Act 1

Scene 1

 

           

4.”Whose there” said by Barnardo. I like this line because it sets the mood for the whole scene. It shows the tenseness that the lurking ghost is causing around the kingdom. Not only that but it’s the first line of the play. This single line sets a dark and dreary mood in just two words.

5. Horatio seems to be a very weary man. He needed to see the ghost before he believed it. He acted like the other guards had honestly lost their mind. Once he saw the ghost, though he acted as if he never doubted it. That’s kind of phony to me, but he just seems like a know-it-all.

6. The guard’s relationships with the ghost are a tense one. They fear the ghost and they question why the ghost looks like King Hamlet.

7.Ophelia – it hurts me to think that I am in love with hamlet and my family doesn’t want

 

me to be with him.  I love dear Hamlet.  Yet, I cannot risk the out come if he decides he

 

doesn’t want to marry me.

 

 

Scene 2

2. This scene shows what happened to the elder Hamlet, and what has gone on after his death. Without this scene we wouldn’t know the family situation of Hamlet.

3. Claudius- Why do expect Hamlet to get over his father’s death? Why did you move on so quickly and marry Gertrude.

Gertrude- Why did you move on so quick? Why are you torturing your son like that?

5. Claudius seems like an arrogant person to me. It’s pretty jacked up how he moved in on Gertrude so quickly after her husband’s death. He speaks as if he knows it all and has all power. He treats his fellow man like dirt. I don’t like Claudius.

6. Hamlet and Horatio have a friendship. Though Horatio is a servant to Hamlet, Hamlet calls him friend and speaks to him like a person. In return Horatio helps Hamlet by telling him about the ghost.

7.I think Hamlet is going through deep depression. His father is dead, his mother remarried to her former brother in law and now Hamlet wont be king. It seems there is nothing going for him right now.

 

Scene 3

1.      The scene starts off with Laertes saying good-bye to his sister Ophelia. He warns her that Hamlet’s love for her is not true. Their father, Polonius, enter and Laertes leaves. The scene ends with Polonius warning Ophelia about Hamlet as well.

2.      This scene is significant because it shows how Laertes and Polonius feel about Hamlets love for Ophelia; where Ophelia seems to feel the opposite.

3.      Laertes and Polonius- “What’s the problem with Hamlet?”

“Why not let Ophelia live her life the way she wants?”

     Ophelia- “ How much do you really love Hamlet?”

5.Laertes is like an overprotective older brother. He needs to back off and let Ophelia live her own life. He doesn’t have any right to butt in on her life. He’s like a jerk that’s running away from his problems by going to France.

6. Ophelia’s relations with Polonius and Laertes seem to be a family love thing. She treats them with respect and love even though they are way overprotecting her.

 

Scene 4

1.Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus go to see the ghost. The ghost appears and appears to want Hamlet to follow him. Hamlet follows but only after an argument with Horatio and Hamlet.

2. This scene shows that the ghost does care about Hamlet, which shows it is probably his father’s ghost.

3. Hamlet- “Why do you trust the ghost so much?”

   Guards-“Why not just let Hamlet go with the ghost if that’s what he wants?”

4.“ Heaven will direct it” – Horatio.  This says that God will take care of whatever is

 

going to happen to Denmark.  Which basically means that there is nothing they can do

 

about it and they have to leave it up to God to handle.

 

 

5.      I don’t understand why the guards were so against Hamlet following the ghost. Hamlet said he didn’t value his life anyway, and who knows, the ghost could be helpful.

6.      The relationship between the ghost and Hamlet is although new, heartfelt. The ghost looks like Hamlet Sr. and wants Jr. to follow him. Hamlet Jr. feels emotions like he did for his father

Scene 5

1.      The scene starts with the ghost and Hamlet speaking. The ghost reveals to Hamlet that Hamlet’s uncle killed his father, and that he is the ghost of his father. The ghost then leaves, and the guards enter. They then have to swear that they wont speak of any of the happenings involving the ghost.

2.    This scene is important because we find out that Claudius kills Hamlet Sr. and that Hamlet needs to seek revenge on Claudius. 

3.         Is Hamlet Jr. really planning to seek the revenge his father asked him to?

 

4.      Ghost- “Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast . . . Remember Me” (42-91). I like this quote because it reveals a lot about Hamlet Sr. and Claudius. How dirty Claudius is and how Hamlet Sr. sinned. This also explains how Claudius killed Hamlet.

5.      I find it interesting how quickly Hamlet’s calm persona turns into one filled of rage. He becomes pushy and violent. This is a new side of Hamlet that we have not seen yet.

