Hamlet Flashcards
Where does the play take place
Elsinore, Denmark
How do we feel when the ghost enters
It’s ominous and foreboding
Quote, Horatio is a scholar
He’s clever and wise and others respect his opinions
Thou art a scholar; speak to it Horatio
Marcellus
Quote, Horatio is brave
I’ll cross it, though it blast me
Horatio
Quote, the spirit will only speak to hamlet
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him
Horatio
What does Hamlet call suicide
Self-slaughter
Why won’t Hamlet commit self-slaughter
It’s a sin and he wouldn’t go to heaven
Quote, king Claudius says they’re united in mourning for king hamlet but should not let the sorrow exclude concern for ourselves, he believe the wedding and funeral should be equally celebrated
That we with wisest sorrow think on him, together with remembrance of ourselves
Quote, hamlets first line, how king Claudius is related to him but not nice to him
A little more than Kin and less than kind
Quote, Claudius asks why Hamlet is still upset months after his fathers death
How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
Quote, Hamlet complains how he doesn’t SEEM sad he IS sad
‘Seems’, madam! Nay it is. I know not ‘seems’
Quote, Claudius describing Hamlets mourning
‘Tis unmanly grief
Quote, Hamlet reveals his suicidal thoughts in his first soliloquy, he’s lost faith in life
Powerful soliloquies show the prince’s divided inner self. He is deep,h disillusioned with life.
How weary, state, flat and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world!
Quote, Hamlet is angry at his mother for remarrying so soon and his views on women are now effected
Within a month… frailty, thy name is woman!
Quote, Laertes says to Ophelia that Hamlet may love her now but it’s not up to him who he will marry as he’ll have to marry for political gain.
Laertes acts as though he has complete authority over Ophelia who is powerless in a patriarchal world
Perhaps he loves you now … his will is not his own
Laertes
Quote, Ophelia is immature, naive and inexperienced at love.
Polonius also treats Ophelia as though she is naive and foolish
Green girl
Polonius
Why doesn’t Hamlet fear death?
He’s suicidal
Quote, ominous and foreboding for Denmark’s fate
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark
Marcellus
Where is the ghost currently
Purgatory
Why is the ghost in purgatory
Couldn’t repent his sins before dying (sins = deaths of 1000s of soldiers)
Quote, ghost revels he was murdered
Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder
Quote, Ghost reveals it was Claudius who killed him
The serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown
Ghost
Quote, ghost died without confessing sins
Sent to my account with all my imperfections on my head
The ghost is in purgatory. How is it Claudius’ fault
Claudius murdered him in his sleep. Not allowing him to confess sins, making his actions all the more cowardly and cold blooded
Quote, Horatio notices Hamlet’s madness
These are but wild and whirling words, my lord
Horatio
Quote, Hamlet will feign madness
To put on an antic disposition
Hamlet
What type of character is Polonius
Meddling
Convinced of his own wisdom
Quote, Polonius tells Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet is mad
Your noble son is mad
Quote, Polonius thinks it’s a pity hamlet is mad
And pity ‘tis ‘tis true - a foolish figure
Quote, Polonius tells Ophelia that Hamlet is out of her league as he will marry for political gain not love
Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star
Quote, Polonius is rude and patronising to hamlet
Do you know me my lord?
Quote, Polonius is convinced of Hamlets madness, Hamlet has tricked him
Far gone
Quote, Polonius sees glimmers of truth in the mad words Hamlet says
Though this be madness, yet there be method in’t
Quote, in his madness, Hamlet has glimmers of truth, this is a cry for help saying he would willingly give his life
Except my life
Quote, Hamlet is alone and trapped in Denmark
Denmark’s a prison
Quote, the world fills hamlet with disgust as everything will be dust in a few years
What a piece of work is a man … what’s is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me: no, nor woman either
Quote , Hamlet says he’s only mad sometimes
I am but mad north-north west : when the wind is southern,u, I know a hawk from a handsaw
Quote, Hamlet is happy players have arrived
I am glad to see the well
Quote, Hamlet will insert a few lines into the play about the kings murder
Speech of some dozen or sixteen lines which I would set down and insert in’t
Quote, Hamlet is angry at himself that he didn’t act on the news of his fathers death sooner.
The actors’ deep emotions make hamlet keenly aware of his own lack of purpose
Am I a coward?
