Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Act 1: Group Work In-class Assignment
Group #1
Act 1, scene 1
A portent is a sign of something that is about to happen.
o What portents appear in this scene? What does Horatio think these signs mean (refer specifically to the text)?
o Do you believe in portents today? Can you think of any books, movies or tv shows in which evil omens appear? How do the characters in these stories respond to the omens?
o Why do you think some people believe in portents? Why do you think some people disbelieve?
Each of your responses must be fully explained and include at least one direct quotation.
Group #2
Act 1, scene 2
Analyse Hamlet’s description of his mother’s marriage to Claudius. Consider the following:
o What’s Hamlet’s idea of a perfect marriage? What roles would the husband and wife play? What’s your definition of an ideal marriage? What roles should husband and wife play?
o Do you think Hamlet’s view of marriage is realistic? Is your definition realistic? Explain your responses.
o Is Hamlet’s reaction to his mother’s remarriage fair? Why or why not?
o What do Hamlet’s comments about his father, Gertrude and Claudius reveal about his personality?
Each of your responses must be fully explained and include at least one direct quotation.
Group #3
Act 1, scene 3
o What first impressions do you form of Polonius, Laertes and Ophelia as major supporting characters in the play?
o How do Polonius and Laertes treat Ophelia, and how does she respond?
o What does this reveal about their familial relationships? About society during Shakespeare’s time?
Each of your responses must be fully explained and include at least one direct quotation.
Group #4
Act 1, scene 4
Analyse what you think Hamlet is saying about human nature (lines 13-38).
o Summarize Hamlet’s ideas.
o Think of two or more individuals, past or present, whose lives illustrate Hamlet’s theory. In each case, describe the person’s character flaw and explain how if affected the course of his or her life.
o Comment on whether or not an individual is responsible for his or her weaknesses.
Each of your responses must be fully explained and include at least one direct quotation.
Group #5
Act 1, scene 5
Summarize what the Ghost says about Gertrude (lines 45-58).
o What instructions does the Ghost give Hamlet about Gertrude (lines 82-88)?
o Why might the Ghost be concerned about Hamlet’s reaction to Gertrude?
o If you were the Ghost, what suggestions would you make to Hamlet about the way he should treat his mother?
Each of your responses must be fully explained and include at least one direct quotation.
Group #6
Act 1, scene 5
Compare Hamlet’s first response to the Ghost’s call for revenge (lines 29-31) with his statement at the end of the scene (lines 190-191).
o How do you account for the differences between these two responses? Be specific in your explanation.
o Can you predict how this may or may not influence Hamlet’s future actions/behaviour?
Each of your responses must be fully explained and include at least one direct quotation.
Group #7
Act 1
In this act, we have seen Hamlet in a number of different situations.
o What qualities does he reveal to each of the following people: his mother, his stepfather, his friend Horatio and the Ghost?
o How, by what they say, do each of these people feel about Hamlet?
Each of your responses must be fully explained and include at least one direct quotation.
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