Hamlet Flashcards
Who says this and what does it show?
“…the sheeted dead”
Horatio:
He compares the Ghost of King Hamlet to the supernatural omens that appeared before the assassination of Julius Caesar - ultimately foreshadowing the disaster that is to come
Who says this and what does it show?
“…our dear brother’s death/the memory be green”
Claudius:
Shows his duplicity and is ironic as he describes the former king as “dear” when he was the one who killed his brother. He acknowledges that the death is a recent event
Who says this and what does it show?
“A little more than kin, and less than kind”
Hamlet:
He uses puns to show how he is unhappy with Claudius being so closely related now he’s wed Gertrude - first words from Hamlet, showing the audience he is witty, clever and not a fan Claudius
Who says this and what does it show?
“O, that this too too solid flesh would melt”
Hamlet:
He considers suicide in his first soliloquy - but won’t because it is against God’s law, even the thought of this would have shocked the Elizabethan society as suicide was considered a great sin
Who says this and what does it show?
“Hyperion to a satyr”
Hamlet:
He describes his father as a God and describes Claudius as a satyr (lecherous men/goat creature). Showing Hamlets distaste towards Claudius
Who says this and what does it show?
“…frailty, thy name is woman”
Hamlet:
He condemns all women for being weak due to his mothers speedy marriage. This is the first evidence of Hamlet’s misogyny - also foreshadows his later treatment to Ophelia
Who says this and what does it show?
“…All is not well. /I doubt some foul play”
Hamlet:
He believes that his father’s ghost is a sign that his death is suspicious - he has come back to haunt due to the treacherous way in which he was killed. Broke the Great Chain of Being, meaning God has left his soul in unrest?
Who says this and what does it show?
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
Marcellus:
An ominous warning after Hamlet follows the Ghost - this creates a sense of corruption from the start of the play, leaves the audience suspicious
Who says this and what does it show?
“Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder”
The Ghost:
This request from the Ghost spurs on the plot and is essentially the canon event that causes all the character deaths
Who says this and what does it show?
“That incestuous, that adulterate beast”
The Ghost and Hamlet:
Used to describe Claudius - portrays him as more of a villain than he already is
Who says this and what does it show?
“a coward…pigeon-livered”
Hamlet:
Self-reproach - he isn’t convinced that he can carry out the revenge. The first sign of inaction
Who says this and what does it show?
“Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain”
Hamlet:
Used to describe Claudius
Who says this and what does it show?
“To be, or not to be: that is the question:”
Hamlet:
He is once again questioning suicide - shocking for 16th century audiences and creates an uncertainty in Hamlet’s character as God chose whether the people lived or died - his hubris as he is taking God’s power
Who says this and what does it show?
“The fair Ophelia”
Hamlet:
Kind words before he turns against her
AO4: parallels between Othello and Desdemona: “The Divine Desdemona” compliments are given to both female characters before male figures turn against them
Who says this and what does it show?
“Get thee to a nunnery”
Hamlet:
A repeated phrase which suggests that Ophelia is a whore as nunnery is another name for a brothel
AO4: parallels between Othello and Desdemona: “Impudent strumpet” both referring to their loves as whores
Who says this and what does it show?
“Look you how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within two hours”
Hamlet:
He shows his anger at the happiness of his widowed mother as her previous husband has just died - she should be mourning
Who says this and what does it show?
“A poisons him i’th’ garden for’s estate”
Hamlet:
He makes it clear that the play king is poisoned in hopes to prick Claudius’ conscience - this shows that Hamlet is aware of Claudius’ crime
Who says this and what does it show?
“I will speak daggers to her but use none”
Hamlet:
Tells the audience that he intends to speak to mother - he will not physically hurt her, presenting Hamlet as a non-typical revenger. Also shows how he respects his fathers wishes (The Ghost): “leave her to heaven”
Who says this and what does it show?
“All may be well”
Claudius:
He hopes that by praying, his sins will be forgiven. This however, doesn’t prevent his punishment as the audience know of Hamlet’s intentions
Who says this and what does it show?
