Act 1 Scene 1

Question 1

Who’s there?
Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.

Answer 1

Speaker: Francisco speaking to Bernardo.
Context: The play has just begun, the middle of the night Bernardo has come to take guard duty from Francisco, hears a noise
Importance:
This quote reveals the deeper nature of Hamlet to the audience, suggesting that he is a complex character with lots of layers (characterization).
This quote also creates a tense tone of uneasiness and fear.

Question 2

I have seen nothing.
Horatio says ‘tis but our fantasy, and will not let belief take hold of him touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us

Answer 2

Speaker: Marcellus speaking to Bernardo.
Context: Bernardo and Marcellus have urged Horatio to stand watch with them in order to show him that ghost of Hamlet’s dead father (which they have already seen two nights in a row) is real, however Horatio does not believe them.
-Marcellus talking to Bernardo about the ghost and why they have summoned Haratio
Importance:
Reveals that Horatio is a scholar and, therefore, does not believe in ghosts (characterization)
It explains why Hamlet makes him his right hand, Haratio is the voice of reason.

Question 3

But, in the gross and scope of my opinion, this bodies some strange eruption to our state.

Answer 3

Speaker: Horatio speaking to Marcellus.
Context: Horatio has just seen the ghost of Hamlet’s dead father for himself and is no longer skeptical of its existence.
Importance:
Horatio is foreshadowing that Hamlet will go crazy as evidenced by the double-meaning of the word “state” (state of mind or the country of Denmark).of war
Foreshadowing how the country can go up in smoke, new king with a verge

Question 4

I think it be no other, but e’en so well may it sort, that this portentous figure comes armed through our watch

Answer 4

Speaker: Bernardo speaking to Horatio.
Context: Horatio, Bernardo, and Marcellus are discussing the significance of the ghost of Hamlet’s dead father appearing.
Importance:
The ghost is a warning symbol of impending misfortune for Denmark (foreshadows a conflict), possibly in the form of a military attack.