Personal Impressions
Act 1 Scene 1 4.23.03
1.) Barnardo takes over sentry duty at midnight who is the approached by Marcellous and Horatio. Horatio asks if he’s seen the spirit because he thinks their seeing things. Barnardo tells what has happened the last two days and the ghost appears. They think it’s there old king but they get no response to their questions. The spirit leaves then returns and still doesn’t answer any questions. Marcellus informs they others Fortinbras’s son has recruited desperadoes because the king killed his father and took over his land. The spirit disappears because a cock crowed and they decide to tell prince Hamlet.
3.) Horatio Do you or do you not believe in spirits now? Would you take a different shift if you could? Marcellus Do you wont to tell prince Hamlet about the ghost yourself or with they others?
4.) Barnardo say, “Last night of all, when yond same star that’s Westward from the pole Had made his course t’illume that part of heaven where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then beating one.”This line really describes the setting of Marcellus and Barnardo’s encounter with the ghost. It gives you a glimpse of what it must have been like at first.
Act 1 Scene 2 4.24.03
1.) Claudius, crowned king upon Hamlet’s father’s death, enters with the Queen Gertrude. Claudius, Hamlets uncle, has married Hamlet’s mother. Hamlets wearing black and everyone else white. The king wants everyone to mourn the wedding and rejoice Hamlet’s death. The King sends Cornelius and Voltemand to strengthen ties with Fortinbras’s brother. Laertes is granted to go to France and Claudius asks why Hamlet is so depressed. Hamlet explains his pain and Claudius finds it insulting to hold on to mourning. Claudius calls him a girl. Hamlet talks about how great his father was and how was it so easy for his mother to get over his death. Everyone leaves and Horatio and Marcellus arrive. They tell him what they have seen the past two nights and Hamlet decides to go see for himself. He has them swear to not tell anyone else about this.
2.) This scene is important because we see how the relationships between Claudius and Hamlet are, how he feels about his father’s death, his mother’s quick recovery, and Hamlet decides to see the spirit. The play would be confusing because you wouldn’t know who’s with whom. It sets the bases of Hamlets misery.
3.) Claudius Why are you such a jerk? Queen Gertrude Why did you marry Claudius and get over your husband so easily? Hamlet What are you going to do next?
Act 1 Scene 3 4.25.03
1.) Laertes and Ophelia enter their father's house (Polonius). Hamlet tells Ophelia not to think to deeply about her relationship with Hamlet because it's just a fling. Laertes says love wouldn't last because he would be so busy. He tells her to stay out of harms was because he doesn't wont a good girl like Ophelia to give herself away. She tells Laertes that he should take his own advice. Laertes says goodbye to Ophelia and Polonius. Polonius tells Ophelia not to believe Hamlet's vows of love and that he is deceitful. All Hamlet wants is kicks and Ophelia swears to never speak to him again.
4.) Polonius says, "And in the morn & liquid dew of youth contagious blastments are more imminent. Be wary then: best safety lies in fear. Youth to itself rebels, though none else near." This line really describes his feelings towards Hamlet and at the same time makes Laertes look like a fool. He should take his own advice about relationships. I was shocked and amazed at how he described Hamlet. It also reveals Ophelia's feelings for Lord Hamlet as beyond friendship.
5.) Laertes seems to be very protective of his sister and wishes only the best for her. I can understand why he would dislike Hamlet. Probably because he's royalty is a major problem. He feels that power corrupts and I tend to agree. From what I've reed Hamlet seems to be a nice guy at heart. I think if they got to know Hamlet a little better they might get a better picture of who he is.
Act 1 Scene 4 4.28.03
1.) Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus meet outside the castle walls. Marcellus tells Hamlet the ghost usually appears around midnight and suddenly they hear trumpets. It's the king drinking and Hamlet tells they others that the drinking puts this nation to shame with other nations. The ghost appears and he wonders weather the spirit is good or evil. Hamlet asks why the spirit has approached them and starts to follow the spirit as it disappears. Marcellus and Horatio restrain Hamlet telling him that isn't a good idea and eventually they let Hamlet go. They both decide to follow him.
3.) Marcellus Why don't you just let him go at first? Barnardo Why did you help Marcellus to stop Hamlet? Hamlet Whatis going through your mind right now?
