Act 1 Scene 1

Question 1

‘Who’s there?’
- Barnado

Answer 1

Opening words of play introduce themes of ambiguity, fear, scepticism, distrust in country, perhaps caused by death of OH.
- Absence of prologue or Chorus introduces us straight into the action of play using in-media-res - engages audience both fearful and fascinated by magic and supernatural.

Question 2

Aside from ‘Who’s there?’. What else in the opening shows unease?

Answer 2

Opening of the play is at midnight, during the changing of the guard, shows a point of transition and unease.

Question 3

Francisco describes himself to be ‘sick at heart’, suggesting…

Answer 3

A clear sense of grief amongst the kingdom, depicts Denmark as fearful and in mourning of their respected ruler.

Question 4

‘Thou art as a scholar speak to it, Horatio’

Answer 4

Horatio acts as a choric character, providing the audience with evidence the ghost exists as he possesses a sceptical belief/reasoned and sensible thinker. Also provides exposition.

Question 5

‘this bodes some strange eruption to our state’
- Horatio

Answer 5

• metaphor
• sense of foreshadowing
• ominous nature of ghost, supernatural believed to be an omen for death, signalling the ghost may bring disruption and chaos to order.

Question 6

What 3 quotes can be used about the ghost?

Answer 6

‘fair and warlike form’
‘It harrows me with fear and wonder’
‘like a guilty thing upon a fearful summons’

Question 7

‘It harrows me with fear and wonder’

Answer 7

Theme of duplicity/ambiguity between what may be a demon or OH. Unsure of response, deeply apprehensive of ghost, but also curious and intrigued by supernatural.

Question 8

What context might link to ‘harrows me with fear and wonder’ ?

Answer 8

Attitudes towards supernatural. Witchcraft Act 1574 showed the fear towards supernatural, but the fact that people witnessed their hanging shows it was a thing of speculation/entertainment.

Question 9

‘fair and warlike form’

Answer 9

• Juxtaposition conveys ambiguity of ghost between whether it is a benevolent force or a source of danger/destruction.
• ‘warlike’ typical for a medieval king (OH), possessing power, strength and aggression.

Question 10

‘like a guilty thing upon a fearful summons’

Answer 10

• simile, theme of ambiguity again. Considering the DRoK, and God appointing the King, it makes limited sense for OH to be in Hell, suggesting might be an omen.

Question 11

The Ghost is potentially a…

Answer 11

The Ghost is potentially a catalyst for the play - an omen for death and chaos.

Question 12

Which critics might be suitable for the opening scene?

Answer 12

• Aristotle
  -T.S. Eliot

Question 13

Who else is introduced in the opening scene?

Answer 13

Young Fortinbras

Question 14

‘young Fortinbras of unimproved mettle hot and full’

Answer 14

YF is a medieval, dramatic foil to Hamlet - each seeking revenge for their father’s. YF is untested, inexperienced, whilst also being rash and aggressive.

Question 15

‘The very armour he had on when he the ambitious Norway combated’

Answer 15

Connects ghost and OH through use of costume (drama). Defines OH as a honourable warrior, sets tension throughout play and contrasts Hamlet as a Renaissance thinker.

Question 16

‘a spirit of health or a..’

Answer 16

‘a spirit of health or a goblin damn’d’
(similar A02 to fair and warlike)

Question 17

What 3 points might you use for how Shakespeare uses the ghost?

Answer 17

1. creates uncertainty to reflect public’s fascination with the supernatural/for dramatic intrigue
2. explore the concept of filial duty to explore tension between Medieval action and Renaissance thought.
3. uses the ghost to question nature of Hamlet’s madness, whether antic disposition or genuine insanity.

Question 18

Relevant A03 for ghost?

Answer 18

• Daemonologie
• Black Magic and Supernatural