Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is relieving the other of his watch?
Who is relieving the other of his watch?
Barnardo is relieving Francisco of his watch.
What's wrong with Bernardo asking 'Who's there' in the first line?
What's wrong with Bernardo asking 'Who's there' in the first line?
He is questioning to see if it is the ghost that had twice before appeared.
What time is it in the beginning of the book?
What time is it in the beginning of the book?
It is midnight.
What does 'sick at heart' mean?
What does 'sick at heart' mean?
How many times has the apparition appeared before the play starts?
How many times has the apparition appeared before the play starts?
Why has Marcellus begged Horatio to join in the watch?
Why has Marcellus begged Horatio to join in the watch?
Why does Marcellus think Horatio should speak to the ghost?
Why does Marcellus think Horatio should speak to the ghost?
What does usurp mean?
What does usurp mean?
What does the phrase 'What art thou that usurp'st this time of night?' mean?
What does the phrase 'What art thou that usurp'st this time of night?' mean?
In what form and dress does the apparition appear?
In what form and dress does the apparition appear?
What do we learn about the former King of Denmark from Horatio?
What do we learn about the former King of Denmark from Horatio?
Who did Hamlet slay?
Who did Hamlet slay?
What did Hamlet and Denmark gain from the victory over the ambitious Fortinbras?
What did Hamlet and Denmark gain from the victory over the ambitious Fortinbras?
What does young Fortinbras want to do?
What does young Fortinbras want to do?
What conclusion do the men come to for why the ghost appears?
What conclusion do the men come to for why the ghost appears?
What can you conclude from the apparition not answering Horatio's question about the country's fate?
What can you conclude from the apparition not answering Horatio's question about the country's fate?
What does the phrase 'With mirth in funeral, and with dirge in marriage' mean?
What does the phrase 'With mirth in funeral, and with dirge in marriage' mean?
What does the king claim to have done using the Royal 'we'?
What does the king claim to have done using the Royal 'we'?
Why does Claudius think that young Fortinbras has chosen to wage war on Denmark now?
Why does Claudius think that young Fortinbras has chosen to wage war on Denmark now?
How does Claudius hope to avert war with young Fortinbras?
How does Claudius hope to avert war with young Fortinbras?
Why did Laertes come to Denmark?
Why did Laertes come to Denmark?
What request does Laertes make of the King?
What request does Laertes make of the King?
What does Hamlet mean by 'A little more than kin and less than kind'?
What does Hamlet mean by 'A little more than kin and less than kind'?
When Claudius asks 'How is it that the cloud still hang on you?', what is the pun in Hamlet's response?
When Claudius asks 'How is it that the cloud still hang on you?', what is the pun in Hamlet's response?
What advice does Queen Gertrude give Hamlet to help him overcome the grief of his father?
What advice does Queen Gertrude give Hamlet to help him overcome the grief of his father?
What does Queen Gertrude mean by 'it' when she asks Hamlet, 'Why seems it so particular with thee?'
What does Queen Gertrude mean by 'it' when she asks Hamlet, 'Why seems it so particular with thee?'
What does Hamlet's response reveal about his view of true versus feigned grief?
What does Hamlet's response reveal about his view of true versus feigned grief?
According to Claudius, how should Hamlet react to 'death is common'?
According to Claudius, how should Hamlet react to 'death is common'?
What does Claudius inform Hamlet of and where does he request Hamlet not to go?
What does Claudius inform Hamlet of and where does he request Hamlet not to go?
Why doesn't Hamlet kill himself?
Why doesn't Hamlet kill himself?
How long was it before his mother married Claudius?
How long was it before his mother married Claudius?
Does Hamlet think his mother loved King Hamlet while he was alive?
Does Hamlet think his mother loved King Hamlet while he was alive?
What details reveal Hamlet is very upset by the sexual aspect of his mother's new marriage?
What details reveal Hamlet is very upset by the sexual aspect of his mother's new marriage?