 

 

 Act 2

Scene 1

 

  1. #1 Polonius wants Reynaldo to go and find out information about Leartes, and to see what people think about him. He wants to find out as much information about him as possible. Later in the scene Hamlet comes to visit Ophelia, this is when people start to believe he is going crazy. Polonius believes he has lovesickness.
  2. #7 I don’t know if I will be able to find out enough information about Leartes. What happens if I mess up? I hope I don’t say the wrong thing and get my self into trouble.
  3. #5 I think that Polonius is afraid of Hamlet and is scared of the consequences of killing Hamlet Senior. I don’t think that Polonius wants Hamlet anywhere around him. He is a frightened old man.

 

Act 2

 

  1. #1 Claudius gets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to go and spy on their best friend Hamlet. He wants them to find out the real reason why Hamlet is going insane. He thnks he has a big case of lovesickness. Hamlet writes a poem to Ophelia trying to express his love to her. Then Hamlet walks into the room and Polonius and Hamlet talk, but Hamlet is talking sarcastically like always. This also makes Polonius think that he is going mad. Also in this scene the ambassador comes from Norway to report on Fortinbras.

 

  1. #3 Hamlet – Do you still want to be friends with Guildenstern and Rosencrantz? Do you really have love sickness for Ophelia? Are you truly going insane? Guildenstern and Rosencrantz – How can you do that to you very own friend?

 

  1. #6 I don’t thin Hamlets relationship between his old friends Rosencrantz and guildenstern is going to well. I think Hamlet is mad at the fact that they are trying to get information about him and report it back to thw king.

 

 

 

 

Act 3

Scene 1

1.The scene starts off with Gertrude and Claudius speaking with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about Hamlet. Then Polonius enters and sets up Ophelia to meet with Hamlet. Hamlet then enters with his infamous “to be or not to be…” speech. Ophelia enters and her and Hamlet argue. The scene ends with Claudius suggesting sending Hamlet to England to cure his in sanity.

2.This scene is significant because it shows Hamlet really starting to crack and become insane.

3.Ophelia- “Why are you ‘dumping’ Hamlet?”

   Hamlet- “Why are you contemplating death so heavily?”

   Claudius- “Why so quick to get rid of Hamlet?”

4. “To be or not to be… Be all my sins remembered.”(56-91). I liked this quote because it’s really full of thought and it makes you think about and feel Hamlet’s pain.

6. We saw Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship turn into and feuding and unpleasant one. Formally lovers, now Ophelia has dumped Hamlet

7. Ophelia- Why has Hamlet changed his heart for me?  Is he truly that insane?  He

 

showed love for me earlier this week.   He was so deeply in love.  Oh Hamlet how you

 

confuse me.  You seem to be so deeply in love, so in love that nothing else matters then

 

you are gone and want nothing with me.

 

 

 

 

Scene 2

1.The scene starts with the play. Horatio enters and Hamlets asks him to study Claudius’s reactions to the play. The play then depicts the king being killed by his nephew and Claudius get “bent-out-of-shape.”  The play ends and Gertrude sends for Hamlet.

2. This scene is important because it alludes that there may be death in Claudius’s future, and Hamlet may be the one to kill him.

3.Horatio- “How do you think Claudius felt after he watched the play?”

   Hamlet- “Why do allude to Claudius’s death in such a blunt way?”

   Claudius- “Do you think Hamlet know that you killed his dad?”

  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- “whose side are you on?”

5.I’m starting to think that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern aren’t really good friend to Hamlet. They seem to be conniving and plotting against him. It’s almost as if there on Claudius’s side. That’s not being very supportive of your friend, I don’t like it and it’s very sneaky.

6. Hamlet and Horatio – Hamlet has a lot of trust in Horatio. He tells him to watch Claudius during the play to see if he gets uncomfortable.  Hamlet trusts Horatio enough to tell him to do this and by telling him to do this he is letting him know that he suspects something from his uncle. And maybe that he (Hamlet) is planning something.

7. I if were playing Hamlet in the scene I would take it as me getting back at Claudius. When the scene in the play acts out I would portray is as a wake up call to Claudius and almost play Hamlet as a cocky character during this scene.

Scene 3

1.This scene starts with Claudius asking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to escort Hamlet to England. Next Polonius enter and informs Claudius that he will be hiding and watching Hamlet confrontation with Gertrude. He then leaves and Claudius is left alone. He starts to pray when Hamlet enters ready to kill Claudius. Hamlet then decides not to because Claudius would not go to hell if he killed him while he was praying.

