Hamlet Act I

Question 1

Who sees the ghost first in Act 1?

Answer 1

The guards (Francisco, Bernardo, and Marcellus) and Horatio.The guards (Francisco, Bernardo, and Marcellus) and Horatio.

Question 2

What does the ghost look like?

Answer 2

It resembles the late King Hamlet, wearing armor.

Question 3

What does the ghost’s appearance symbolize?

Answer 3

Corruption and unrest in Denmark.

Question 4

Why does Horatio decide to tell Hamlet about the ghost?

Answer 4

Because the ghost looks like his father and may have important information.

Question 5

What major announcement does Claudius make in his first speech?

Answer 5

He has married Gertrude and is handling a potential conflict with Norway.

Question 6

How does Claudius try to justify his marriage to Gertrude?

Answer 6

He says mourning must end, and life must continue.

Question 7

Why is Hamlet upset with Gertrude?

Answer 7

She married Claudius too soon after King Hamlet’s death.

Question 8

What does Hamlet’s first soliloquy reveal about his mental state?

Answer 8

He is depressed, contemplating suicide, and disgusted by the world.

Question 9

What advice does Laertes give Ophelia?

Answer 9

Not to take Hamlet’s love seriously because he has royal responsibilities.

Question 10

What does Polonius tell Ophelia about Hamlet?

Answer 10

He orders her to stop seeing Hamlet because he doesn’t truly love her.

Question 11

How does Hamlet react to seeing the ghost?

Answer 11

He is eager to follow it, despite Horatio’s warning

Question 12

What does the ghost reveal to Hamlet?

Answer 12

That Claudius murdered King Hamlet by pouring poison in his ear.

Question 13

What does the ghost ask Hamlet to do?

Answer 13

Avenge his murder but leave Gertrude alone.

Question 14

What plan does Hamlet make after hearing the ghost?

Answer 14

He will pretend to be mad to uncover the truth.

Question 15

What does Hamlet make Horatio and Marcellus swear?

Answer 15

To keep the ghost’s appearance a secret.

Question 16

What theme does Hamlet’s first soliloquy introduce?

Answer 16

Existential despair, corruption, and the frailty of life.

Question 17

What theme does the ghost’s command introduce?

Answer 17

Revenge and justice.

Question 18

How does Act 1 establish the theme of appearance vs. reality?

Answer 18

Claudius appears to be a just ruler, but he is actually a murderer.

Question 19

How does Ophelia’s obedience to her father reflect gender roles?

Answer 19

Women were expected to be submissive and follow male authority.

Question 20

What does Hamlet’s decision to act mad suggest about his intelligence?

Answer 20

He is strategic and manipulative, using deception to uncover the truth.

Question 21

Who says, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” and what does it mean?

Answer 21

Marcellus; it means corruption is present in the kingdom.

Question 22

What does Hamlet mean by “Frailty, thy name is woman!”?

Answer 22

He criticizes Gertrude, implying women are weak and easily swayed.

Question 23

What does Polonius mean by “To thine own self be true”?

Answer 23

He advises Laertes to act with integrity, though he himself is hypocritical.

Question 24

Why is “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” important?

Answer 24

The ghost tells Hamlet to avenge his death, driving the play’s plot.

Question 25

How does Hamlet’s "O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt" soliloquy show his mindset?

Answer 25

He expresses suicidal thoughts and disillusionment with life.

Question 26

What political conflict does Claudius address in Act 1?

Answer 26

Young Fortinbras of Norway threatens Denmark.

Question 27

Why do Horatio and Marcellus hesitate to let Hamlet follow the ghost?

Answer 27

They fear it may be a demon leading him to harm.

Question 28

What does the ghost warn Hamlet NOT to do?

Answer 28

Harm Gertrude or seek revenge on her.

Question 29

How does Hamlet’s behavior change after meeting the ghost?

Answer 29

He begins acting mad, setting up his strategy for revenge.

