Questions for Hamlet

Act 1

1. The first scene (like many other scenes in this s play) is full of expressions of uncertainty. What are some of these uncertainties? The Ghost first appears at 1.1.42. Does his appearance surprise is, or have we been prepared for it? Or is there both preparation and surprise? Do the last four speeches of 1.1 help to introduce a note of hope? If so, how?
2. Does the King's opening speech in 1.2 reveal him to be an accomplished public speaker - or are line 10-14 offensive? In his second speech (lines 41-49), what is the effect of naming Laertes four times? Claudius sometimes uses the royal pronouns ("we" or "our"), and sometimes the more intimate "I" and "my". Study his use of these in lines 1-4 and 106-117. What do you think he is getting at? Note the use of paired opposites in the beginning of his first speech, can you list them?
3. Hamlet's first soliloquy (1.2.129.159) reveals more than just his father's death distresses him. Be as specific as possible about the causes of Hamlet's anguish here. What traits does Hamlet reveal in his conversation with Horatio (1.2.160-258)?
4. What do you make of Polonius' Advice to Laertes (1.3.55-81)? Is it sound? Sound advice, but here uttered by a fool? Ignoble advice? How would one follow the advice of line 78: "to thine own self be true"? In his words to Ophelia in 1.3.102-136, what does he reveal about himself?
5. Can 1.4.17-38 reasonably be taken a speech on the "tragic flaw"? Or is the passage a much more limited discussion, a comment simply on Danish drinking habits?
6. Hamlet is convinced in 1.5.93-104 that the Ghost has told the truth, indeed, the only important truth. But do we detect in 105-112 a hint of a tone suggesting that Hamlet delights in hating villainy? If so, can it be said that later this delight grows, and that in some scenes (e.g., 3.3) we feel Hamlet has almost become a diabolic revenger? Explain. Later this revenge theme seems to fade into self questioning, is this impulse toward revenge and subsequent lack of impulse related?

Act 2

1. Characterize Polonius on the basis of 2.1.1-76
2. In the light of what we have seen of Hamlet, is Ophelia's report of his strange behavior when he visits her understandable?
3. Why does 2.2.33-34 seem almost comic? How do these lines help us to form a view about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
4. Is "the hellish Pyrrhus" (2.2.419) Hamlets version of Claudius? Or is he Hamlet, who will soon be responsible for the deaths of Polonius, Rosencranz and Guildenstern, Claudius, Ophelia, and Laertes? Note what Pyrrhus does just before he kills Priam: what is that word and how does it relate to Hamlet?
5. Is the First Player's speech (2.2.427ff) a huffing (boasting, advertising) speech? If so why? To distinguish it from the poetry of the play itself? To characterize the bloody deeds to which Hamlet cannot descend?
6. In 2.2.504-42, the Rogue Speech, Hamlet rebukes himself for not acting. Why has he not acted? Because he is a coward (as he asks the audience in line 531)? Because he has a conscience? Because no action can restore his father and his mother's purity? Because he doubts the Ghost? What reason(s) can you offer? What is his terrible realization about himself in this speech?
7. There are three tests of Hamlet in this Act, what are they, on the level of the characters themselves, and as what these characters stand for in Hamlet's world?

Act 3

1. What do you make of Hamlet's assertion to Ophelia: "I loved you not (3.1.118)? Of his characterization of himself as full of "offenses" (3.1.121-72)? Hamlet plays with a helpless Ophelia throughout this scene, how does he manipulate her and what is her response?
2. In 3.3.36-72 Claudius' conscience afflicts him but is he repentant? What makes you say so?
3. Is Hamlet other than abhorrent in 2.2.73-96? Do we want him to kill Claudius at this moment when Claudius (presumably with his back to Hamlet) is praying? Why?
4. The Ghost speaks of Hamlet's "almost blunted purpose" (3.4.115). Is the accusation fair? Explain.
5. How would you characterize the Hamlet who speaks in 3.4.209-24?
6. This Act can be seen as a contest between Claudius and Hamlet provided the character of Claudius is played strongly. Who wins?

Act 4

1. Is Gertrude protecting Hamlet when she says he is mad (4.1.7), or does she believe he is mad? If she believes he is mad, does it follow that she no longer feels ashamed and guilty? Explain.
2. Why should Hamlet hide Polonius's body (in 4.2)? Is he feigning madness? Is he on the edge of madness? Explain.
3. How can we explain Hamlet's willingness to go to England (4.3.52)?
4. What effect does the sight of Fortinbras' army have on Hamlet that prompts him to his 'Inform' speech? What is the center of this speech? How is this scene put together to create juxtapositions; for example, what relationship does Fortinbras have to Hamlet dramatically?
5. Judging from 4.5, what has driven Ophelia mad? Is Laertes heroic or somewhat foolish? Consider this last scene as a temptation scene and watch Claudius manipulate Laertes' emotions

Act 5

1. Would anything be lost if the gravediggers in 5.1 were omitted?
2. To what extent do we judge Hamlet severely for sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths, as he reports in 5.2? On the whole, do we think of Hamlet as an intriguer? What other intrigues has he engendered? How successful were they?
3. Does 5.2.193.97 show a complete nihilism, a rejecting of all meaning or a kind of transcendent wisdom? There is a spectrum of interpretation for this short speech and on it depends how we read this play. What do you think?
4. Does 5.2.280 suggest Laertes takes advantage of a momentary pause and unfairly stabs Hamlet? Is the exchange of weapons accidental, or does Hamlet (as in Olivier's film version), realizing that he has been betrayed, deliberately get possession of Laertes' deadly weapon? Follow the poison!
5. Fortinbras is often cut from the play. How much is lost by the cut, who is he to Hamlet? Explain.
6. Fortinbras gives Hamlet a soldier's funeral. Is this ridiculous? Can it fairly be said that, in a sense, Hamlet has been at war? Explain.
7. Consider Hamlet and Horatio's relationship in this Act, what is Horatio to Hamlet formally, and otherwise as seen here?
8. How many meanings can you fine for the word "rest" in Hamlet's last words to Horatio.

General Questions

1. Hamlet in 5.2.10-11 speaks of a "divinity that shapes our ends". To what extent does "divinity" (or Fate or mysterious Chance) play a role in the happenings?
2. How do Laertes, Fortinbras , and Horatio help to define Hamlet for us?
3. Consider what Gertrude knows that we do not: her relationship with Hamlet Sr. and Claudius when they were younger, her relationship with Hamlet as he was growing up, her observations of the reigning styles of two kings.