Humanities
Hamlet
Mr. Waterman & Ms. Sonni
Discussion Questions
Act 1, Scene 1
1. How does Hamlet feel about the state of Denmark upon his return from school? Please cite specific
lines.
2. What is Hamlet’s reaction to Horatio’s news about the sighting of the ghost?
3. How does Horatio describe the ghost to Hamlet?
Act 1, Scene 2
1. Scene 2 opens with Claudius speaking to his court, where he uses antithesis to convey various
emotions and conflicts. Antithesis: the opposition of words or phrases against each other, as in “To
be, or not to be’, and ‘I must be cruel to only to be kind”, is one of Shakespeare’s favorite language
devices. Antithesis powerfully expresses conflict through its use of opposites, and conflict is the
essence of all drama. In Hamlet, conflict occurs in many forms. Claudius versus Hamlet, revenge
versus justice, son versus mother and so on. Antithesis intensifies that sense of conflict.
a. Identify examples of antithesis in Claudius’ speech AND
b. Explain what emotions and/or conflicts these lines convey to the audience.
2. Shakespeare uses puns to show the uncomfortable family situation of Hamlet, Claudius, and
Gertrude. Hamlet immediately picks up on the kinship implications of Claudius’s use of “cousin” and
“son” and uses puns to imply his disapproval of the relationship.
a. Find the two puns in lines 67-69 and explain their significance.
b. Take a look at lines 70 – 88. How does Hamlet use “seems” as a pun?
Act 1, Scene 3
1. Why does Ophelia so quickly break her promise? In lines 93-94, Ophelia promises to keep Laertes’s
advice secret. But three lines later she begins to tell Polonius what the advice was about. Suggest
one or two reasons for her so quickly breaking her promise.
2. What advice does Polonius give to Laertes?
Act 1, Scene 4
1. In lines 9- 13, Hamlet explains that “A flourish of trumpets and two pieces [cannons] goes off” means
that Claudius is celebrating with revelry (“wake”), drinking (“rouse”, “wassail”) and wild dances
(“swaggering up-spring reels”). In Scene 2, lines 125-31, Claudius had promised such noisy revelry.
Hamlet deplores this tradition of the Danes, saying more honor results from not following the custom
(“More honored in the breach than the observance”).
a. Write down, giving reasons, the tone in which you think Hamlet speaks lines 8-22.
b. Also give an example of a custom that is practiced today that you think would be more
honored in the breach than the observance.
2. Hamlet is unsure about what kind of apparition he sees. Is it a good spirit from heaven or an evil
goblin from hell, tempting him to eternal damnation? He expresses his uncertainty in vivid
antitheses (1.4.43-61).
a. Identify examples of antithesis in lines 43-61.
b. What concerns does Horatio have about Hamlet wanting to speak to the Ghost?
Act 1, Scene 5
1. The ghost speaks to Hamlet, revealing how he died and why he wants revenge. Please cite lines from
the play in answering the questions below.
a. How did King Hamlet die?
b. How does the Ghost describe Claudius?
c. How does Hamlet react what the Ghost tells him?
2. What does Hamlet ask of Horatio and Marcellus? Cite lines to support your answer.
3. What is Hamlet’s plan for avenging his father’s death? Cite lines to support your answer.