Quote, the devil has many forms, what is the ghost is a Devil
The devil hath power t’assume a pleasing shape
Quote, Hamlet will discover the truth of Claudius in the play
The play”’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king
Why does Polonius believe hamlet is mad
Because of his love for Ophelia
Quote, Guildenstern says of Hamlets madness
Crafty madness
Quote, Claudius is happy Hamlet is pleased the players have arrived
It doth much content me to hear him so inclined
Quote, Hamlet asked himself if it’s better to be alive or dead
To be, or not to be - that is the question
Quote, Hamlet says deaths is like sleep, an easeful rest after a life of suffering and difficulties
To die, to sleep - no more, and by a sleep we say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh heir to
Quote, Hamlet says people would rather live and suffer on earth than die as it may become worse. They fear the unknown
Makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of
Quote, Ophelia says you can give nice gifts but it means nothing if you don’t act the same
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind
Quotes, Hamlet is confusing and causing distress to phelia about their love
I did love you one
I loved you not
Quote, Hamlet is being verbally agresiva to Ophelia and tells her to neve have kids as they’ll be sinners just like her.
Hamlets abusive treatment of Ophelia reflects his deep disillusionment with his mother
Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners
Quote, Hamlet wishes he was never born
It were better my mother had not borne me
Quote, Ophelia knows Hamlet has gone mad
O what a noble mind is here o’verthrown
What’s the purpose of theatre to hamlet
To reflect life and explore contemporary issues
As Shakespeare did
Quote, Hamlet says the purpose of theatre
The mirror up to nature
Quote, Hamlet admires Horatio who is honorary.
Horario’s naturally calm and reasonable behaviour - even when faced with challenges - provides a stark contrast to the more impulsive hamlet.
Give me that man that is not passions slave and I will wear him in my hearts core
Quote, Hamlet trusts his loyal friend Horatio to watch Claudius’ reaction
Watch mine uncle
Quote, Gertrude thinks the queen in the play is overdoing her loyalty to the kings, unlike herself
The lady protests too much
Quote, Hamlet now believes what the ghost told him and will act
I’ll take the ghost’s word for a thousand pounds
Quote, Claudius is angry at the play
Marvellous distempered
Guildenstern
Quote, Gertrude did bewildered at Hamlets behaviour
Your behaviour bath struck her into amazement and admiration
Rosencrantz
Quote, Claudius is convinced hamlet is a threat to his regime and will send him to England
I like him not, nor stands it safe with us to let his madness rage
Quote, Claudius finally confirms his guilt in a soliloquy
My offence is rank
Quote, Claudius feels he cannot be forgiven by god as he still benefits of his actions .
Although he is mentally tortured by conscience, he will not give up all he has gained by murdering his brother
I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder, my crown, mine own ambition and my queen
Quote, Hamlet doesn’t want to kill Claudius as he’s praying as he’ll go to heaven and he can’t send a villain to an eternity in heaven
Hamlet seems to be more of a philosopher than a man of action.
His refusal to kill Claudius at prayer raises questions about his moral heroism
A villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven.
Why would it have been perfect for Hamlet to kill Claudius as he was praying
Claudius was alone Unarmed Defenceless Vulnerable due to heavy conscience On his knees Unaware hamlet was there Hamlet had the adrenaline pumping
Quote, when will Hamlet kill him instead
About some act that has no relish of salvation in’t
.qoute a harsh irony that suggests Claudius couldn’t make peace with god and hamlet shouldn’t have procrastinated so much
Words without thoughts never go to heaven
Quote, A sarcastic and witty exchange between Gertrude and Claudius. A clear difference in who they think Hamlets ‘father’ is
Hamlet, thou has thy father much offended (g)
Mother, you have my father much offended (h)
Quote, Hamlet didn’t know he was killing Polonius and thought it was a rat
How now! A rat?
Quote, out of Hamlets character to commit a murder (Gertrude) he did it without thinking
Rash and bloody Deed
Quote, Gertrude sees guilt in her soul.
Gertrude is an innocent victim
She is caught between the two most influential men in her life. She does not wish to lose Hamlet but also depends on Claudius and must show her loyalty to him
Thou turn’st mine eyes into my very soul and there I see such black and grained spots
Quote, Hamlet wants to hold Gertrude up to a mirror so she can see within her
set you up to a glass where you may see the inmost part of you
Quote, Hamlet tells his mother he was feigning madness all along and was completely healthy
I am essentially not in madness, but mad in craft
Quote, Claudius is worries he could have died if he was in Polonius’ position
It had been so with us, had we been there
Quote, Gertrude tells Claudius hamlet is upset and sorry for his actions, protecting her son
He weeps for what is done
Quote, Claudius must make an excuse for Polonius’ death as he’s royal
We must with all our majesty and skill both countenance and excuse
Quote, Claudius finally mentions Polonius’ untimely death
Untimely done
Quote, Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that’s once Claudius is finished with them he’ll never thank or use them again, like a sponge, simile
When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you and sponge you shall be dry again
Quote, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern don’t understand hamlets articulate words, he’s too clever for them, he uses language as a weapon
A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear
Quote, Hamlet says everyone ends up being worm food, Equal after death
Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service - two dishes, but to one table
Quote, Clausius say he will not be happy until Hamlet is dead in soliloquy
Till I know ‘tis done, hoe’er my haps, my joys were ne’er begun
Quote, after hamlet sees Fortinbras taking action, he’s inspired and will now act with strength, and kill Claudius once and for all.
