A.P. Literature
Hamlet Act I discussion questions
1.
How does Shakespeare begin the play with an immediate sense of suspense?
1. There is a ghost.
2. It is the middle of the night.
3. The guard seems paranoid.
4. Denmark is in unrest.
2.
How does the reader/audience know this ghost is not a hallucination?
-It has been seen by three men (Marcellus, Horatio, and Barnardo)
3. What important exposition is revealed at the beginning of this scene?
-
The return of Old Hamlet.
-
The conflict with Norway.
4. What evidence of wrongdoing or corruption is evident in Claudius’ opening speech?
-
5. Compare Claudius’ treatment of Laertes with his treatment of Hamlet.
-With Laertes he is friendly and convivial.
-With Hamlet he is a bit condescending, but he also says he loves him, etc. His sincerity is the matter of
question.
6. Why did Hamlet not become King when his father died?
-Denmark is an elective monarchy.
7. What aspect of Hamlet’s problem seems to bother him the most?
-Claudius is not the man his father was.
-His mother is weak.
-The marriage is too soon.
8. What important metaphor is introduced in Hamlet’s soliloquy that will be developed later int eh
play?
-Page 73
9. Explain the reasons that Laertes and Polonius give Ophelia to convince her not to trust Hamlet’s
love.
-He is young, royal, and only wants to ruin her chastity.
10. What is comical about Polonius?
-He is long-winded, and quick to give advice. However, he is slow to follow it. He is an underhanded
sneak.
A.P.Literature
Hamlet Act I
Discussion Questions
1. Why does the ghost of Hamlet’s father appear but not speak to the officers on sentinel
duty?
According to Renaissance belief, the ghost could not speak until spoken to. Horatio, a scholar, is
chosen to address the ghost because of his knowledge of Latin (he can perform an exorcism).
2.
What do Ghostly apparitions usually portend, according to these witnesses?
To the witnesses: An omen of unrest in the state of Denmark.
To others:
1. An omen of Denmark’s destructions
2. A spirit come to finish Earthly business
3. A soul from purgatory wanting remembrance
4. A ghost/demon wanting to lure someone to their death.
3.
What is the content of the dispatches Claudius has sent with Voltemand and Cornelius to
the king of Norway?
A letter is sent to young Fortinbras’ uncle telling him of the young man’s plan to use the country of
Norway’s recourses for unlawful revenge.
4.
In his soliloquy, what are Hamlet’s reasons for objecting to his mother’s remarriage?
-Hamlet’s father had only been dead two months.
-His father was excellent in comparison to Claudius.
-His mother, and all women, are frail.
-It’s incest (technically).
5.
What advice does Laertes give to Ophelia as he says farewell to her prior to his departure
for Paris?
Disregard the advances of Hamlet. His political position does not allow him to love whom he
chooses.
6.
What advice does she give Laertes in return?
Practice what you preach, bro.
7.
What is the thrust of the advice Polonius gives Laertes as his son prepares to leave?
See page 91
Act 1, Scene 3, 55-80
“Be a good person” – “Make good choices”
8.
What does Polonius instruct Ophelia to do regarding Hamlet?
Do not believe his vows. He is only full of lust and hot air. He wants to take advantage of your
nature (chastity).
9.
What does the apparition tell Hamlet?
-He was murdered by Claudius.
-He wants to be avenged.
-He wants Hamlet to tell the state of Denmark the truth.
-He wants Hamlet not to be mad at Gertrude, his mommy.
10. What two-part oath does Hamlet extract from his companions following the encounter with
the Ghost?
-Do not speak of what you have seen.
-Do not comment to anyone if I seem strange in the coming days.