Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who joins Bernardo, the watchman, on his watch of the castle?
Who joins Bernardo, the watchman, on his watch of the castle?
Marcellus and Horatio
What do Marcellus and Bernardo want to show Horatio?
What do Marcellus and Bernardo want to show Horatio?
A ghost
What proves to Horatio that the ghost is that of King Hamlet?
What proves to Horatio that the ghost is that of King Hamlet?
His Armor
How does Horatio explain the appearance of King Hamlet?
How does Horatio explain the appearance of King Hamlet?
Who is Fortinbras?
Who is Fortinbras?
Who is now married to King Hamlet's wife?
Who is now married to King Hamlet's wife?
What does King Claudius say he is mourning over?
What does King Claudius say he is mourning over?
What does Prince Hamlet contemplate doing because he is so upset?
What does Prince Hamlet contemplate doing because he is so upset?
What does Fortinbras want from Claudius?
What does Fortinbras want from Claudius?
What does Claudius and Gertrude want Prince Hamlet to do?
What does Claudius and Gertrude want Prince Hamlet to do?
What does Laertes warn Ophelia about?
What does Laertes warn Ophelia about?
What is Laertes's main objection to Ophelia's feelings?
What is Laertes's main objection to Ophelia's feelings?
What does Polonius say about Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet?
What does Polonius say about Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet?
What does Hamlet overhear while waiting for the ghost to appear?
What does Hamlet overhear while waiting for the ghost to appear?
Why do Horatio and Marcellus follow after Hamlet and the ghost?
Why do Horatio and Marcellus follow after Hamlet and the ghost?
How did Hamlet's father die?
How did Hamlet's father die?
Who does the ghost of Hamlet's father say killed him?
Who does the ghost of Hamlet's father say killed him?
What does the ghost of King Hamlet say about Gertrude, his wife?
What does the ghost of King Hamlet say about Gertrude, his wife?
What does Hamlet tell Horatio and Marcellus about his plan?
What does Hamlet tell Horatio and Marcellus about his plan?
What does Hamlet do to upset Ophelia?
What does Hamlet do to upset Ophelia?
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Whom does Fortinbras swear he will not attack?
Whom does Fortinbras swear he will not attack?
How does Polonius plan to prove Hamlet's love for Ophelia?
How does Polonius plan to prove Hamlet's love for Ophelia?
What play does Hamlet want the players to perform?
What play does Hamlet want the players to perform?
How will Claudius react to the play, according to Hamlet?
How will Claudius react to the play, according to Hamlet?
Why does Claudius want to be left alone?
Why does Claudius want to be left alone?
What do Polonius and Claudius hear him talking about with Ophelia?
What do Polonius and Claudius hear him talking about with Ophelia?
What does Ophelia give Hamlet?
What does Ophelia give Hamlet?
Why does Hamlet call women dishonest?
Why does Hamlet call women dishonest?
What does Claudius say he will do about Hamlet?
What does Claudius say he will do about Hamlet?
What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do during the Play?
What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do during the Play?
How does Hamlet tease Ophelia?
How does Hamlet tease Ophelia?
What does Hamlet do during the performance?
What does Hamlet do during the performance?
What is Claudius's reaction to the play?
What is Claudius's reaction to the play?
Who sends for Hamlet after the play?
Who sends for Hamlet after the play?
What does Claudius want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do with Hamlet?
What does Claudius want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do with Hamlet?
Who plans to spy on Gertrude and Hamlet?
Who plans to spy on Gertrude and Hamlet?
What does Claudius feel guilty for?
What does Claudius feel guilty for?
Why does Hamlet refrain from killing Claudius when he has the opportunity to?
Why does Hamlet refrain from killing Claudius when he has the opportunity to?
When does Hamlet plan to kill Claudius?
When does Hamlet plan to kill Claudius?
Why does Polonius want to eavesdrop on Hamlet?
Why does Polonius want to eavesdrop on Hamlet?
What does Hamlet accuse his mother of?
What does Hamlet accuse his mother of?
Why does Hamlet kill Polonius?
Why does Hamlet kill Polonius?
Why does Gertrude think Hamlet is mad?
Why does Gertrude think Hamlet is mad?
What message does the ghost bring to Hamlet?
What message does the ghost bring to Hamlet?
Whom does Gertrude rush to see after Polonius is killed?
Whom does Gertrude rush to see after Polonius is killed?
What does Gertrude compare herself to?
What does Gertrude compare herself to?
What is Claudius's main concern?
What is Claudius's main concern?
What does Hamlet accuse Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of?
What does Hamlet accuse Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of?
What does Hamlet allow Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do?
What does Hamlet allow Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do?
Who reveals the location of Polonius's body?