6.) I'm not sure if Horatio and Marcellus understand how Hamlet feels about his father's spirit running around. For a moment I was confused about weather they hated Hamlet or liked Hamlet. I just wont Marcellus and Horatio to trust in Lord Hamlet's judgement. Their disbelief in Lord Hamlet's judgement was clear when Horatio says, "It beckons you to go away with it, as if it some inpartment did desire To you alone." Even though this is good in intention it maybe received as Hamlet being weak.
Act 1 Scene 5 4.29.03
1.) The ghost and Hamlet are in the battlement and Hamlet refuses to continue on until the ghost answers him. The ghost tells Hamlet to listen and finds out that this is his father's ghost. He must do good deeds to purge his soul of sin. The ghost tells Hamlet, "If you heard of my sins you would be scared to death." Claudius killed Hamlet's father and infatuated himself with the queen. The ghost tells Hamlet not to let incest take over the kingdom and do not harm your mother. Horatio and Marcellus arrive and Hamlet tells them that he thinks they should go their separate ways. Hamlet and the ghost have them swear upon Hamlet's sword to not reveal to anyone what they have seen or heard.
5.) King Hamlet's ghost seems to be very troubled and worried about his wife Ophelia. The king sounded very determind and deep when he told Hamlet what he had to do. I can understand how the king feels. I wouldn't be to happy if my wife married my brother after I died either. I think what he said to Hamlet really stroke home in changing Hamlet's confidence and what direction he's taking.
7.) I feel sorry for King Hamlet and not sorry at the same time. It's ad he has to redem himself and be stuck between life and death. The thing that makes me feel not so sorry is when he says, "To tell the secrets of my prison-house, I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze the young blood, Make thy two eyes like stars from their spheres." That tells me he has a lot of sins and perhaps this is why he's between worlds.
Act 2 Scene 1 Summary:
Polonius sends for his servant, Reynaldo, to France with money and written notes for Laertes. He also commands him to spy on Laertes' personal life. He gives him precise directions as to how to pursue his inquiry. While Reynaldo leaves, Ophelia enters, obviously disturbed. She tells Polonius that Hamlet, messy and confused, has approached her. Hamlet grabbed her, held her, but did not address her. Polonius says that Hamlet must be mad with his love for Ophelia, for she has detachmented herself from him ever since Polonius ordered her to do so. Polonius contemplates that this lovesickness might be the cause of Hamlet's attitude, and he dashes out to tell Claudius his idea.
Main Point
The friends of Hamlet have been sent to find out why he was angry. They are working for the King in hopes of getting on his good side. Hamlets friend do not care about him at all or they would tell him what is going on with Claudius and Gertrude.
Questions:
1. How will Hamlet seemly mad state affect Claudius? 2. Will the King and Queen take the accusations of Polonius seriously? 3. How does Ophelia feel about not seeing Hamlet? 4. If she is pregnant, what is going to happen to the baby?
Quotes
Love is an ecstasy or madness that forces people to do strange things. This is the very ecstasy of love. (2.1.101)
Act 2 Scene 2
Summary
Claudius and Gertrude welcome two of Hamlet's friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern from Wittenberg. Concerned about Hamlet's unpredictable behavior and his obvious inability to recover from his father's death, the king and queen have asked his friends to Elsinore in the hope that they might be able to cheer Hamlet out of his depressed stae, or at least discover the cause of it. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to investigate, and the queen orders attendants to take them to hamlet. Polonius enters the room announcing the return of the ambassadors whom Claudius sent to Norway. Voltimand and Cornelius enter and describe what took place with the king of Norway: the king scolded Fortinbras for attempting to make war on Denmark. Polonius enters to proclaim the arrival of the players that followed him into the room. Hamlet welcomes them and pleads one of them to give him a speech about the fall of Troy and the death of the Trojan king and queen. Hamlet orders Polonius to see that they are accompanied to the spare rooms. Hamlet leaves Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and now stands alone in the room
Quotes
Hamlet is speaking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern on his madness (2.2.402): "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw."
Questions
1. Why do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to help the King and Queen? 2. Would Hamlet confide into them? 3. Should Hamlets friends help the King?
Act 3, Scene 1:
In the hope of discovering the reasons for Hamlets distress, the king and queen decide to engineer a meeting between him and Ophelia. Polonius asks her to pretend to be alone while the and the king hide behind a tapestry. Hamlet enters and declaims his famous monologue, To be or not to be, up until the moment he notices Ophelia. He denies any love for her and advises her not to marry and to enter a convent instead. Claudius now starts to believe that Hamlets madness is not due to no loved suspects that he might pose a threat to his crown. He decides to get him out of the way by sending him to England. Polonius suggests one final attempt at discovering the reasons for Hamlets behavior by arranging a meeting with his mother, Gertrude.
