Hamlet Part A Flashcards
what happens in Act 1 Scene 1? Ghost Watch
Guards (and Horatio) see the Ghost of King Hamlet.
The Ghost appears
‘This bodes some strange eruption to our state’
what happens in Act Scene 2? Claudius Takes the Throne
Claudius explains his marriage to Gertude.
Tells Hamlet to stay in the Country
‘A little more than kin, and less than kind’
what happens in Act 1 Scene 3? Laertes Leaves, Polonius Lectures
Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet
Polonius gives advice
‘To thine own self be true’.
what happens in Act 1 Scene 4? The Ghosts Calls Hamlet
Hamlet waits with Horatio and Marcellus for the ghost to appear.
When it does appear, Hamlet runs after it, and the others follow.
‘something is rotten in the state of Denmark’
what happens in Act 1 Scene 5? Revenge is Ordered
The ghost of Hamlet’s father says that Claudius murdered him with poison, and that he wants Hamlet to kill Claudius, but spare Gertrude.
Hamlet vows revenge but decides to act mad
what happens in Act 2 Scene 1? Spying Begins
Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes, and Ophelia tells her father that Hamlet is acting mad.
‘Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t’
what happens in Act 2 Scene 2?
Claudius and Gertrude sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on H.
A troupe of actors arrive.
Hamlet plans to use the troupe to test Claudius.
‘The play’s the thing/Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King’
what happens in Act 3 Scene 1? To Be or Not to Be
Hamlet as he debates suicide with himself.
Claudius and Polonius spy on him with Ophelia
‘Get to thee to a nunnery’
what happens in Act 3 Scene 2?
The Mousetrap
Hamlet directs the play to reveal Claudius’ guilt.
Claudius storms out
‘Give me some light: away’
what happens in Act 3 Scene 3?
Claudius Prays, Hamlet Hesitates
Claudius tries to pray.
Hamlet sees him but doesn’t kill him.
‘Now might I do it pat…and so he goes to heaven’
what happens in Act 3 Scene 4? Polonius Dies
Hamlet kills Polonius by accident in Gertrude’s room.
‘Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell!’
what happens in Act 4 Scene 1? Cover Up Begins
Gertrude tells Claudius Hamlet killed Polonius
Claudius plans to send Hamlet to England
what happens in Act 4 Scene 2? Cat and Mouse
Hamlet mocks R and G, refusing to say where Polonius’ body is.
what happens in Act 4 Scene 3? Claudius’ Plot
Claudius questions Hamlet until Hamlet reveals the location of Polonius’s body.
Hamlet is sent to England to be killed
what happens in Act 4 Scene 4? Fortinbras Marches
Hamlet sees a captain from Fortinbras’ army and feels ashamed
‘How I stand, then that have a father kill’d, a mother stain’d’
what happens in Act 4 Scene 5? Ophelia
Ophelia is mad from grief, Laertes returns from France, furious. Claudius convinces Laertes to seek revenge on the right person.
what happens Act 4 Scene 6? Pirates
Hamlet writes to Horatio, pirates saved him.
Hamlet coming back
what happens in Act 4 Scene 7? Revenge Plans
Claudius and Laertes plan Hamlet’s death (poisoned sword + wine)
Ophelia drowns
what happens in Act 5 Scene 1? Graveyard Scene
Hamlet and the gravedigger talk about death.
Hamlet learns Ophelia is dead
He and Laertes fight at her grave
‘Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio’
what happens in Act 5 Scene 2?
Hamlet and Laertes duel. Laertes dies by his own poisoned sword. Gertrude dies after drinking the poisoned cup. Claudius dies by Hamlet’s sword and then poison. Hamlet dies by the poison from Laertes’s sword. Prince Fortinbras orders Hamlet to be buried with honor.
