Hamlet Review Questions
ACT I
Scene i
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For what are Bernardo and Marcellus waiting?
At what time does the ghost appear?
Who is the ghost?
What does Horatio think the appearance of the king means?
What occurred between Old Hamlet and Fortinbras of Norway?
For what is Denmark preparing?
What does Horatio compare the coming of the ghost to?
Who does Horatio and Marcellus tell about the ghost?
Is the ghost real, a figment of the imagination, or an ominous warning?
Scene ii
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Claudius talks as if he was hesitant in marrying Gertrude. Do you think this was the case? Why?
What does Fortinbras want?
Where and for what purpose does Claudius send Cornelius and Voltemand?
What does Laertes want from Claudius?
What do you make of Hamlet’s first lines being an aside? What does this tell us about Hamlet? What
pattern will it set up for us?
6. Claudius reprimands Hamlet for his sorrow, describing it as “unmanly grief.” Is this suspicious or
natural?
7. What request does Claudius deny Hamlet?
8. How long did Claudius and Gertrude mourn Old Hamlet before marrying?
9. How do Hamlet and Horatio know each other?
10. What does Horatio report to Hamlet?
11. What oath does Hamlet ask Horatio and the guards to make?
Scene iii
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What does Laertes say to Ophelia regarding Hamlet?
What is the meaning of Polonius’ speech to Laertes?
What does Polonius demand of Ophelia?
Scene iv
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What is Hamlet’s opinion of Claudius and his merry making?
Why does Horatio advise Hamlet against following the ghost?
Scene v
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What does the ghost ask of Hamlet?
What are the details of Old Hamlet’s murder?
Why does Old Hamlet’s soul reside in purgatory?
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Who does the king ask Hamlet to spare?
What does Hamlet ask of Horatio and Marcellus?
How does Hamlet say he will act in the future?
ACT II
Scene One
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What does Polonius ask Reynaldo to do?
What is Ophelia so distraught?
What does Polonius believe is causing Hamlet’s madness?
Scene Two
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What does Claudius ask of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
What does Gertrude believe is the cause of Hamlet’s madness?
What does Voltemand report?
How will Polonius’ theory be tested?
What does Hamlet say about Denmark?
What does Hamlet immediately know about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s visit?
Who makes a surprising visit to Elsinore?
Why would Hamlet want to hear the speech about Pyrrhus?
What play would Hamlet like to see?
How does Hamlet plan to catch Claudius?
ACT III
Scene One
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What is Ophelia’s role in the spying of Polonius and Claudius?
What confession does Claudius make in his aside?
What does Hamlet return to Ophelia?
Who do you think Hamlet attacks Ophelia so ruthlessly? Who or what is he really attacking?
What theory concerning Hamlet’s madness does Claudius retract?
Where does Claudius plan to send Hamlet?
Who does Polonius believe will get to the bottom of Hamlet’s madness?
Scene Two
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What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do as the play is being performed?
What does Polonius’ past role of Julius Caesar foreshadow?
What did the silent show pantomime?
What does Gertrude mean by “the lady doth protest too much” (3.2.254)?
What is the “seduction play” called?
How does Claudius respond to the play?
What puns are present in Hamlet’s chastising of Guildenstern? What does Hamlet reveal he knows?
Scene Three
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Where does Claudius decide Hamlet must go?
What act can Claudius not do?
Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius outright?
Scene Four
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To whom is Gertrude referring when she says “thou hast thy father much offended”? How does
Hamlet respond?
Why does Hamlet kill Polonius?
Why does the ghost of Old Hamlet appear as his son is berating Gertrude?
What does Hamlet ask his mother to do?
ACT IV
Scene One
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What does Gertrude report to Claudius?
What does Claudius ask of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Scene Two
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What does Hamlet call Rosencrantz? Is this a fitting description?
Scene Three
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What do Claudius’ letters demand of England?
Scene Four
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Why is Fortinbras in Denmark?
Why does Hamlet admire Fortinbras?
Scene Five
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What has happened to Ophelia?
How is Ophelia’s condition different from Hamlet’s?
Who has unexpected returned from France?
Why do the people call for Laertes to be king?
How are Laertes and Hamlet similar?
Scene Six
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What do the sailors bring for Horatio?
What has become of Hamlet?
Scene Seven
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What does Claudius reveal to Laertes?
What excuses does Claudius give for not punishing Hamlet?
What surprising letter does Claudius receive?
Of what skill is Laertes a master?
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What trickery will Laertes use to seal Hamlet’s fate?
What back-up plan does Claudius concoct?
What does Gertrude report concerning Ophelia?
ACT V
Scene One
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What do the gravedigger and the “other” argue over concerning the dead gentlewoman?
To whom did the skull belong?
Whose funeral procession do Hamlet and Horatio interrupt?
What is Laertes’ reaction to Hamlet’s presence?
What does Hamlet claim to “do” better than Laertes?
Scene Two
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What order did Hamlet find among the paper on the ship bound for England?
Who received Hamlet’s fate in England?
What challenge does Osric bring Hamlet?
How does Hamlet excuse his behavior to Laertes?
Why does Laertes switch foils?
Who drinks from the poisoned cup?
What does Laertes reveal to Hamlet in his dying words?
How does Hamlet kill Claudius?
What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do for him?
Who arrives after marching from Poland?
Why type of burial does Fortinbras arrange for Hamlet?