Hamlet Flashcards
Who wrote Hamlet?
William Shakespeare
Who is Hamlet?
The Prince of Denmark, known for his intellect, wit, and deep internal conflict—he struggles to avenge his father’s murder.
Who is Claudius?
Hamlet’s uncle, the antagonist who murders King Hamlet to seize the throne and marry Gertrude.
Who is Gertrude?
Hamlet’s mother and Queen of Denmark—complex and controversial in her loyalty.
Who is Ophelia?
Polonius’s daughter and Hamlet’s love interest, who is caught in the political and emotional chaos, ultimately leading to her madness and death.
Who is Polonius?
The king’s advisor, a pompous and controlling father, killed by Hamlet while spying.
Who is Laertes?
Ophelia’s brother, who seeks revenge for his father’s and sister’s deaths.
Who is Horatio?
Hamlet’s loyal friend, who survives and tells Hamlet’s story.
Who is the Ghost?
The spirit of Hamlet’s father, who reveals the murder and demands vengeance.
What are the central themes of Hamlet?
Revenge, madness, appearance vs. reality, corruption and decay, indecision, mortality, and fate.
What is the basic plot of Hamlet?
Prince Hamlet seeks to avenge his father’s murder by his uncle Claudius while grappling with doubt, morality, and psychological conflict, leading to widespread tragedy.
What does Yorick’s skull symbolize?
The inevitability of death and the futility of life—’Alas, poor Yorick!’
What does the Ghost symbolize?
Unresolved justice, the supernatural, and the pressure of revenge.
What do mirrors and spying represent?
The theme of surveillance and deceit—nobody is ever truly safe or honest.
What does poison represent?
Corruption, both physical and moral—it kills the king and infects the kingdom.
‘To be or not to be: that is the question.’ – What does this mean?
Hamlet contemplates the value of life vs. the fear of the unknown in death—a philosophical moment of doubt.
‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.’ – Significance?
It sets the tone for political and moral corruption in the kingdom.
‘The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.’ – Meaning?
Hamlet uses a play to confirm Claudius’s guilt, showing his strategic mind.
‘Frailty, thy name is woman!’ – What does this say about Hamlet’s view of Gertrude?
It reflects Hamlet’s misogyny and bitterness about her quick remarriage.
What is the structure of Hamlet?
A five-act tragedy, driven by soliloquies that reveal Hamlet’s internal struggles and existential crises.
What’s the role of soliloquies in Hamlet?
They expose Hamlet’s psyche and help the audience understand his hesitation and moral questioning.
How is dramatic irony used in Hamlet?
The audience knows Claudius is guilty long before the characters do—this heightens tension.
What role does foreshadowing play?
The ghost, omens, and imagery of death all signal the inevitable tragic ending.
How is wordplay important in Hamlet?
Hamlet uses puns and double meanings to mask his thoughts and critique those around him.
Is Hamlet truly mad?
Debatable—he claims to feign madness, but his grief and actions suggest deeper psychological unraveling.
How does Ophelia’s madness differ from Hamlet’s?
Ophelia’s is genuine and stems from trauma and loss, while Hamlet’s is more controlled and strategic.
What is the significance of the ending?
Nearly all main characters die, symbolizing the destruction wrought by revenge and corruption; Fortinbras inherits a broken Denmark.
Why does Horatio survive?
To tell Hamlet’s story and preserve truth—a theme of legacy and narrative control.
What is Hamlet’s tragic flaw?
Indecision—he overthinks and delays action, which ultimately leads to tragedy.
How does Hamlet’s ‘To be or not to be’ soliloquy reflect his inner turmoil?
It reveals his fear of death and the unknown, showing how he wrestles with morality, pain, and the meaning of existence.
How does Hamlet critique the idea of revenge?
Revenge causes collateral damage and moral decay; even justified vengeance leads to chaos and death.
How does Laertes serve as a foil to Hamlet?
Laertes acts quickly and emotionally to avenge his father, contrasting Hamlet’s overthinking and hesitation.
What does Ophelia’s story say about women in the play?
She is manipulated by men, silenced, and ultimately destroyed, showing how women are powerless in a corrupt patriarchy.
How is Gertrude portrayed in relation to power?
She is ambiguous—either complicit or naive—but her role shows how women are tied to political shifts through marriage, not agency.
What motif emphasizes moral and political decay throughout the play?
Imagery of disease, rot, and poison—like the poisoned ear murder—symbolizes the kingdom’s corruption.
What does Claudius’s prayer scene reveal?
He admits guilt but can’t repent—his desire for power outweighs spiritual redemption.
What role does the ghost play beyond plot?
It blurs the line between reality and the supernatural, raising questions about truth, madness, and destiny.
How does the theme of fate vs. free will appear in the play?
Hamlet is caught between acting on fate (avenging his father) and the consequences of choice—his hesitation shows a struggle between destiny and autonomy.
How is death treated philosophically in Hamlet?
Hamlet frequently reflects on death as a great equalizer—graveyard scenes emphasize the futility of legacy and worldly power.
How does the gravedigger scene contribute to the theme of mortality?
It uses dark humor to show that death comes for all, regardless of class or legacy.
How does Hamlet use language as a weapon?
He uses puns, sarcasm, and metaphor to confuse, insult, and uncover truth—language becomes both a defense and a trap.
How is madness connected to truth in the play?
Those considered mad (Hamlet, Ophelia) speak truths others don’t want to hear—madness reveals what society tries to hide.
What does Fortinbras symbolize at the end of the play?
Order, leadership, and the possibility of a restored kingdom after corruption and collapse.
How does Hamlet reflect anxieties about leadership and legitimacy?
Claudius’s usurpation, Hamlet’s hesitation, and Fortinbras’s rise all comment on the fragility of political power.