In what ways does the soliloquy reveal Hamlet's disturbed mind?
In what ways does the soliloquy reveal Hamlet's disturbed mind?
What is Hamlet's first question to Horatio after he identifies him?
What is Hamlet's first question to Horatio after he identifies him?
What is Hamlet trying to find out when he sees Horatio?
What is Hamlet trying to find out when he sees Horatio?
What is Hamlet's point when he says, 'The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables'?
What is Hamlet's point when he says, 'The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables'?
Horatio's description of the ghost reveals that on his face he wore a 'countenance more in sorrow than in anger.' What might the cause of that sorrow be?
Horatio's description of the ghost reveals that on his face he wore a 'countenance more in sorrow than in anger.' What might the cause of that sorrow be?
Where is Laertes going?
Where is Laertes going?
What has Ophelia been confiding to her brother?
What has Ophelia been confiding to her brother?
What does Laertes think of Hamlet's affection for Ophelia?
What does Laertes think of Hamlet's affection for Ophelia?
Even if Hamlet does love Ophelia, why wouldn't Hamlet marry her?
Even if Hamlet does love Ophelia, why wouldn't Hamlet marry her?
If Hamlet wouldn't marry her, then why must Ophelia not lose her heart to him?
If Hamlet wouldn't marry her, then why must Ophelia not lose her heart to him?
What does Ophelia chide Laertes to do regarding his own advice?
What does Ophelia chide Laertes to do regarding his own advice?
What does Polonius mean by 'This above all, to thine own self be true'?
What does Polonius mean by 'This above all, to thine own self be true'?
How do we know Polonius thinks Hamlet is counterfeiting love for Ophelia?
How do we know Polonius thinks Hamlet is counterfeiting love for Ophelia?
What reasons does Polonius give for not believing Hamlet possesses true feelings for Ophelia?
What reasons does Polonius give for not believing Hamlet possesses true feelings for Ophelia?
What command does Polonius give Ophelia to follow?
What command does Polonius give Ophelia to follow?
What does Hamlet mean when he says, 'the king doth wake tonight and take his rouse'?
What does Hamlet mean when he says, 'the king doth wake tonight and take his rouse'?
What does Claudius' overnight conduct suggest about his business affairs?
What does Claudius' overnight conduct suggest about his business affairs?
What is Hamlet's criticism of King Claudius?
What is Hamlet's criticism of King Claudius?
What do other countries think of Denmark?
What do other countries think of Denmark?
What can happen as a result of a 'vicious mole of nature'?
What can happen as a result of a 'vicious mole of nature'?
When the ghost appears before Hamlet, how is it dressed?
When the ghost appears before Hamlet, how is it dressed?
What two reasons does Hamlet give for not being afraid to follow the ghost?
What two reasons does Hamlet give for not being afraid to follow the ghost?
What does Horatio fear the ghost might do to Hamlet?
What does Horatio fear the ghost might do to Hamlet?
Who says, 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark'?
Who says, 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark'?
What does 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark' mean?
What does 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark' mean?
Why, according to the Ghost, has he been doomed to walk the earth?
Why, according to the Ghost, has he been doomed to walk the earth?
What does the ghost want from Hamlet?
What does the ghost want from Hamlet?
Why does the ghost call his murder a 'most unnatural murder'?
Why does the ghost call his murder a 'most unnatural murder'?
How does the ghost account for the behavior of his queen?
How does the ghost account for the behavior of his queen?
Is the queen referred to as a radiant angel?
Is the queen referred to as a radiant angel?
What has the queen's lust led to?
What has the queen's lust led to?
Who is garbage according to King Hamlet?
Who is garbage according to King Hamlet?
Is it a pun when the ghost says 'the whole ear of Denmark' was abused?
Is it a pun when the ghost says 'the whole ear of Denmark' was abused?
