If one of your respected friends tells you that she saw a ghost last night, you probably would want to hear the story, including all the relevant details so you can assess how believable it is.
Describe in a properly constructed paragraph how Shakespeare introduces the ghost as a character in the play when it first appears and what the ‘real’ characters are doing at the time.
This is not just a plot summary. You need to state clearly in your own words what each character is saying about the ghost, and how the next character responds.
Avoid quoting long phrases for this activity.
From your limited knowledge of what the play is about so far, describe in point form the similarity between Hamlet’s and young Fortinbras’ circumstances. You should be able to come up with about 6 points – you will get one mark for each point up to 6 marks.
Read Hamlet – Act One, Scene 4, lines 1–38 .
Read Hamlet’s explanation for the racket the guards are hearing in lines 8–38 and answer the following questions.
Why does Hamlet wish the custom of wassail (‘be healthy’ in Old English) were not observed?
Question 1 options:
This custom leads people of other nations to think the Danes are fun-loving but not very intelligent. This might encourage them to think they can easily invade Denmark.
This custom leads people of other nations to think the Danes are a bunch of drunkards, overlooking their good qualities and their achievements.
This custom leads the common people to feel jealousy and resentment toward the royals of Denmark.
This custom leads people to suspect that Hamlet is either indecisive or mad.
This custom leads the common people of Denmark to think that all royals are drunkards who are wasting the taxpayers’ money.
This custom leads people of other nations to think the Danes are arrogant and impulsive.
What does this reveal about him?
Hamlet’s analysis of the effect of Danish health-care reform reveals his interest in becoming king someday.
Hamlet’s analysis of the effect of Danish customs on other nationalities reveals his social and political consciousness.
Hamlet’s analysis of Danish customs shows that he has a scholar’s wit and a courtier’s tongue.
Hamlet’s analysis of the effect of Danish customs is part of his false madness. He doesn’t want people to suspect he is really planning on killing Claudius.
Hamlet reveals that he can’t make up his mind about whether or not he wants to seek revenge against Claudius
How does Hamlet judge those who have some “vicious mole” or defect, such as drunkenness?
Hamlet thinks people who have moles can be good people but they should avoid getting too much sun.
Hamlet thinks nature or genetics makes it difficult for some people to act in a reasonable or respectable manner.
Hamlet thinks that Danes are still the best people in Europe, even if they tend to drink too much sometimes.
Hamlet thinks that drunkenness is OK in moderation.
Hamlet thinks that rodents have taken over the castle but people like like Claudius haven’t noticed because they are drunk most of the time.
Hamlet thinks that each individual has the capacity to enact positive change in his or her life, so one shouldn’t blame nature or genetics for one’s defects.
What does this reveal about his character?
Hamlet reveals his secret jealousy of Claudius because his uncle has won the affection of Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother.
Hamlet insists that rehab is the best solution but feels it probably wouldn’t work for Claudius.
Hamlet reveals that he is not sure if he should seek revenge against Claudius or just get drunk like everyone else.
Hamlet is indecisive and afraid of making mistakes himself.
Hamlet is tolerant of the faults of others and is not quick to condemn them for struggling unsuccessfully against their flaws.
Hamlet is intolerant of the faults of others and is quick to condemn them for their flaws.
What is a tragic flaw?
It is a defect of character that everyone can see except for the person who has it.
It is a play where the flaws of humanity are put on display so we can learn how to avoid them ourselves.
It is a flaw in the play that is put there on purpose to show that only God is perfect.
It is a kind of play where the main character dies at the end.
It is a hidden character defect that is only revealed at the end of a tragedy.
It is when an otherwise outstanding individual has a flaw that causes a downfall.
Answer the following questions based on your rereading Hamlet, Act One, Scenes 4 and 5.
Hamlet speaks immediately upon “seeing” the ghost. Describe the main point of his address, lines 39–57.
Question 6 options:
At first he thinks the thing could be bringing good or evil, but when he identifies the ghost as that of his dead father, he promises to avenge his murder.
At first he thinks the thing could be bringing disease into the castle, but when he identifies the ghost as that of his dead father, he tells him to return to his grave to rest in peace.
At first he thinks the thing could be his dead grandfather, but when he identifies the ghost as that of his father, he asks who killed him.
At first he thinks the thing could be a hoax, but when he identifies the ghost as that of his dead father, he asks how he died.
At first he thinks the thing could be bringing either good or evil, but when he identifies the ghost as that of his dead father, he asks why it appeared and what it wants from him.
When Hamlet follows the ghost into the darkness, Horatio, even though he has seen the ghost, says “He waxes desperate with imagination,” and Marcellus states that “something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” What are these two characters feeling at this point in the play?
Question 7 options:
They are scared of the ghost but even more frightened by the look on Hamlet’s face.
They wonder about the health and stability of Hamlet’s state of mind and the state of Denmark too.
They are scared because the appearance of the ghost is a sign that Denmark will be invaded by Fortinbras.
They feel a cold chill in the air that makes their skin waxy so they look like they are dead.
They wonder about the health of King Hamlet and the stability of the state of Denmark.
They are in awe because the ghost actually spoke to Hamlet even though its body is starting to decompose.
What does Hamlet reveal when he says, “O my prophetic soul!”
Question 8 options:
Hamlet reveals that, unlike Marcellus and Bernardo, he isn’t afraid of the ghost.
Hamlet reveals that he knows the ghost isn’t real but is willing to go along with the scene to find out more information.
Hamlet reveals that he too is already dead because only he can speak with the ghost.
Hamlet foreshadows his own death (that he too will be a ghost).
Hamlet had already suspected that Claudius murdered his father and seduced his mother.
Hamlet displays his supernatural powers but he knows it is not enough to save himself.
