Act 1 Scene 2 Flashcards
What is the setting of Act 1 Scene 2 of Hamlet?
The Great Hall of Elsinore Castle.
Who is the newly crowned king at the beginning of Act 1 Scene 2?
King Claudius.
True or False: Hamlet is happy about his father’s death.
False.
What does King Claudius address in his speech to the court?
He addresses the death of King Hamlet and his own marriage to Queen Gertrude.
Fill in the blank: Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet, has recently _______.
died.
Who is Laertes, and what request does he make?
Laertes is Polonius’s son, and he requests permission to return to France.
What advice does Polonius give to Laertes before he leaves?
Polonius advises Laertes to be true to himself and to avoid borrowing or lending money.
What is Hamlet’s mood at the beginning of Act 1 Scene 2?
Hamlet is in deep mourning and is very melancholic.
Who does Hamlet speak to in his first soliloquy?
Hamlet speaks to himself, expressing his grief and frustration.
What does Hamlet wish about his flesh in his soliloquy?
“O that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself into a dew”
What does Hamlet call his mother, Gertrude, for marrying Claudius so soon after his father’s death?
He calls her ‘frailty’ and accuses her of being weak.
What is the significance of the ghost in Act 1 Scene 2?
The ghost represents the late King Hamlet and foreshadows the revelation of the truth behind his death.
True or False: Claudius refers to Hamlet as his ‘son’ in Act 1 Scene 2.
True.
What does Hamlet think about the state of Denmark?
Hamlet describes Denmark as an ‘unweeded garden,’ reflecting his disillusionment.
Who is Horatio, and what role does he play in Act 1 Scene 2?
Horatio is Hamlet’s friend and confidant who later informs Hamlet about the ghost.
What does Claudius mean when he says, ‘with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage’?
He means that they should balance sorrow and joy, despite the circumstances.
What does Hamlet compare his grief to in his soliloquy?
Hamlet compares his grief to a ‘stale’ and ‘unprofitable’ thing.
What advice does Claudius give to Hamlet regarding his grief?
Claudius advises Hamlet to stop grieving and to consider him as a father.
Fill in the blank: Polonius’s daughter is named _______.
Ophelia.
What does Hamlet promise Horatio and Marcellus at the end of Act 1 Scene 2?
He promises to remember their encounter with the ghost and to seek the truth about his father’s death.