What horrifies King Hamlet about being murdered in the blossoms of his sins?
What horrifies King Hamlet about being murdered in the blossoms of his sins?
Name three crimes Claudius committed with the murder of King Hamlet.
Name three crimes Claudius committed with the murder of King Hamlet.
What does the ghost mean by the royal bed of Denmark has become a couch for luxury?
What does the ghost mean by the royal bed of Denmark has become a couch for luxury?
What does the ghost command Hamlet regarding revenge on the queen?
What does the ghost command Hamlet regarding revenge on the queen?
Why does the ghost feel it necessary to tell Hamlet to remember him?
Why does the ghost feel it necessary to tell Hamlet to remember him?
What does Hamlet feel may occur in Denmark?
What does Hamlet feel may occur in Denmark?
Who is the villain that may smile and be a villain?
Who is the villain that may smile and be a villain?
Translate this: 'This is never a villain dwelling in all Denmark, but he is an arrant knave.'
Translate this: 'This is never a villain dwelling in all Denmark, but he is an arrant knave.'
After the ghost has left, does Hamlet decide to carry out revenge right away or go pray?
After the ghost has left, does Hamlet decide to carry out revenge right away or go pray?
What does Hamlet make the others swear to?
What does Hamlet make the others swear to?
Translate this: 'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'
Translate this: 'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'
What does Hamlet mean when he says he is going to put on an antic disposition?
What does Hamlet mean when he says he is going to put on an antic disposition?
Study Notes
Act 1 Overview
- Barnardo relieves Francisco of his watch at midnight.
- Bernardo questions if the figure is the ghost that appeared previously.
- The guard shift happens at midnight, emphasizing the eerie setting.
The Ghost and Its Significance
- The apparition has not spoken to the guards; Marcellus thinks Horatio should communicate with it due to his education and friendship with Hamlet.
- Horatio describes the ghost in the former King’s armor, hinting at its identity.
- The ghost reveals that it is bound to walk the earth due to unconfessed sins.
Denmark's Political Climate
- Young Fortinbras seeks to reclaim his father's lost territories after Hamlet's victory over Fortinbras.
- Claudius is underestimating Fortinbras' resolve and seeks to pacify him through diplomacy.
Hamlet's Grief and Family Dynamics
- Claudius refers to Hamlet’s prolonged mourning for his father, discouraging him from excessive grief.
- Hamlet feels his mother's quick remarriage to Claudius is disrespectful and affected by her unresolved emotions towards his father.
Ophelia and Laertes' Concerns
- Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet's affections, believing they may not be genuine due to his status.
- Polonius advises Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet, suspecting his feelings to be insincere.
Themes of Madness and Revenge
- Hamlet's “antic disposition” suggests he will feign madness to convey his true intentions undetected.
- After the ghost's revelation, Hamlet instructs the others to keep the supernatural encounter secret, indicating the seriousness of revenge.
Powerful Imagery and Metaphors
- References to the rotten state of Denmark underline corruption and moral decay.
- The King's remark about "the whole ear of Denmark" highlights the treachery surrounding his death.
Hamlet's Internal Conflict
- Hamlet struggles with suicidal thoughts, fearing it is a sin against God.
- He feels aggrieved by the disrespect shown towards his father's memory, particularly by his mother's actions.
The Ghost's Instructions
- The ghost demands vengeance against Claudius but instructs Hamlet to leave Gertrude’s punishment to her guilt.
- This complex dynamic suggests themes of loyalty, morality, and the consequences of sin.
Final Revelations
- Hamlet acknowledges the potential chaos in Denmark following the revelation of the ghost and Claudius' villainy.
- He prepares to navigate both the emotional turmoil and the political intrigue of the court moving forward.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of Act 1 of Hamlet with these flashcards. Each question delves into key events and character interactions that set the stage for the rest of the play. Perfect for students preparing for their exams or anyone looking to brush up on Shakespeare's classic.
