Larson • Eng 109

DRAMA FORM A: Acts I & II

(30points)

Part 1: On your own paper, describe the personality and involvement of these characters in
Act I. (2 points each)
1. Bernardo and Marcello (collectively)
The guards
2. Horatio
a. Hamlet’s friend.
3. Hamlet (the younger)
The Prince of Denmark soon to take over is claimed to have gone mad.
4. The Ghost
Hamlets’ Dad tells Hamlet to avenge his death. He was poisoned.
5. King Claudius
Hamlets Uncle. In love with Gertrude. Is supposedly the one that killed “The Ghost”.
6. Queen Gertrude
Hamlet’s mother. Believes that Hamlet is going crazy because of his fathers death.
7. Polonius
Ophelias Father. He claims that Hamlet has gone mad because Ophelia broke it off
with him.
8. Laertes
Ophileas brother. Polonius’s son.
9. Ophelia
Polonius daughter. Lover of Hamlet until she says they cannot be together because
he is a Prince.

Part 2: Complete the following on your own paper.

1. Locate a soliloquy. Indicate who is speaking, what is the topic of the soliloquy, and what
tone does the speaker use. (4 points)
 Larson • Eng 109

Act 1: Scene 2 Lines 333-363. Hamlet is talking about killing himself because he is
depressed about his father’s death. He is also talking about how he is upset that his mother
has moved on so quickly.
2. Locate a monologue with other characters present. Indicate who is speaking, what is the
topic of their long speech, and what tone does the speaker use. (4 points)
Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 5-10. The monologue is by Laertes with Ophelia present. He is talking
about how what Ophelia feels for Hamlet is nothing more than a little crush
3. Locate an aside. Indicate who is speaking, what is the topic of the aside, and what does
the audience (reader) learn about this character’s thoughts in the aside. (4 points)
Act 1: Scene 2 Line 65. Hamlet says “A little more than kin, and a little less kind.”
I believe that this is to tell the audience that he does not agree with Gertrude and Claudius
having relations.