Act 3, Scene 2:
Having given his instructions to the actors, Hamlet asks Horatio to observe the reactions of the king during the performance. The king, queen and their court attend the performance. Hamlet, his head on Ophelias knees, prepares to make comments to her about the play, which is preceded by a mimed summary of the action, followed by some words addressed to the public by a character called Prologue. The spoken play itself begins, stressing the themes of treason, murder and incest. At the moment Lucianus pours poison into the ear of the king Claudius raises and leaves the hall in anger, even though Hamlet had forewarned him that the play would deal with the murder of Duke Gonzago in Vienna.
Hamlet now believes he has received conformation that his father was murdered. The king sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, then Polonius, to convey his mothers wish that they speak with each other. Hamlet declares his intention to wreak vengeance on the king but decides not to take it out on his mother other than in words.
Act 3, Scene 3:
Claudius charges Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with escorting Hamlet to England. Polonius goes to spy on Hamlets meeting with the queen. Left alone, the king experiences remorse for his actions, and gets down on his knees to pray and ask for forgiveness for his sins. Hamlet enters and could easily kill the king, but refuses the opportunity as the king would go to heaven if killed whilst praying.
Act 3, Scene 4:
Polonius, hidden behind a hanging curtain, overhears the conversation between Gertrude and Hamlet. Hamlets wild behavior and manner so frighten the queen that she cries out for assistance. When Polonius makes a move, betraying his presence, Hamlet kills him, believing him to be the king. He then admonishes the queen for her unworthy behavior and loss of virtue. The ghost of the dead king arrives and urges Hamlet to seek vengeance against the king but not to add to the suffering of his mother. Hamlet asks his mother to stop sharing Claudius bed, then shifts slightly and suggests she meet and informs him of what has happened. He leaves the room, dragging behind him the dead body of Polonius.
Act 4:
Scene 1:
1) Claudious goes to his wife who is sitting in a chamber. He asks her where Hamlet is ans she tells him that he left. She then tells him that Hamlet is mad and killed Polonious. Claudious senses the danger and tells her that he's going to send Hamlet to England on the next ship out. She tells him that Hamlet took off with Polonious' body. He sends Rose. and Guild. after Hamlet to get the body back.
3) Claudious, do you now see the true dander you've been in this whole time?
Gerturde, how come you don't believe your son? Can't you actually give him the benifit-of-a-dout for once?
5) I really can't believe that after all that Hamlet said Gerturde still doesn't believe him! How could she take Claudious' side on this matter!? She believes Claudious is right about Hamlet being insane. She's actling like a big dumby for heaven's sake!
7) This scene makes me feel even more badly for Hamlet. He may not be in this scene, but it still makes me feel sorry for him. Gerturde is a big ho if you ask me. She acts all worried, but you gotta be able to tell that it's fake. Her mind is always shifting and never stays in one place to long, or so it seems to me.
Scene 2:
1) Basically, Rose. and Guild. confront Hamlet and ask him where he put the dead body of Polonious. Hamlet goes off and tells them that they are acting badly and should be giving more respect to the one who should be king. They say something back and he tells them that they have been baught by the king and that he wants nothing else to do with them. They tells him that he needs to tell them where the body is and go with them to the king. He tells them that it lays with the king and take him there.
6) Ther relationship, between Rose., Guild. and Hamlet is now broken. It has been severed by Claudious and his greed. In this scene, you can tell that Hamlet doesn't want them around anymore. They have been baught off. They'll do anything Claudious tells them to do now which makes me sad for Hamlet.
7) Oow! How I bet Hamlet wants to kill those two! They are dogs! I wouldn't hold it against Hamlet if he did kill them, they deserve it for what they've been doing to him. I bet he's just iching to pull out a knife on them. I know I would. He could possibly be thinking of how to kill them where they stand.
4) ".....I can keep your counsel and not mine own?"
How many times my brothers have walked in on me and kept his nose in my business is countless. I wish they'd leave me be and not bother me for a few hours and I believe this is how Hamlet feels.
"A knavish speach sleeps in a foolish ear."
I remeber many times where I'd say something important to a friend and they'd ignore me. I hate it when people do that to me. It's not nice to not listen.
Scene 3:
1) Rose. and Guild. confront Claudious and tell him that Hamlet wont tell them where Polonious' body it. He tells them to bring Hamlet to him, which they do. Claudious then asks Hamlet himself. Hamlet tells him that he had buried him. Claudious tells the men to go find him then tells Hamlet that he is going back to England.