Who reveals the location of Polonius's body?
What orders does Claudius send to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
What orders does Claudius send to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
What is Fortinbras doing when he comes across Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern?
What is Fortinbras doing when he comes across Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern?
Why is Hamlet surprised by the nature of the conflict between Poland and Norway?
Why is Hamlet surprised by the nature of the conflict between Poland and Norway?
What does Hamlet resolve to do after meeting Fortinbras?
What does Hamlet resolve to do after meeting Fortinbras?
How does Ophelia handle the news of Polonius's death?
How does Ophelia handle the news of Polonius's death?
What does Horatio urge Gertrude to do?
What does Horatio urge Gertrude to do?
How do the peasants feel about Laertes upon his return?
How do the peasants feel about Laertes upon his return?
What advice does Claudius give to Laertes?
What advice does Claudius give to Laertes?
What does Hamlet's letter to Horatio say?
What does Hamlet's letter to Horatio say?
Why doesn't Claudius punish Hamlet?
Why doesn't Claudius punish Hamlet?
Why is Laertes happy about Hamlet's return to Denmark?
Why is Laertes happy about Hamlet's return to Denmark?
When does Laertes plan to kill Hamlet?
When does Laertes plan to kill Hamlet?
What does Laertes and Claudius plan to do if Hamlet wins the duel?
What does Laertes and Claudius plan to do if Hamlet wins the duel?
How does Ophelia die?
How does Ophelia die?
Why are the gravediggers arguing about Ophelia?
Why are the gravediggers arguing about Ophelia?
What does the gravedigger say to Hamlet when he asks whose grave he is digging?
What does the gravedigger say to Hamlet when he asks whose grave he is digging?
What does Hamlet notice about the funeral procession?
What does Hamlet notice about the funeral procession?
What does Hamlet say to Laertes upon realizing that it is Ophelia's funeral?
What does Hamlet say to Laertes upon realizing that it is Ophelia's funeral?
What finally appeases Laertes at Ophelia's funeral?
What finally appeases Laertes at Ophelia's funeral?
What does Hamlet tell Horatio about death?
What does Hamlet tell Horatio about death?
How does Gertrude die?
How does Gertrude die?
How does Hamlet find out about Claudius's plan?
How does Hamlet find out about Claudius's plan?
What does the dying Hamlet tell Horatio to do?
What does the dying Hamlet tell Horatio to do?
Who rules Denmark at the end of the play?
Who rules Denmark at the end of the play?
Prince of Denmark, title character, protagonist.
Prince of Denmark, title character, protagonist.
King of Denmark, Hamlet's uncle, antagonist. Villain of the play. driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for poer but occasionally shows signs of guilt and human feeling
King of Denmark, Hamlet's uncle, antagonist. Villain of the play. driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for poer but occasionally shows signs of guilt and human feeling
Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother. Loves Hamlet but is a shallow, weak woman.
Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother. Loves Hamlet but is a shallow, weak woman.
The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court, a pompous, conniving old man. the father of Laertes and Ophelia.
The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court, a pompous, conniving old man. the father of Laertes and Ophelia.
Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the prince at the university in Wittenberg. loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet's death, remains alive to tell Hamlet's story.
Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the prince at the university in Wittenberg. loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet's death, remains alive to tell Hamlet's story.
Polonius's daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Even in her lapse into madness and death, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers and finally drowning
Polonius's daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Even in her lapse into madness and death, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers and finally drowning
Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, a young man who spends much of the play in France. Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil for the reflective Hamlet.
Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, a young man who spends much of the play in France. Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil for the reflective Hamlet.
The young Prince of Norway, whose father the king was killed by Hamlet's father. Now wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father's honor, making him another foil for Prince Hamlet.
The young Prince of Norway, whose father the king was killed by Hamlet's father. Now wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father's honor, making him another foil for Prince Hamlet.
The specter of Hamlet's recently deceased father. Hamlet speculates that the ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder, and the question of what the ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved.
The specter of Hamlet's recently deceased father. Hamlet speculates that the ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder, and the question of what the ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved.
Two slightly bumbling courtiers, former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior.
Two slightly bumbling courtiers, former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior.
Flashcards
Who joins Bernardo on watch?
Who joins Bernardo on watch?
Marcellus and Horatio, two other guards, join Bernardo on his watch of the castle.
What do they show Horatio?
What do they show Horatio?
Marcellus and Bernardo want to show Horatio a ghost they've seen.
What proves the ghost is King Hamlet?
What proves the ghost is King Hamlet?
The ghost is wearing the same armor as King Hamlet, proving his identity.
Horatio's explanation for the ghost?
Horatio's explanation for the ghost?
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Who is Fortinbras?
