Hamlet – Act I, scene i

Setting: Elsinore Castle, Denmark

Characters:

  • Francisco, Barnardo & Marcellus – Castle Guards
  • Horatio – Hamlet’s Close Friend
  • Ghost – The late King Hamlet
  • Fortinbras (no part, but alluded to) – young prince, and newly named ruler/king of Norway, is thought to have desire to invade Denmark to claim lost land

Plot:

  • What is the Ghosts purpose?
  • What is the mood that has been created from Act I, scene i? (Think ghost and the introduction of Fortinbras.)
  • Why is Fortinbras a threat?
  • What reasons are given that the ghost might be the late King Hamlet? (Armor, looks, and impending threat of Fortinbras)

Act I, scene ii

Characters:

  • King Claudius – New King of Denmark, brother of the late King Hamlet
  • Polonius – Advisor to King Claudius
  • Laertes – Polonius’ son, about Hamlet’s age – attends college in France
  • Ophelia – Polonius’ daughter, Hamlet’s love interest

Plot:

  • Claudius’ speech on pages 21-23 – What issues are discussed?
  • Explain Claudius’ interaction and treatment of Hamlet (page 27)
  • What crucial facts do we learn from Hamlets’ soliloquy (page 29)
  • Discuss Hamlet’s characterization at this point:
  • Thoughts
  • Intended actions
  • Other’s opinions of him

Act I, scene iii

Pre-Write Journal:

“To thine own self be true”… ~Polonius (84)

  • Interpret in your own words…
  • Explain why this is an important lesson to learn, and how you have applied this thought to your own life. Discuss a specific example from your personal life, and describe how this lesson has made you into the person you are today.
  • Text connection: How or why would this be a good quote for Hamlet to reflect on? Explain your thoughts.

Characters:

  • Ophelia: Hamlet’s love interest, Polonius’ daughter

Plot Questions:

  • What advice does Laertes give Ophelia regarding Hamlet? Explain his reasons…
  • What order does Polonius give Ophelia? Explain his rationale…
  • Explain Hamlet’s state of mind at this present point of the play, and discuss how Polonius’ orders to Ophelia will affect him.
  • In Polonius’ speech to his son, list FOUR things that he instructs him to do…

Act I, scene v:

Characters:

  • Hamlet
  • Ghost
  • Horatio
  • Marcellus

Plot:

  • What information is revealed about the crime?
  • What terrible responsibility does the ghost lay on Hamlet?
  • What is Hamlet’s immediate response, and what does this say about his characterization?
  • Explain what you believe Hamlet’s dilemma is at the end of Act I.
  • What conflicts do you see set up in the play (yes, there are more than one)? How will they play in the big picture of the play?