2) This scene makes it seem Hamlet is quite off his rocker. You can tell he's not there really. If they were to remove this scene, it wouldn't be missed in my opinion. Hamlet has definately gone off the deep end, so to speak.
3) Um, Claudious? Do you really want to send Hamlet to England?
Hamlet, you had a couple of chances to kill him, so why didn't you? Afraid to?
5) I don't understand why Claudious would send Hamlet back to England. It seems like a vary bad idea to be. Who knows how much trouble he'll cause there. Doesn't Claudious have a brain? If he does he should use it!
Scene 4:
1) Hamlet and his men find the captain of Fortinbras' army. Hamlet questions him. He gives them answers, not knowing who they are. Soon everyone leaves and Hamlet goes off on another tirade.
3) Uh...captain? Why are you talking to people about Fortinbras' plans? Do you think thats a bit unwise? Are you stupid or something?
Hey Hamlet, what are you doing there? Don't you think your men are getting suspicous of you?
2) I don't think this scene is vary important. It doesn't seem to have a purpose to me. The only thing that happened is Hamlet finds out that Fortinbras is going after Poland.
4) "Truely to speak, and with no addition."
This quote reminds me of how people will add tons of fluff to what their saying. It irratates me a bit when people go off and take a long time to get to the point.
"That for a fantasy and trick of fame."
So many people like to decieve others, and life to some is nothing but a lie. We believe those decietful people and get nothing but pain in return.
5) Hamlet seems distracted, yet there at the same time. It makes me wonder whats going through his mind. Could he actually be going insane? I'm not sure if he has all of his marbles so to speak. Although the captain seems so distracted that he doesn't know nor care who he's talking to.
Scene 5:
5) Oh man, Ophelia has gone totally insane. The way she rambles on tells us that she has lost it. Her brother and everyone else thinks she's crazy to, so it's not just me.
6) I believe that this scene shows that Laertes and Ophelia have a deep bond. He cares about his sister and is distrought to see she has gone insane. Ophelia doesn't really know whats going on around her. Laertes seems to want to protect her and try to give her back some of her sanity. He is troubled that a young woman can go insane just as an old man can die.
7) I feel so sad for Ophelia. She had just lost the guy she was in love with and was going to marry. Then her brother goes off to France, and now her father is dead. I don't blame her for going crazy, I would to! Now that I think of it she's been fragile through the whole play.
2) I think this scene is an important one because it shows that Hamlet isn't as insane as he plays he is. Ophelia is definately insane, and it shows how insanity may differ from person to person. This scene also shows how much Laertes loves his sister... well to me anyways.
Scene 6:
1) Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet. The letter tells Horatio that his ship was attacked by pirates. The pirates brought him back after he told them they'd get a reward, and he needs Horatio to meet him. He also tells Horatio to let the letters the men have get to the king.
2) I don't know if this scene is important or not just yet. I think it may have some importance, but as of this moment all I can tell is that something happened to Rose. and Guild. Horatio seems... agitated a little at finding out that Hamlet's ship was attacked, so maybe tdhat has some relavence to it.
3) Um... Horatio, do you really want to do what this letter is telling you to do? How do you know that it's really Hamlet? Do you really want those letters to get to the king?
7) I'm not sure Horatio is in his right ming. Actually I'm starting to think everyone in this play is insane. Horatio gets a letter and starts doing what it tells him to do, who in their right mind would do that? I would think it a bit to conspicuous to follow through with.
5) I would never go and begin doing something someone supposidly wrote down for me to do. It's just nuts to do such a thing. If that person was there and told me, then that would be a different thing altogether.
Scene 7:
7) Oh no... poor Laertes! Now he has no one left. I can't believe Opelia committed suicide, poor girl. I don't blame her though. She had noting left to live for, but what will Laertes do now that Ophelia is dead? I can see why he'd side with Claudious.
6) I can see that there is a relationship growing between Claudious and Laertes now. They are a couple of sceaming kuso tares. Stupid Claudious hooking poor Laertes into this mess! Laertes doesn't know any better though, so I can't blame him for wanting revenge.
2) This scene is one of the most important ones cus it sets up the final climax, and final scenes. You wouldn't have a play if this one scene was deleted.
3) Hey Claudous! What the hell! Why are you trying to kill Hamlet by getting Laertes invovled!? You jerk, don't you know that will only cause more problems? Are you a total idiot?
