1. Hamlet
Act 1, Scene 1 and 2

2. At the start of Act 1, Scene 2, what event has already occurred?
Question 1: Scene 1
At the start of Act 1, Scene 2, what event has already occurred?

3. Question 2: Scene 1
What does the beginning section reveal about the government or social structure of the country?

4. What mood is established in Act 1, Scene 1? Cite textual evidence.
Question 3: Scene 1
What mood is established in Act 1, Scene 1? Cite textual evidence.

5. Question 4: Scene 1
Reread Act 1, Scene 1, Lines What does Horatio reveal about the dead king of Norway, the elder Fortinbras and his son, the young Fortinbras?

6. Question 5: Scene 1
In Act 1, Scene 1, Line 77, Marcellus uses the word brazen: “And why such daily cast of brazen cannon and foreign mart for implements of war.” Look up the different meanings of brazen and explain how Shakespeare is using pun here.

7. Question 6: Scene 1
What all do the soldiers want to learn from the ghost? Cite textual evidence.

8. Question 7: Scene 1
Who do Marcellus, Barnardo, and Horatio think the ghost is? What do they plan to do?

9. Question 8: Scene 2
Reread lines 1-9 of Scene 2. What background information does Claudius give in these lines?

10. Question 9: Scene 2
What other father-son pairing seems to parallel that of Prince Hamlet and his father, King Hamlet? Explain.

11. Question 10: Scene 2
Reread Line 65 in context. Why might young Hamlet’s first words be delivered as an aside?

12. Question 11: Scene 2
How are King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Prince Hamlet, and the dead King related to one another?

13. Question 12: Scene 2
What does the Queen Gertrude advise Prince Hamlet to do? How do Hamlet’s words in show whether or not he will take her advice?

14. Question 13: Scene 2
Reread Lines How does King Claudius want Hamlet to view him? What does King Claudius ask of Hamlet?

15. Question 14: Scene 2
In Hamlet’s first soliloquy on page workbook , how does Prince Hamlet compare the dead King Hamlet to King Claudius? What accusations are made against Claudius and against his mother? How is Hamlet’s internal conflict established in this soliloquy?