Act 1 Scene 2

Question 1

What technique is used in Claudius’ speech and how does it present him?

Answer 1

The use of iambic pentameter presents Claudius as a person of importance and reveals his craft and skill with language. His speech is measured and rehearsed perhaps presenting him as not a genuine king.

Question 2

What device is used in ‘Though yet of Hamlet our dear brothers death’ and what does it show?

Answer 2

The use of alliterative juxtaposition presents Claudius as duplicitous as we question whether he is sincere or untrustworthy. He also tries to unite the kingdom in grief despite being OH’s murderer

Question 3

What device is used in ‘we with wisest sorrow’?

Answer 3

The use of plural pronouns reveals C as uniting the kingdom as one in a time of grief.

Question 4

What device is used in ‘an auspicious and dropping eye’?

Answer 4

The antithesis highlights Claudius’ duplicity both grateful for his marriage and full of ‘grief’.

Question 5

How does ‘Nor have we herein barr’d/ Your better wisdoms’ presents Claudius?

Answer 5

The clever use of speech and flattery perhaps highlights him as a diplomat.

Question 6

How does Claudius’ speech vary in other productions?

Answer 6

Some productions have Claudius tripping over his speech perhaps showing how he is not the rightful heir of the throne and gets us to question his suitability.

Question 7

How does Claudius react to the threat from Young Fortinbras?

Answer 7

He is diplomatic and states ‘we have writ to Norway’.

Question 8

What does ‘You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand’ suggest about Claudius?

Answer 8

Here, he compliments one but not the other, portrays how he doesn’t know them very well and perhaps doesn’t fit in here as he is putting on a facade.

Question 9

‘How you your _________________? What says Polonious’?

Answer 9

‘father’s leave’ - Claudius as trying to keep favour of those close in OH’s court, giving power where he doesn’t need to - machiavellian.

Question 10

Who said ‘Claudius shows every sign of being an excellent diplomat and king’ ?

Answer 10

Knight

Question 11

What device is used in ‘A little more than kin, and less than kind’?

Answer 11

The pun shows Hamlet’s sardonic wit as he highlights the unnatural relationship. Presents Claudius as a sinner to Protestant audience.

Question 12

What is shown through the pun ‘I am too much in the sun’?

Answer 12

Hamlet shows a clear resentment for the incestuous marriage.

Question 13

How is Gertrude presented through ‘cast thy nighted colour off’?

Answer 13

On one side she is a callous, loathsome sinner however she can also be seen as wanting to free him from his grief or move past what she has done.

Question 14

How is Hamlet presented through ‘Seems, madam? Nay it is, I know not ‘seems’ ‘?

Answer 14

He seems genuinely shocked that those around him have moved on so quickly - is he challenging her grief?

Question 15

How is Hamlet dressed in this scene?

Answer 15

‘suits of solemn black’ - in a state of mourning, contrasts royal courts celebratory outfits.

Question 16

What is highlighted in ‘But I have that within what passes show’?

Answer 16

Highlights Hamlet’s depth of grief - focusing on outward appearance to show how her grief is not sincere.

Question 17

What AO3 can be linked to Claudius and Gertrude’s incestuous actions?

Answer 17

Plato’s Body Politic is the idea that a state is considered, metaphorically, a physical body. Due to C and G being sinners, by extension it makes Denmark a nation of sin.

Question 18

How is Hamlet’s relationship presented with his mother through ‘I shall in all my best obey you, madam.’?

Answer 18

The repeated use of ‘madam’ in this scene shows a grudging sense of respect and willingness to obey his mother (at this stage).

Question 19

What is some evidence of the Body Politic in this scene?

Answer 19

‘too sullied flesh would melt’ and ‘tis an unweeded garden’ - these show how Denmark is corrupted by incest as the unnatural relationship soils and taints the nation.

Question 20

What device is used in ‘How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable’ and what does it do?

Answer 20

The caesura shows Hamlet’s genuine anger/ honest emotion in comparison to Claudius’ structed speech in iambic pentameter.

Question 21

What device is used in ‘Hyperion to a satyr’ and what does it do?

Answer 21

The classical allusion shows how Hamlet sees his father as a deity whereas Claudius is reduced to his primitive sexual desires.

Question 22

What does the classical allusion of ‘Like Niobe, all tears’ suggest Hamlet thinks about Gertrude?

Answer 22

It shows how he believes she is exaggerating and that her tears/grief are fake.

Question 23

How is Gertrude presented in ‘a beast that wants discourse of reason/ Would have mourn’d longer’ ?

Answer 23

Hamlet sees his mother as lacking compassion and instead as weakened as she has given into her primitive lust which she is unable to resist. - bestial imagery

Question 24

How does Hamlet view himself in ‘Than I to Hercules’ ?

Answer 24

Hamlet becomes self-loathing as he emasculates himself as he recognises himself as a Renaissance man.

Question 25

How is Gertrude presented in ‘O most wicked speed! To post / With such dexterity to incestuous sheets’ ?

Answer 25

In a state of rage, Gertrude is presented as duplicitous and sly - theme of Hamlet blaming women.