Hamlet Act I Review

What is the situation between Norway and Denmark when the play opens?

• Denmark just invaded Norway

• They are at peace

• Norway is preparing to retaliate against Denmark

Answer explanation

King Hamlet (Prince Hamlet's father) had slain King Fortinbras of Norway in combat and reclaimed land for Denmark. He adds that young Fortinbras "Of unimproved mettle hot and full" (1.1. 96) is massing an army to win back the land that King Hamlet had taken.

Hamlet expresses much anger toward his mother.  What is the reason for his anger?

• He resents her because Claudius grounded him

• She married his uncle and sees it as an act of betrayal

• He suspects she had a part to play in his father's death

• She wanted to send him back to university

Answer explanation

The reader quickly learns that Hamlet is upset with his mother because she married Hamlet's uncle instead of grieving for his father. Hamlet sees it as an act of betrayal. Throughout the play, we'll see as Hamlet develops a plan of revenge for the death of his father, the king.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What is the concern of Laertes and Polonius about Ophelia and Hamlet? 

__

• Hamlet is already with another woman

• Hamlet is trying to kill the king

• Hamlet is only using her and doesn't actually care for her

• Ophelia could do better

Answer explanation

Both her brother Laertes and father Polonius tell her that the man that she loves is using her, that he will discard her, and that she should not trust her own heart. She is a dutiful daughter.

How does the state of Denmark believe King Hamlet died? 

• Poison

• Snakebite

• Pushed off a cliff

• Stabbed in the back

Answer explanation

King Hamlet of Denmark dies suddenly and his brother Claudius a few weeks later marries the widow, his sister-in-law, Queen Gertrude; according to the official explanation, a snakebite was the cause of his death. However, how did he actually die?

Who said this?

“ ‘Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,

A serpent stung me.  So the whole ear of Denmark

Is by a forged process of my death

Rankly abused.  But know, thou noble youth,

The serpent that did sting thy father’s life

Now wears his crown.” (I.iv.42-47)

• Fortinbras

• Laertes

• Polonius

• King Hamlet

Answer explanation

The Ghost of King Hamlet says this to his son, thus beginning his quest for vengeance against Claudius.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Who said this?

“Good Hamlet, cast they nighted color off,

And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.

Do not forever with thy valied lids

Seek for they noble father in the dust.

Thou know’st tis common; all that lives must die,

Passing through  nature to eternity.”(ii  70-75)

• Gertrude

• Ophelia

• Horatio

• Marcellus

Answer explanation

Gertrude tells Hamlet that he should no longer wear black mourning clothes and that he should look happier. She tells him he should not keep his eye downward as if he were looking for his father in the dirt.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Who said this?

“She married.  O, most wicked speed, to post

With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

It is not, nor it cannot come to good.

But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.”(ii 161-164)

• Claudius

• Horatio

• Hamlet

• Benvolio

Answer explanation

Hamlet is angry at how quickly his mother married his uncle damning herself to hell.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Who said this?

“Revenge his foul, and most unnatural murder.” (iv 31)

• Horatio

• King Hamlet

• Hamlet

• Claudius

Answer explanation

The Ghost of Hamlet's father commands his son to do so, thus perpetuating the vow of revenge Hamlet will commit himself to for the majority of the play.

Hamlet

• Lord Chamberlain/Advisor to the king

• Father was killed by King Hamlet, planning to enact his revenge

• Son of the advisor of the king, cares about his sister

Claudius

• Brother of the former king

• Advisor to the King

• King of Norway

• A friend of Hamlet's

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10