Laertes, why are you listening to that jerk? Don't you have sense enough to smell a fat rat when you see one?
5) OMG! I hate Claudious! I can't believe he's getting Laertes into the mess he started. Thats a typical greedy man for ya. Who else is going to die because of his stupidity? Laertes is stupid for falling for Claudious' tricks! And poor Ophelia! She goes and drowns herself because of Claudious. I mean come on, enough is enough, get the Hamlet!
Act 5 Scene 1
1) The grave-digger talks to the other about Ophelia being buried in a Christian cemetery, even though the grave-digger thinks she shouldnt be burried in a cemetery if she killed herself. That the Christian have more leeway on their own kind. Hamlet tries to get the grave-digger to tell him who was going to be buried there, but had no luck. Then the grave-digger tells him the skull he had picked up was the late kings jesture, Yorick. Then the funeral of Ophelia comes, and Hamlet reveals himself, and Laertes and Hamlet begin to struggle. Then Hamlet says that he loved Ophelia and runs off. Horatio is sent after him to watch over him. (K.S.)
3) Hamlet- Why do you come in a hooded garment, then reveal yourself and confess your love for Ophelia? Why do leave quickly after confessing your love of Ophelia, after your mother insults you? Queen- Why would you not give Hamlet his rightful place, let alone back him up? Laertes- Why do you waste your time wrestling with Hamlet at a funeral to honor your sister? This seems to greatly dishonor your sister more than anything. (K.S.)
4) I prithee take thy fingers from my throat, for though I am not splenitive and rash, yet I in me something dangerous, which let wisdom fear. Hold of thy hand. This gave me an insight that Hamlet isnt crazy, yet uses it as an excuse for Laertes to fear him. It showed me that Hamlet was willing to use anything to get out of a bind. Then it really makes you wonder if he is acting crazy, because he at this point is making sense of his words. (K.S.)
7) I cant believe that Hamlet would show up here, at my sisters funeral. The nerve of him, to be the cause of her death. To kill my father, and then to drive her to the point of her own death. Then to confess his love for her, he truly is a crazy madman. To mock me in my grief for my sister he shall pay. (K.S.)
Act 5 Scene 2
1) Hamlet tells Horatio that he had found a royal letter that was to have him killed on reading the letter. This was to be brought from King Claudius and taken to the king of England. Then Hamlet told Horatio how he had switched the letter to say Rosencrantz and Guildenstern upon arrival of this letter, and sealed it with his fathers royal seal. Then Hamlet talks of how Claudius had betrayed him and his father. Then Hamlet later told Laertes that he was sorry for the way he had acted at Ophelias funeral, that he was crazy and didnt mean any harm by it. Hamlet tells Horatio that Osric owns a large portion of land. Osric has come to tell Hamlet that the King wants him to fight Laertes. Hamlet agrees to the proposal and says he will try to win for the king. Before the fight Hamlet apologizes for his insanity, as they begin to choose their armor. During the fight Laertes cuts Hamlet with the poisoned sword, then they lose their swords and Hamlets ends up getting the poisoned sword and cuts Laertes, as the queen unknowingly drinks the poison that was meant for Hamlet. As Hamlet discovers that that his mother had drunk poison that was meant for him he made Claudius drink it and then Claudius died, and Laertes was soon followed by death. Hamlet tells Horatio to give Fortinbras his support shortly before he died. Then Horatio and Fortinbras army took the bodies to the stage to tell the story of what had happened and give Fortinbras Hamlets blessing to be the new king. (K.S.)
2) I think that the significance of the scene is to show that the king may have succeeded in the downfall of Hamlet. Yet in the process Laertes, the Queen, and King die due to the kings plan backfiring on him. It shows that not everything goes as you plan it to. (K.S.)
3) Mr. Nicholson- Why do most of the deaths happen in this last scene? Why doesnt Horatio kill himself as well? None of this makes any sense. Horatio- Why do you take the bodies to the stage? Why are you going to tell their story? Why does Fortinbras show up at the end of the story, after the King, Queen, Hamlet and Laertes are all dead? (K.S.)
7) I feel bad for Horatio, having to deal with all of those deaths all at once. Then to have Hamlet give Fortinbras his blessing to become the new king right before he died. Then to have Fortinbras march in with his army to carry the bodies out to the platform to tell the story of what had happened to them. He must have been stressed, having most everyone he knew and cared about die. Its a shock he didnt kill himself too