Hamlet Review!
Summary
• Act 1: Hamlet is upset that his mother married
his uncle after his father’s death. Watchmen
and Horatio see a ghost, Hamlet goes to see
the ghost who says he should avenge his
father’s death.
Act II
• Hamlet starts acting crazy and Polonius thinks
its because of Hamlet’s relationship with
Ophelia. Laertes, Ophelia’s brother did not
approve. Polonius discouraged the
relationship to see what would happen.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are told to spy
on Hamlet. R&G tell Hamlet there is a theater
group. He has them perform the Murder of
Gonzago “The Mouse Trap” with some
changes he made.
Act III
• Hamlet does his famous soliloquy while Claudius
and Polonius hide behind tapestry. Ophelia
comes by and Hamlet rejects her.
• The play begins. Horatio and Hamlet will be
looking for signs of guilt from the king.
• Hamlet sees Claudius praying, does not kill him so
he won’t go to heaven.
• Goes to Gertrude’s chamber, stabs Polonius who
was hiding behind a curtain. Hamlet sees the
ghost again and his mom thinks he’s mad (crazy).
• He must be sent to England.
Act IV
• Supposed to go to England with R&G.
• On the way, Fortinbras is going to fight over a
small piece of land.
• Ophelia goes crazy, Laertes fumes back to
avenge father’s death. Ophelia drowns
herself.
• Hamlet comes back arranges R&G to be killed.
Act V
• Hamlet comes back. See grave diggers and discusses death with
Horatio.
• See that they are burying Ophelia. Jumps in grave, argues with
Laertes.
• Laertes and Hamlet duel, the plan is that Laertes has a poisoned
sword and the wine is poisoned.
• Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine, Hamlet and Laertes are hit with
the poison sword because they had switched swords.
• Hamlet learns all of this and stabs Claudius through, makes him
finish the poisoned wine.
• Laertes and Hamlet forgive each other. Hamlet tells Horatio to stay
alive to tell his story and that Fortinbras should be next king of
Denmark.
• Aside: an actor’s speech that is not supposed
to be heard by other actors on stage, directed
to audience. An aside is usually used to let the
audience know what a character is about to
do or what he or she is thinking.
"A little more than kin, and less than kind!"
• Denouement- Fortinbras becoming king.
• Soliloquy- n act of speaking one's thoughts
aloud when by oneself or regardless of any
hearers, esp. by a character in a play.
• Monologue- long speech by one actor in a
play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or
broadcast program.
• Foils- Laertes and Fortinbras
• Catharsis- process of releasing, and thereby
providing relief from, strong or repressed
emotions, purgation. (the end/swordfight)
• Tragic flaw- inability to act/ avenge his father.
Themes
•
•
•
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Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Sanity vs. insanity
Decay/ corruption
Spying
Closing
• Look at the following quotes and write a response using the prompts below.
You should have your name on the paper and the response should be 2-3
sentences. When you turn in your paper, you get a surprise! 
Prompts:
The big idea here is….
I didn’t expect….
This reminds me of…..
I can picture……
Quotes: “The play is the thing, wherein I catch the conscience of the king” Hamlet
“The Lady doth protest too much.” -Gertrude
“Revenge is a dish best served cold.” -Hamlet
“Get thee to a nunnery!” -Hamlet
“To be or not to be, that is the question.” -Hamlet