2.This scene is significant because it shows that Hamlet is actually going to kill Claudius and the Claudius is now in fear of being killed.

3. Claudius- “Do you really think that praying will forgive your sins?”

    Hamlet- “ Is killing Claudius really going to make all your problems go away?”

4. “Oh, my offence… All may be well.”(38-73), I enjoyed this quote because it shows that Claudius is in fear. He is begging for his forgiveness for killing his brother. This shows that even the most powerful people in the world can be weak at times.

5. I think Claudius is much weaker than how I originally saw him. I am starting to feel a bit more sympathy toward him, but he is still far from having my respect. What he did was bad but I think he realizes that now.

6. The relationship between Hamlet and Claudius is obviously not one built on love. Hamlet wants Claudius dead and Claudius wants Hamlet out of Denmark. Even though they are family; Hamlet hates, even loathes, Claudius and Claudius fears Hamlet.

Scene 4

1.The scene starts with Polonius hiding behind a curtain and Hamlet running in to speak with his mother. They begin to argue and Polonius screams for help from behind the curtain. Hamlet stabs the curtain killing Polonius. Hamlet then begs his mother to get rid of Claudius.

2.Scene is significant because we see that Hamlet wants his mother to get away form Claudius and Polonius is killed.

4.I enjoy the beginning argument between Hamlet and Gertrude, right before Polonius is stabbed. This argument is enjoyable because it’s almost funny. Hamlet is mocking his mother and it all ends up with hamlet killing Polonius. It’s a veru humorous argument that I enjoyed.

6.      When Polonius was killed I was shocked but it didn’t bother me. I was glad to see him gone. His character was very deceiving and I didn’t like him very much so it wasn’t very sad to see him go, in fact it was relieving for me.


Act 4

Scene 1

1.In this short scene Gertrude enters and tells Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius. Claudius then orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet.

2.This scene is significant because you really get to see hoe willing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are to stab Hamlet in the back.

3.Rosencrantz & Guildenstern: “Why are you so willing to stab Hamlet in the back?”

4.Gertrude’s line, “Mad as the sea and wind . . .The unseen good old man.”(7-12). I like the similes and metaphors Gertrude uses to describe Hamlet’s “madness.”

5.I don’t like Rosencrantz and Guildensterns actions in this scene. They really are brown-nosing Claudius and turning their back on Hamlet. This is no way to support a “friend.”

6.Claudius seems to have complete control over Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They act as Claudius’s personal servants. They do whatever it is that he wants.

7.If one were to play Claudius in theater, they would have to play a cold-hearted man that uses others to do his dirty work. I would play him as a larger than life, pompous man.

Scene 2

1.This short scene starts with Hamlet hiding the body of Polonius. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter asking him where the body is. Hamlet basically insults them then leaves to see Claudius.

2.This scene is significant because you see that Hamlet has finally seen that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are phony.

3.Hamet: “Why are you messing with Guildenstern and Rosencrantz?”

4. “That I can keep your counsel . . . son of a king?” (11-13). I like this quote because it shows Hamlet in disbelief of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s loyalty.

6. The friendship between Hamlet and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern is depleting. Hamlet finally sees that they are backstabbing and more loyal to his step-father than him.

7.If I were playing Hamlet in this scene I would show lots of pride in wiping out Polonius. I would show anger when dealing with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Scene 3

1.In this scene Claudius tries to get Hamlet to tell him where Polonius’s body is. Hamlet refuses and Claudius says he’s send Hamlet to England.

2.This scene is significant because you see Claudius finally send Hamlet to England.

4.The line where Hamlet calls Claudius his mother is very funny. This line stumps Claudius and really insults him. The way it was blurted out by hamlet was very humorous.

5.I find it entertaining to see how Hamlet is reacting to Claudius. His comebacks are very quick, clever, and funny. Hamlets character has become much more vibrant and has more character than before.

3.Why doesn’t Claudius take matters into his own hands and kill Hamlet himself?

 

7.Claudius- I am left with no choice but to send Hamlet away to be killed.  This is

 

because if I don’t I fear for my own life.

 

 

Scene 4

1.In this scene you see Fortinbras marching toward Denmark on his way to attack Poland. He sends a Captain to Denmark to ask permission to pass through. The captain crosses Hamlet (with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) on his way to England. Hamlet then becomes outraged with the reason for the battle and that he didn’t get his revenge on Claudius.

2.This scene is significant because you get to see Hamlet’s disappointment in not getting his revenge on Claudius. I think this could be alluding to him going back to Denmark to get this revenge.

