Name_____________                                                                                      English 11

Mrs. Moorman/ Mrs. Murray                                                                            Period____

 

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 2

 

Summary – What happens in this scene?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characters –   Who are they?  What is their role in the scene?

 

King Claudius:

 

 

 

 

Queen Gertrude:

 

 

 

 

 

Polonius:

 

 

 

 

Laertes:

 

 

 

Hamlet:

 

 

 

Voltemand:

 

 

 

 

Cornelius:

 

 

 

 

Barnardo:

 

 

 

 

Marcellus:

 

 

 

 

Horatio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Lines – Interpret each quote in your own words and then explain why it is important.

 

1) Claudius

“Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,–
With an auspicious and a dropping eye,
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage,
In equal scale weighing delight and dole,–” 1.2.10-13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Hamlet

             “A little more than kin, and less than kind!” 1.2.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) Hamlet

                                “These might indeed seem,

              For they are actions that a man might play,

              But I have that within that passes show;

               These are but the trappings and the suits of woe.” 1.2.83-86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further Questions-

 

 

1)      What does the King decide to do about the situation with Young Fortinbras?

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)      What two things do the King and Queen want from Hamlet?  Do their arguments rely on an emotional or rational approach to convince Hamlet?

 

 

 

 

 

 

3)      What is the King’s attitude toward Hamlet?  What are some of the words he uses when he addresses Hamlet?

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)      What is Hamlet’s attitude toward the King?  What is his attitude toward the Queen?  Does he feel the same about them?  Does he feel differently toward each of them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)      Why is Hamlet so upset?

 

 

 

 

 

 

6)      How does Hamlet react when Horatio tells him about the ghost?  Is this reaction rational or emotional and why?  Use details from the scene to explain your answer.