1. Hamlet

2. Act One Scene One Outside Elsinore—changing of guards
Bernardo tells of a ghost
Horatio (voice of reason) doesn’t believe it
Ghost enters (looks like Hamlet Sr.) Horatio wants it to speak, but it leaves instead.
Horatio and Marcellus talk about Hamlet Sr.’s conquests in his lifetime
In particular, they speak of the fact that he is returning in full armor—this could foreshadow possible war in the future
Hamlet Sr. defeated Fortinbras of Norway (the senior—his son will come up late)

3. Young Fortinbras has gathered an army to retake the land that Hamlet Sr. took for Fortinbras Sr. (REVENGE theme emerges here)
Make reference to humanity’s doings being affected when nature is in disorder
Emergence of the ghost is representative of nature being out of balance

4. Ghost reenters
The rooster (cock) crows signaling the daybreak—the ghost departs
Line 166 “the morn in russet mantle clad/Walks over the dew of yon high eastern hill” PERSONIFICATION
Unsettled feeling at the end of the scene—what is going to happen with the ghost? The war?
The men decide to bring Hamlet to see the ghost and ask for advice

5. Scene Two
Claudius speaks of the fact that Hamlet Sr.’s funeral has taken place VERY recently and that the wedding between him and Gertrude (Hamlet’s mother) is taking place very shortly after. “With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage” line 12.
Claudius will try and use his diplomatic skills in trying to suppress young Fortinbras
Laertes—(son of Polonius) Asks if he can to go to France
We then meet Hamlet: #8 Aside: short speech/phrase by a character only the audience can hear. “A little more than kin, and less than kind” line 64—Hamlet is not happy with the marriage/uncle/stepdad

6. Queen Gertrude tries to cheer Hamlet up as well—convince him not to be so MELANCHOLY (sad, depressed, dress in dark clothes)
Claudius: berates Hamlet for his “over grieving.”
#92—Soliloquy: A longer speech made by an character in a play in which only the audience may hear what he/she says. The purpose of a soliloquy is to communicate the innermost thoughts of a character and give the audience an idea of their plans.

7. CHARACTER of HAMLET: spontaneity and passion of youth shown here.
Very upset about the marriage
“Frailty, thy name is woman” line 146 He criticizes his mother for her choice
foreshadowing of evil
feeling of self-loathing
#3 ALLUSION: Reference to famous literary work, character, historical event etc. for effect. Eg. “Like Niobe” line 149 woman turned to stone while weeping

8. “But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue!” line 159
Horatio enters—Hamlet is happy to see him—Horatio came to be at the funeral
Horatio tells Hamlet about the ghost—Hamlet is concerned about the fact that Hamlet Sr. (the ghost) is wearing his armour.
HOMEWORK: Read scene three on your own and make notes for a hw check tomorrow.

9. Scene Three
Laertes and Ophelia are brother and sister—Polonius’ offspring
Laertes is suspicious of Hamlet and his intentions towards Ophelia
In particular, he wants her to be aware that love can grow cold
Watch out for lusty men
Ophelia responds positively
Polonius enters—
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be” line 75
long winded advice giver
Polonius warns Ophelia as well about Hamlet—suspicious as well of Hamlet’s intentions
Ophelia obeys Polonius’ wish that she not speak with Hamlet

10. Scene Four Hamlet, Marcellus and Horatio waiting for the ghost appear
Ghost appears and beckons Hamlet
Horatio is the voice of reason and warns Hamlet
Lines 64-78—Horatio points out that the ghost might take on a hideous form and cause Hamlet’s madness
Hamlet breaks away from his friends and follows the ghost
IMAGERY—rotten people/political situation/foreshadowing evil to come

11. Scene Five Hamlet speaks to the ghost
The ghost tells Hamlet that he is Hamlet Sr. and your uncle murdered me—poison in the ear while he was sleeping.
REVENGE THEME EMERGES—Hamlet Sr. wants revenge
Horatio and Marcellus come up to Hamlet—Hamlet makes them swear that they will not talk about the ghost
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, /Thank are dreamt of in your philosophy” line
Hamlet is saying that the rational may not always be the right thinking
HAMLET TELLS HORATIO AND MARCELLUS THAT HE WILL TAKE ON AN “ANTIC DISPOSITION” (behave madly—crazy)
He’s hoping that he can find out for sure about Hamlet Sr’s murder—he wants to set things right again.