Hamlet
Act One Scene Two
Claudius – the new King of Denmark and Hamlet’s uncle, married now to
Hamlet’s mother Gertrude
Gertrude – Hamlet’s widowed mother, now married to Claudius
Voltemand – Danish councilor and ambassador to Norway
Cornelius – Danish councilor and ambassador to Norway
Polonius – an elderly councilor of state, advisor to the King
Laertes – son of Polonius
Hamlet – son of King Hamlet and Gertrude
Even though Claudius speaks of the loss of King Hamlet being fresh (“the memory be green”), what has
he done? (page 34)
Claudius mentions Young Fortinbras as being after something. What? (page 34)
What does Claudius send Voltemand and Cornelius to Norway to do? (page 34, 36)
What does Laertes ask of the new King? (page 36)
Notice Claudius speaks to Voltemand and Cornelius using the first person plural “we”, but speaks to
Laertes using “I”. Why?
And finally, Claudius speaks to Hamlet. By justifying his marriage to Gertrude, dealing with politics and
Laertes first, what does this suggest about the King’s relationship towards his ‘son’?
Why does Claudius choose a public place to meet Hamlet instead of trying to speak to him in private?
“A little more than kin, and less than kind.” What is Hamlet saying? What does this tell us about the way
Hamlet feels towards the King? (page 38)
“I am too much i’th’sun.” Again, translation?
What comforting words does the Queen try to say to her son?
We learn from Hamlet’s paragraph that he is wearing black, mourning clothes. But what does Hamlet
say he is feeling?
Does Claudius try to comfort Hamlet? What does he suggest on page 40?
How does the King speak to Hamlet, using first person singular or first person plural? Why?
Does Hamlet agree or disagree with the King’s request?
Look at Hamlet’s first soliloquy on page 42.
What does he wish that the Almighty had not outlawed?
How does Hamlet feel about life itself at this point?
How long has King Hamlet been dead?
Why is Hamlet angry with his mother, Queen Gertrude?
Why does he allude to his mother’s new marriage as “incestuous sheets”?
“It is not, and cannot come to good.” Is this foreshadowing on Shakespeare’s part, or just a
bitter child speaking?
Why does Horatio say he has come to Elsinore? (page 44)
Horatio agrees that the wedding happened very quickly after the funeral. Then Hamlet says,
“The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.” Meaning? (page 46)
On page 46, what does Horatio and the other men begin to tell Hamlet?
Is it important that the ghost was seen in full armour?
Why is Hamlet asking so many questions of Horatio and the men? (page 50)
What does Hamlet decide he will do about this ghost sighting?
What does Hamlet ask of his men?
“Foul deeds will rise, though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.” Does Hamlet suspect
something? What do you think Hamlet is going to ask the ghost? What do you think Hamlet suspects?