Greater sense of urgency.
Hamlet now realises that his thoughts about vengeance and honour are no substitute for deeds
From this day forth, my thoughts be bloody
Quote, Ophelias last and foreboding words. Did she later on mean to commit suicide? Was it not an accident like Gertrude has suggested?
Sweet ladies, goodnight, goodnight .
Quote, Claudius says hamlet was sent away due to his own actions
He most violent author of his own just remove
Quote, Claudius doesn’t want Laertes to heat of his fathers death through rumours. Idas may become muddled and Claudius could be blamed and he’s always looking out for his image.
Ironic, he killed King Hamlet with poison in the ear
Buzzers to infect his ear
Quote, Claudius says the general public love Hamlet
The great love the general gender bear him
Quote, Hamlet caused both Polonius’ and ophelia’s death. Now laertes wants revenge
And so have I a noble father lost;
A sister driven into desperate terms,
…
but my revenge will come
Quote, laertes will do anything for revenge, including killing hamlet in a church
To cut his throat i’th’church
Quote, Claudius gives consent for laertes to kill hamlet no matter the circumstances
Revenge should have no bounds
Quote, the gravediggers believe Ophelias death was a suicide, contrasting from what Gertrude had said earlier about it being an accident
She drowned herself wittingly
Quote, the day the gravedigger was employed was the day Hamlet was born. This shows the inevitability of death. The same day Hamlet was born, this man was employed who will probably dig his grave
The very dat that young hamlet was born
Quote, Hamlet finds Yoriks skull, his fathers jester, this man obvios,y brought him joy and happiness in his childhood years and now Hamlet sees death in another light
Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest
Quote, Horatio tells Hamlet that he overthinks too much
T’were you consider too curiously
Quote, Hamlet loves Ophelia so much he’d even bury himself alive with her - childish. Acts like it’s a competition for who loved her more
Be buried quick with her
Quote, after returning from England, Hamlet has a new air of confidence and is a lot more self assured
He calls himself by him royal title
Hamlet the Dane
How Claudius describes Polonius
A man faithful and honourable
Advice Polonius gives to laertes. He’s long winded and strong minded
Give thy thoughts no tongue , nor any unproportioned thought his act. Be thou familiar but by no means vulgar
Polonius says, take this advice from me. He is really strong minded and believes he is great and knowledgable
Take this from this, if this be otherwise
Laertes and Hamlet exchange forgiveness. Laertes asks for forgiveness, he’s a noble man
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee
Hamlet feels no remorse for killing R + G as they betrayed him by working for Claudius
They did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience
Horatio suspects it won’t end well
Foreboding
You will loose this wager, my lord
Hamlet apologises to Laertes and blames all he has done on his madness
What I have done that might your nature, honour and exception roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness
Laertes blames all that has happened on Claudius
The king, the kings to blame
Laertes believes Claudius’ death was fair
He is justly served
Hamlet gives fortinbras his dying vote to be king
On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice
Horatio after Hamlet died.
The sharp onomatopoeic verb “cracks” evokes hamlets troubled life and tremendous strain that he endured
Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince
Name of the play in hamlet
The murder of Gonzago
Reality of mortality and meaning of life
Theme of death
Gertrude is unaware of the depth of her sons grief
“Thou know’st ‘‘tis common, all that lives must die”
Deceptive appearances
Ownership of women
Chasity
“The will of my seeming-virtuous Queen”
Appearances can be deceiving and you never know who to trust, who is the true villain
“That one may smile and smile and be a villain”
Neglect. Overgrown with weeds = corruption
Things rank and gross in nature
Hamlet criticises his mother’s hasty remarriage compatingbit to that of a wild animal
A beast … would have mourned longer
Imagery of violence and war suggests that hamlet is fighting an inner battle with his mind.
Even poor hamlet is a victim of his madness.
His madness is his enemy in war
Slings and arrows
Overwhelming challenges of life
He feels unequal to the task set to him by the ghost
Sea of troubles
Words as weapons
Happier to avoid violence
Would never physically hurt his mother
I will speak daggers to her but use none
