AP Literature/Composition
Hamlet
Reader’s Guide
Our Discussion Questions
ACT I
Act I – What elements of exposition does the act provide?
 Scene 1
› Describe the mood of the opening scene. How is the mood created?
› Shakespeare uses the convention of in medias res. What important events have already
occurred? How is the audience affected?
› How is Horatio characterized? How does Shakespeare achieve the characterization?
› Which topics/themes are introduced in Scene 1? How are they introduced?
 Scene 2
› What primary conflict is introduced? Who is Hamlet’s antagonist?
› What do we learn from Hamlet’s first soliloquy?
› What imagery is notable in the soliloquy? What might the images symbolize?
› Identify the puns in Hamlet’s first few lines. Hamlet’s fondness for puns would support
which theme in the play? What does is also tell us about his character?
 Scene 3
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How are Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia characterized? Describe their relationships.
How are Hamlet and Laertes similar?
What is Ophelia’s dilemma?
 Scene 4
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Describe the mood of the scene. How do the characters’ speeches reinforce the mood?
What might Marcellus’s famous line, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
foreshadow?
 Scene 5
› How is the principal conflict of the play established in this scene?
› What does the Ghost warn Hamlet against?
› Which principal theme does the meeting between Hamlet and the Ghost reinforce?
ACT II
Act II – What elements of rising action are contained in Act II?
 Scene 1
› Through his words and actions relating to Laertes, how is Polonius characterized?
› How is Polonius’ acceptance of Hamlet’s pretense of lovesick madness an example of
dramatic irony?
› How does the scene reinforce the theme of appearance vs. reality?
 Scene 2
› In Act II Hamlet, Claudius, and Polonius make plans to spy on and entrap one of the
other characters. Explain each plan. How do the intents of the plans differ? Which plan
will have the most influence on the outcome of the play?
› What forms does Hamlet’s “antic disposition” take?
› What does Gertrude suggest is the cause of Hamlet’s odd behavior?
› What does Claudius probably fear is the root of Hamlet’s problem?
› How is Polonius’ line, “Brevity is the soul of wit,” ironic?
› How does Hamlet’s soliloquy at the end of Act II reinforce the themes of revenge and
appearance vs. reality?
ACT III
Act III – How does Act III provide the structural climax or turning point of the play?
 Scene 1
› How does Shakespeare develop Claudius as a complex character rather than a
stereotypical stage villain?
› What does his famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy tell us about Hamlet’s state of
mind?
› How does Shakespeare depict Hamlet through his interaction with Ophelia? What might
be the cause of Hamlet’s behavior?
› How do Claudius’ and Hamlet’s actions form an ironic parallel?
 Scene 2
› How is the play-within-a-play an important structural and thematic element?
› What ironic change does Hamlet make in the script? What is his purpose in doing so?
 Scene 3
› How do the events of Scene 3 advance the plot?
› Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius when he has the chance?
› Which of Hamlet’s character traits is reinforced by his action?
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Compare and contrast Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as friends of Hamlet and Horatio
as a friend of Hamlet.
 Scene 4
› How is Hamlet’s killing of Polonius a costly mistake?
› How does Hamlet view his father? His mother? How do these conflicting views help us
understand Hamlet’s character?
› Compare and contrast the murder of King Hamlet with the murder of Polonius. How do
these events clarify the conflict between Hamlet and Laertes?
› How does Hamlet’s final speeches in the scene prepare for the next act?
ACT IV
Act IV – Which elements of falling action included in Act IV? How does the pace of the act compare
to the pace of the first three?
 Scene 1
› How does Shakespeare continue to develop Gertrude’s character?
 Scene 2
› What aspect of Hamlet’s character is highlighted in this scene?
 Scene 3
› How does the scene advance the plot and create suspense?
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Why didn’t Claudius provide an elaborate state funeral for Polonius? Would such a
funeral be expected?
 Scene 4
› How is Fortinbras characterized? What is his role in the play?
› In Hamlet’s last soliloquy what is his chief feeling? What had prompted the feeling?
 Scene 5
› What accusations does Laertes make toward Claudius? How does Claudius respond?
› Compare the “mad” scenes of Hamlet and Ophelia. What do the scenes reveal about
the nature of each character?
› How is the theme of revenge renewed in this scene?
› How does Laertes also serve as a foil to Hamlet? Who is Hamlet’s other foil?
 Scene 6
› What events in the scene contribute to suspense or uncertainty?
ACT V
Act V – Which events in the act serve as the resolution and denoument?
 Scene 1
› What effect does the Gravedigger’s scene have on the tone of the play at this point?
› Why would Shakespeare include this much humor in Act V?
› Why is Ophelia denied full burial rites?
› How does Hamlet’s behavior at the burial play directly into Claudius’s plan?
› How is the theme of death developed?
› How is the theme of appearance vs. reality developed?
› How is Claudius’s and Gertrude’s assessment of Hamlet ironic?
 Scene 2
› How do Hamlet’s remarks to Horatio (V.ii.4-10) reflect significant changes in Hamlet’s
character and in his attitude toward life itself?
› What were the “marvelous events” Hamlet related to Horatio?
› Why do you suppose there are no soliloquies in Act V?
› What does the Queen ask of Hamlet before his fight with Laertes?
› What is the King’s bet?
› How do Laertes, Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet die?
› Was Gertrude aware that the wine was poisoned? How does her death effect the final
events?
› As he is dying, what does Hamlet ask of Horatio?
› In what ways does the final scene cure Denmark’s disease?
› What is ironic about Forinbras becoming head of the government?
› Throughout the play, how do the characters and their relationships develop the idea of
love/loyalty?