Who is Fortinbras?
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Who's married to King Hamlet's wife now?
Who's married to King Hamlet's wife now?
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What does Claudius say he mourns?
What does Claudius say he mourns?
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What does Hamlet contemplate?
What does Hamlet contemplate?
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What does Fortinbras want?
What does Fortinbras want?
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What do Claudius and Gertrude want Hamlet to do?
What do Claudius and Gertrude want Hamlet to do?
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Laertes' warning to Ophelia?
Laertes' warning to Ophelia?
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Laertes' main objection?
Laertes' main objection?
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Polonius' stance on Ophelia and Hamlet?
Polonius' stance on Ophelia and Hamlet?
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What does Hamlet overhear?
What does Hamlet overhear?
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Why do Horatio and Marcellus follow Hamlet?
Why do Horatio and Marcellus follow Hamlet?
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How did Hamlet's father die?
How did Hamlet's father die?
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Who killed King Hamlet?
Who killed King Hamlet?
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What does the Ghost say about Gertrude?
What does the Ghost say about Gertrude?
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What does Hamlet tell Horatio and Marcellus?
What does Hamlet tell Horatio and Marcellus?
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What does Hamlet do to Ophelia?
What does Hamlet do to Ophelia?
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Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
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Who will Fortinbras not attack?
Who will Fortinbras not attack?
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How does Polonius plan to prove Hamlet's love?
How does Polonius plan to prove Hamlet's love?
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What play does Hamlet request?
What play does Hamlet request?
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How will Claudius react to the play?
How will Claudius react to the play?
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Why does Claudius want to be left alone?
Why does Claudius want to be left alone?
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What does Polonius and Claudius hear Hamlet talk about?
What does Polonius and Claudius hear Hamlet talk about?
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What does Ophelia give Hamlet?
What does Ophelia give Hamlet?
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Why does Hamlet call women dishonest?
Why does Hamlet call women dishonest?
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Study Notes
Characters and Relationships
- Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, protagonist, deeply affected by his father's murder and mother's remarriage.
- Claudius: King of Denmark, Hamlet's uncle, murderer of Hamlet's father, antagonist.
- Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, shallow and weak, remarries Claudius quickly.
- Polonius: Lord Chamberlain, a shrewd but pompous old man, father of Laertes and Ophelia.
- Horatio: Hamlet's close friend, loyal and rational.
- Ophelia: Polonius's beautiful daughter, Hamlet is deeply in love with her but tragically loses her.
- Laertes: Polonius's son, passionate and rash, seeks revenge for Polonius's death.
- Fortinbras: Prince of Norway, seeking revenge, also a foil to Hamlet.
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Bumbling courtiers, summoned to spy on Hamlet.
- The Ghost: The specter of Hamlet's deceased father, urging Hamlet to avenge his murder.
Key Plot Points
- Hamlet's father is murdered by Claudius.
- The ghost reveals Claudius as the murderer.
- Hamlet feigns madness to uncover the truth.
- Hamlet stages a play about murder to trap Claudius.
- Claudius is exposed, and sends Hamlet to England to be killed.
- Polonius eavesdrops on Hamlet, and is accidentally killed by Hamlet.
- Hamlet is betrayed and sent to his death, but survives.
- Ophelia mourns her father's death and subsequently dies.
- Laertes and Claudius plot Hamlet’s death.
- Hamlet kills Claudius and dies.
- Gertrude dies by drinking poisoned wine.
- Fortinbras becomes King.
Key Conflicts
- Hamlet vs. Claudius (revenge)
- Hamlet vs. His own emotions and inner turmoil.
- Polonius vs. Hamlet and Ophelia.
- Laertes vs. Hamlet (revenge)
- The warring nations of Norway and Poland
- The moral decay of the Danish court
- The ghost's quest for vengeance vs. Hamlet's rational doubts about his actions.
Major Events
- The appearance of the ghost and the murder mystery
- Hamlet plots revenge using the play.
- The accidental death of Polonius.
- Hamlet's encounter with Fortinbras.
- The fencing match and ultimate deaths of Hamlet, Laertes, and Gertrude.
- Ophelia’s death.
Key Themes
- Revenge
- Madness
- Corruption
- Mortality
- Appearance vs. Reality
- Family relationships
- Moral decay
- Inevitability of death
Other Important Details
- The play is set in Denmark.
- Horatio stays alive to tell Hamlet's story
- Political intrigue drives many of the events.
- Laertes, Fortinbras, and Claudius are foils to Hamlet,
- Hamlet's use of the play-within-a-play is a major plot device.
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Description
This quiz explores the key characters and their relationships in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. Delve into the motivations and connections between Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and others, to better understand the intricate dynamics of this tragic play.
