 4 let somebody do Page 16 – exercise 1 help, make 1 C 2 E 3 A 4 D 5 F 6 B K E Y T O T H E A C T I V I T I E S Page 17 – exercise 5 Horatio, who was a close friend of 1 suggested 2 persuaded 3 decided Hamlet’s, that they had seen a ghost 4 refused 5 stop 6 spend 7 enjoyed on the battlements.
    [Show full text]