3.Hamlet: “Why didn’t you get your revenge on Claudius”
                 “Why don’t you take out Guildenstern and Rosencrantz?”

5.I felt like Hamlets encounter with the captain may have an influence on what happens with Fortinbras and his battle with Poland.

Scene 5

1.This is scene starts with Horatio and Gertrude discussing Ophelia and her actions as of late. She enters and starts singing a weird song. Claudius enters and informs that Laertes has sailed in to Denmark. Laertes enters and accuses Claudius of killing Polonius; Claudius denies and pleads him to hear his side of the case.

2.Without this scene we would not see Ophelia’s madness. We would also not be able to see the sheer anger of Laertes toward Claudius for letting Polonius die.

6.Laertes seems to forget that Claudius was the one who let him go to France in the first place. He is very upset with Claudius and there seems to be friction in what they had. Though Laertes has agreed to hear out Claudius I think he is still angry with him, and will be just because Polonius was killed under Claudius’s province.

3. Is Ophelia truly crazy or is she pulling the same stunt as Hamlet?

 

5. I think that Ophelia is playing crazy.  By seeing Hamlet crazy it gives her the idea that

 

people will listen to her is she is crazy.  It may also be a way to get Hamlet back.  If they

 

both are insane then maybe Hamlet will love her again.

 

 

Scene 6

1.This scene starts with Horatio speaking with some sailors. They bring Horatio a letter from Hamlet. The letter explains that pirates have captured his ship and that he’s back in Denmark. Horatio then finds Hamlet on the countryside near the castle.

2. From this scene we know that Hamlet is back in Denmark.

3. Horatio: “What do you think Hamlet has to say? About Rosencrantz and                                                                                                     Guildenstern?”

 



 
Act 5


Scene 1

    #1  This scene is based on Ophelia's death. The whole scene is about the

gravediggers digging the grave. The gravedigger doesn't agree that her body is

being buried in a Christian burial because she took her own life. Hamlet and

Horatio spy on the diggers; more or less Hamlet is curious. He asks the

gravedigger who's grave that is, and the gravedigger refused to tell him. Hamlet and

Horatio stay for awhile trying to get answers. Eventually they have Ophelia's

funeral, which is a very sad time for Hamlet.

    #2  I think the significance in this scene was they way the gravedigger

didn't let Hamlet get to him. Hamlet feels he can talk to anyone however he

pleases and get answers from anybody. The gravedigger stood up for him and didn't

take Hamlets comments to heart. I think the play would be missing a very

important part if this scene weren't in it.

    #3  To the gravedigger- Why was it such a big deal to tell Hamlet who was

being buried there?  If it was such a big deal to have Ophelia buried in a

Christian burial why did they?

5. The fight between Hamlet and Laertes was expected. I could see it coming and I’m glad it happened. Laertes, to me, is very fake. Though I question Hamlet’s faith to Ophelia I think he cares more about her than Laertes.

6. Hamlet and Laertes obviously are enemies. There relationship has turned to hatred between each other. The fight between them proves that they don’t like each other and I have a feeling on is going to kill the other.
                                                                  Scene 2
    #1  In this scene everything goes on. There is so much action and
excitement in this scene, it made the book ten times better. Claudius asks Hamlet and
Laertes to fence. They end up going round and round when Gertrude drinks
something with poison in it that was originally for Hamlet to drink. She
collapses, and Hamlet gets a wound, which had poison on it. After she dies, he wounds
Claudius and forces the drink with poison in it down his throat. Then Claudius
dies. Hamlet starts collapsing and he dies. He gives the king of Denmark the
crown before he dies, and the bodies are carried away.
    #4  Hamlet- "Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damn`ed Dane, Drink off
this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother." To me Hamlet is so proud to
see his stepfather die. These words come so easy to him. 
    Laertes- "Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric. I am justly
killed with mine own treachery."  Right here he is total shock that he just got a
little taste of his own medicine. He couldn't believe that he just got killed
by the person he was supposed to kill.
    #5  Claudius seems really dumb in this scene. When he tells Gertrud
"Don't drink," wow, how obvious was that one. She should have gotten a clue or not
her someone else. It was weird how Laertes and Hamlet were so calm one minute
then "bang, totally different attitudes.   
 
2.This is the last scene of the play and is significant because we see everyone’s fate, and we find that Laertes doesn’t blame Hamlet after all.

6.In the end Hamlet and Laertes’s relationship was one based more one respect than hatred. It seemed like they sewed up the loose end of their relationship right before they died.

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