Name:
Hamlet Pre-Reading Writing Prompt
Before reading what is considered William Shakespeare’s best play, there are a few topics to think about and discuss
that will help us understand some of the ideas behind the tragedy.
Answer the following questions in 2-3 complete sentences each.
1. When people witness what they think to be ghosts, why is validation of this vision from others important?
2. What is the proper amount of time one should mourn a parent?
3. What do you think about a stepparent who asks you to call him/her “mom” or “dad”? Is that ever acceptable?
4. What do you think about arranged marriages? Do your parents ever try to set you up with any of their friends’
sons or daughters?
5. “Nothing is sacred.” Do you believe this? Why or why not?
©Noelle Franzen 2013
Name:
Hamlet Comprehension Questions—Act I
Please answer each question in complete sentences, and as thoroughly as possible. Use another sheet of paper if
necessary.
1. Describe the setting of Hamlet and the initial action of the play.
2. Why is there confusion between Francisco and Bernardo?
3. Who is Horatio, and why is he with Marcellus?
4. How does Horatio respond initially to the appearance of the ghost?
5. Explain the war preparations in Denmark.
6. Why do you think the ghost appears without speaking?
7. What do we learn about whom King Hamlet has just killed?
©Noelle Franzen 2013
8. Does the ghost’s visit have anything to do with the impending war?
9. Why are there two discussions of the crowing of the cock? What is the difference between the two?
10. What does the reader know so far about the ghost?
11. What is Claudius’s speech to the court about? What does he say about Fortinbras?
12. What do Claudius and Gertrude want Hamlet to do?
13. What is Claudius’s argument against Hamlet’s “prolonged” mourning?
14. In Hamlet’s first soliloquy, he tells us what is bothering him. What is it? What is his tone?
15. How does Hamlet respond to the news of the ghost’s appearance? Why does he think the ghost has visited?
©Noelle Franzen 2013
16. Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, warns her about something. What is it?
17. Is Ophelia willing to discuss this with her father, Polonius?
18. What do we know about Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia by the end of scene three?
19. How does Hamlet respond to the ghost? What does the ghost ask Hamlet to do?
20. Does Hamlet accept his task? Describe his emotions.
21. Hamlet’s second soliloquy follows this meeting. What has Hamlet learned?
©Noelle Franzen 2013