Question 30

Who is Hamlet?

Answer 30

The Prince of Denmark, protagonist of the play. He seeks revenge for his father’s murder.

Question 31

Who is Claudius?

Answer 31

Hamlet’s uncle and the new King of Denmark. He secretly murdered King Hamlet.

Question 32

Who is Gertrude?

Answer 32

Hamlet’s mother and Queen of Denmark. She quickly remarried Claudius after King Hamlet’s death.

Question 33

Who is the Ghost?

Answer 33

The spirit of King Hamlet, who reveals that Claudius murdered him.

Question 34

Who is Horatio?

Answer 34

Hamlet’s loyal friend and confidant. He remains rational and helps Hamlet throughout the play.

Question 35

Who is Ophelia?

Answer 35

Daughter of Polonius and Hamlet’s love interest. She is caught between her loyalty to her family and Hamlet.

Question 36

Who is Laertes?

Answer 36

Ophelia’s brother. He warns her about Hamlet and later seeks revenge against him.

Question 37

Who is Polonius?

Answer 37

The Lord Chamberlain of Denmark and father to Ophelia and Laertes. He is manipulative and meddles in court affairs.

Question 38

Who is Fortinbras?

Answer 38

The Prince of Norway. His father was killed by King Hamlet, and he seeks to reclaim lost land.

Question 39

Who are Bernardo, Francisco, and Marcellus?

Answer 39

Danish guards who first see the ghost. Marcellus delivers the famous line, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

Question 40

Who says, "O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt", and what does it mean?

Answer 40

Hamlet; he is expressing suicidal thoughts, feeling trapped by grief and disgust over his mother’s remarriage.

Question 41

What does Hamlet mean by "Frailty, thy name is woman!"?

Answer 41

He believes Gertrude’s quick remarriage shows women are weak and fickle.

Question 42

What does Hamlet mean by "That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain"?

Answer 42

He realizes that appearances can be deceiving—Claudius acts kind but is a murderer.

Question 43

What is the significance of Hamlet saying "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy"?

Answer 43

Hamlet tells Horatio that the supernatural (the ghost) is real, beyond what reason can explain.

Question 44

What does Hamlet mean by "The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!"?

Answer 44

He laments that fate has given him the burden of avenging his father’s death.

Question 45

Who says, "With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage", and what does it mean?

Answer 45

Claudius; he tries to justify his quick marriage, blending mourning and celebration.

Question 46

What does Claudius mean by "Tis unmanly grief"?

Answer 46

What does Claudius mean by "Tis unmanly grief"?

Question 47

Who says, "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder", and what does it mean?

Answer 47

The Ghost; he commands Hamlet to avenge his death, revealing that Claudius killed him.

Question 48

What does the Ghost mean by "The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown"?

Answer 48

Claudius, like a snake (a biblical reference to treachery), murdered King Hamlet and took the throne.

Question 49

What does "To thine own self be true" mean, and who says it?

Answer 49

Polonius; he advises Laertes to stay true to himself, though he himself is manipulative.

Question 50

What does Polonius mean by "Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice"?

Answer 50

He advises Laertes to listen more than he speaks, promoting wisdom.

Question 51

What does "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" mean, and who says it?

Answer 51

Marcellus; he suggests that corruption is spreading in Denmark, referring to Claudius’ rule.

Question 52

What is Hamlet’s main internal conflict in Act 1?

Answer 52

He struggles with grief, his mother’s betrayal, and whether to obey the ghost’s command for revenge.

Question 53

How does Claudius try to manipulate Hamlet?

Answer 53

He tells Hamlet to stop mourning and insults his masculinity to make him comply.

Question 54

What is the significance of the ghost appearing at night?

Answer 54

It creates an eerie, supernatural mood and suggests something unnatural has happened.

Question 55

How does Polonius’ treatment of Ophelia foreshadow later events?

Answer 55

He controls her, making her emotionally vulnerable, which later leads to her downfall.