Hamlet--Review for test
Shakespearean tragic heroes were never perfect men to start out with. They were usually men from
high positions who, as a result of flaws in their character, fall from that position and either suffer
tremendous disgrace or death. When we read Hamlet, we are aware of Hamlet's flaws as well as his
strengths. Hamlet has difficulty deciding and then acting on what he knows he must do. But also he
is a tremendously passionate man who loves as deeply as he hates. Keep in mind the following traits
for each of the following characters:
Hamlet
depressed
suicidal
clever
sane/insane
distrustful of women
contemplative
intellectual
noble
Claudius
ambitious (at all costs)
ruthless
clever
uses people to achieve his own ends
repentant (about his brother's murder--but only after the play within the play that indicates
Claudius's guilt) This repentance is slight, obviously, or he would have been able to complete his
prayer, and he would not have been able to allow Gertrude to drink the poison.
Gertrude
weak of heart
passionate
sensual
passive
unconscious about having done anything wrong
Ophelia
seemingly innocent nature
obedient to father
mentally fragile
deceitful (according to Hamlet)
Laertes
honorable
impulsive
direct
temperamental
young and free initially in the play
less complicated than Hamlet is
loyal to his father and sister
a kind of foil character to Hamlet?
Polonius
constantly into everyone's business
inquisitive
hard-handed father
well-intentioned
self-seeking
politician's personality
somewhat devious and sneaky
King Hamlet
According to his son, King Hamlet (the Ghost) was the ideal man, king, husband, and father.
tormented
sympathetic (at least of Gertrude)
vengeful (at least of Claudius)
a goodly king
Horatio
reasonable
moderate
loyal
Fortinbras
Hamlet's foil character
passionate
action-oriented
determined
decisive
1.What is Hamlet's tragic flaw?
2.What seems to be Gertrude's major flaw?
3.What kind of man is Polonius?
4.Is Hamlet sane, insane, or a cross between the two?
5.Why is the Ghost wandering between heaven and hell?
6.What are the possibilities that the Ghost could be?
7.What do Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras have in common? How do they differ?
8.What kind of man is Laertes? What makes him especially vulnerable to manipulations by
Claudius?
9.What is the purpose of the "play within the play"?
10.What does Hamlet mean by "to be or not to be"?
11.Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia "get thee to a nunnery"?
12. Why is Claudius upset about Hamlet's reaction to his father's death?
13.Why does Hamlet insist that Gertrude refrain from sharing a bed with Claudius?
14.Why is Fortinbras an important element in this play?
15.Why was it possible that Ophelia might not be given a Christian burial?
16.Why do we see ourselves or are reminded of ourselves when we read Hamlet?
17.Do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern actively try to kill Hamlet?
18.Why do the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern bother us?
19. Why does Laertes forgive Hamlet?
20. Describe the relationship between Polonius and Laertes.