“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below”
Claudius:
He tells the audience in his soliloquy that he only confesses to God - this alludes to Gertrude’s innocence and how she wasn’t aware of the murder of the late king
Who says this and what does it show?
“A bloody deed. Almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry with his brother”
Hamlet:
A couplet in which he tells Gertrude what he knows about Claudius’ involvement in his father’s death
Who says this and what does it show?
“This is the very coinage of your brain”
Gertrude:
She can’t see the Ghost and suggests that it is all in Hamlet’s imagination - casting doubt for the audience
Who says this and what does it show?
“…if indeed you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs…”
Hamlet:
He makes a gross and cold joke to Claudius about the whereabouts of Polonius’ body. Creates a sinister undertone of Hamlet’s character
Who says this and what does it show?
“The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England”
Claudius:
He makes it clear to the audience that Hamlet is going to die. His way of doing it however, is a cowardly process and lowers the audiences opinions of him even more
Who says this and what does it show?
“…my revenge will come”
Laertes:
An ominous declaration, suggesting impending tragedy. Portrays him as the typical Shakespearean revenger, something Hamlet is not
Who says this and what does it show?
“…are you like the painter of a sorrow, a face without a heart?”
Claudius:
Simile, he is emotionally blackmailing Laertes by suggesting that if he truly loved his father (Polonius) then he would take revenge of him against Hamlet. Claudius once again seen to be a coward as he manipulates the situation for a second time meaning he does not have to kill Hamlet himself
Who says this and what does it show?
“Fell in the weeping brook…drowned, drowned”
Gertrude:
She exposes Ophelia’s death
Who says this and what does it show?
“I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum”
Hamlet:
He declares his love to Ophelia’s graveside. Makes the audience question whether he is being genuine or not after his previous interaction with her, where he slandered her
Who says this and what does it show?
“You will lose, my lord”
Horatio:
A knowing prophesy contrasting with Hamlet’s belief that the fight will be a minor event. His hamartia/myopia as this will be the cause of his death - if he has listened to Horatio then he would not be dead
Who says this and what does it show?
“Give me your pardon, sir, I’ve done you wrong”
Hamlet:
He confesses his guilt to Laertes and asks for forgiveness as he never intended to kill Polonius - gains sympathy from the audience, shows the contrast between Hamlet and Claudius as Hamlet will admit to his crime whereas Claudius does not
Who says this and what does it show?
“Our son shall win”
Claudius:
Shows his duplicity as he knows that Hamlet will not win as Laertes is using a poisoned rapier due to his suggestion, ironic as he suggests he cares for Hamlet
Who says this and what does it show?
“Gertrude, do not drink!”
Claudius:
A feeble attempt to stop his wife from drinking the cup he has poisoned incase Hamlet is not killed by Laertes
Who says this and what does it show?
“I am justly killed by my own treachery”
Laertes:
As he is dying he acknowledges that his was morally wrong - restoring some respect from the audience as he confesses to his crime
Who says this and what does it show?
“…O my dear Hamlet!…I am poisoned”
Gertrude:
Her dying words are to Hamlet, also perceived as a warning as her expressing this insinuates foul play. This could also be the moment she truly believes Claudius’ guilt
Who says this and what does it show?
“The King’s to blame”
Laertes:
Justice. The true criminal/culprit has been exposed to the court. Everyone knows of Claudius’ crime
Who says this and what does it show?
“…thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane/Drink off this potion”
Hamlet:
The climax of his wrath against Claudius, the moment he finally avenges his father - hints of cyclical structure as both kings die due to poison
Who says this and what does it show?
“Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage”
Fortinbras:
He insists Hamlet is carried with due ceremony - shows Hamlet’s true noble character as he is having a respected funeral
How does the play show vulnerability of the Elizabethan monarch?
There were plots against Queen Elizabeth I - a feature within the play of Hamlet, as it is seen at the start of the play that King Hamlet is killed
How are women presented?
As pawns with no control is a patriarchal renaissance society
“With the strongest purposes of revenge, he is irresolute and inactive”
critic
Henry Mackenzie
“Ophelia is portrayed as an insignificant minor character”
critic
Elaine Showalter
