HAMLET ACT 1 Flashcards
Who are the two soldiers on guard at the beginning of Act 1?
Francisco and Bernardo.
What strange event do the guards witness before the play begins?
The ghost of the late King Hamlet appears.
Who is Horatio, and why is he present with the guards?
Horatio is Hamlet’s friend; the guards bring him to confirm the ghost sighting.
What does the ghost resemble?
The ghost looks like the late King Hamlet, wearing his battle armor.
Why is Denmark preparing for war?
Young Fortinbras of Norway plans to reclaim lands lost by his father to King Hamlet.
Who is Claudius, and what is his relationship to King Hamlet and Prince Hamlet?
Claudius is King Hamlet’s brother, Prince Hamlet’s uncle, and now the new King of Denmark.
Who does Claudius marry, and why is it controversial?
Claudius marries Gertrude, King Hamlet’s widow, soon after her husband’s death.
What advice does Claudius give to Hamlet about mourning his father?
Claudius tells Hamlet it’s unmanly and inappropriate to grieve excessively.
How does Hamlet feel about his mother’s remarriage?
Hamlet is disgusted and considers it hasty and disrespectful.
What is Hamlet’s famous line about the world in his first soliloquy?
“How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable / Seem to me all the uses of this world!”
What does Laertes warn Ophelia about?
He warns her to stay away from Hamlet, as his love may not be genuine or lasting.
What advice does Polonius give to Laertes before he leaves for France?
“Give thy thoughts no tongue,” “Neither a borrower nor a lender be,” and “To thine own self be true.”
What does Polonius instruct Ophelia to do regarding Hamlet?
Polonius tells her to reject Hamlet’s advances and avoid him.
How does Hamlet react when Horatio tells him about the ghost?
He is intrigued and insists on seeing the ghost himself.
What time of night does the ghost usually appear?
Midnight.
What does the ghost reveal to Hamlet in their encounter?
The ghost reveals that Claudius murdered King Hamlet by pouring poison in his ear.
How does the ghost want Hamlet to deal with Claudius and Gertrude?
The ghost urges Hamlet to seek revenge on Claudius but to leave Gertrude to her conscience.
What does Hamlet vow after meeting the ghost?
He vows to avenge his father’s murder and focus solely on this mission.
How does Hamlet plan to act after learning about the murder?
He decides to “put an antic disposition on” (pretend to be mad).
What does Hamlet make Horatio and the guards swear after the ghost encounter?
He makes them swear secrecy about the ghost and his plan to feign madness.
