Hamlet Act I Questions

Answer the following in complete sentences as thoroughly as possible. Use textual evidence on at least
10 of the 21 questions.

Scene I

1. Where does this play take place?

2. In line 69, how does Horatio interpret the appearance of the ghost?
3. What three questions does Marcellus raise?
4. In a long speech (lines 79-107), Horatio answers Marcellus. Summarize as briefly as you can the
events he is discussing.
5. In lines 130-139, what 3 reasons does Horatio list for the reason a ghost might return from the
dead?
6. Why do Horatio and Marcellus decide to tell Hamlet that the ghost failed to listen to them?

Scene II

7. What news does Claudius announce at the opening of scene 2?

8. Why does Claudius send Cornelius and Voltemand to Norway?
9. What comment do the Queen and Claudius make about Hamlet’s demeanor?
10. Explain why Hamlet says, “Frailty, thy name is woman!”
11. At the end of scene 2, what is Hamlet’s plan?

Scene III

12. Why does Laertes warn Ophelia not to place too much hope in Hamlet’s attention to her?
13. What advice does Ophelia give Laertes in return?
14. What are Polonius’ instructions to Ophelia about Hamlet?
15. In your opinion, how do the men in Ophelia’s life treat her? (Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes)

Scene IV

16. Why does Hamlet denounce the custom of drunken celebrations?

17. What happens at the end of scene 4?

Scene V

18. What does the ghost reveal about the manner of his death?
19. What does the ghost tell Hamlet about his mother?
20. In lines 82-89, what task does the Ghost tell Hamlet to understand?
21. In lines 172-173, what does Hamlet imply he may decide to do?