1) How is interest created in the opening scene?
The guards are talking to a ghost in the form of their king who died. INTERESTING ENOUGH. The ghost sets up a foreshadow for the play that something unpleasant may happen later.
2) What information are we given to help us understand the situation?
We are given the back-story of King Hamlet’s prior battles. The ghost in the form of Hamlet is wearing armor from a battle against Fortinbras, the king of Norway. Fortinbras dared Hamlet to fight and Hamlet killed him and received all the land he had. Fortinbras’s son however, also named Fortinbras, is now out for revenge and wants to reclaim the land his father lost. (Hamlet is dead – perfect time to rekindle an old fire of hatred while a kingdom is being rebuilt).
3) What happens at the end of the scene to create suspense and keep up the reader’s interest?
Because none of the guards were able to get the ghost to speak, they believed they owed it to Hamlet out of duty and love to tell him what they had seen. They think that the ghost will talk to Hamlet – especially if it’s his father’s ghost.
4) What is the mood of the scene?
The men of the scene are nervous – they don’t know when the ghost will appear, and when it does they don’t know what to say to it to get it to talk. They even attempt to threaten it with violence. They’re also afraid of why the ghost is in the form of their dead king.
5) Why are the sentries apprehensive (there are two reasons)?
The guards are afraid because the ghost has presented itself and in the form of King Hamlet’s ghost. Horatio believes that this is a sign of that something bad is about to happen in the country. Marcellus questions why the guards have had such a strict schedule to work, why so many bronze cannons are being made, so many weapons are being brought over by sea, and why shipbuilders are working even on Sundays. Horatio believes that another war is going to break out because of their newest King’s past with Fortinbras, the king of Norway. Bernardo thinks that explains why Hamlets ghost appeared now – because people are about to seek revenge on the previous wars he had caused.
6) What reasons are suggested by Horatio for the appearance of the late King’s ghost?
Horatio is the first to make the assumption that the ghost is a sign that something bad is going to happen to their country. He later, when talking to the ghost, says, “Oh, speak! Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life, extorted treasure in the womb of earth for which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, speak of it. Stay and speak!” This hints at the possibility that Hamlet has some hidden treasure somewhere that is causing the ghost to be troubled.
The guards are talking to a ghost in the form of their king who died. INTERESTING ENOUGH. The ghost sets up a foreshadow for the play that something unpleasant may happen later.
2) What information are we given to help us understand the situation?
We are given the back-story of King Hamlet’s prior battles. The ghost in the form of Hamlet is wearing armor from a battle against Fortinbras, the king of Norway. Fortinbras dared Hamlet to fight and Hamlet killed him and received all the land he had. Fortinbras’s son however, also named Fortinbras, is now out for revenge and wants to reclaim the land his father lost. (Hamlet is dead – perfect time to rekindle an old fire of hatred while a kingdom is being rebuilt).
3) What happens at the end of the scene to create suspense and keep up the reader’s interest?
Because none of the guards were able to get the ghost to speak, they believed they owed it to Hamlet out of duty and love to tell him what they had seen. They think that the ghost will talk to Hamlet – especially if it’s his father’s ghost.
4) What is the mood of the scene?
The men of the scene are nervous – they don’t know when the ghost will appear, and when it does they don’t know what to say to it to get it to talk. They even attempt to threaten it with violence. They’re also afraid of why the ghost is in the form of their dead king.
5) Why are the sentries apprehensive (there are two reasons)?
The guards are afraid because the ghost has presented itself and in the form of King Hamlet’s ghost. Horatio believes that this is a sign of that something bad is about to happen in the country. Marcellus questions why the guards have had such a strict schedule to work, why so many bronze cannons are being made, so many weapons are being brought over by sea, and why shipbuilders are working even on Sundays. Horatio believes that another war is going to break out because of their newest King’s past with Fortinbras, the king of Norway. Bernardo thinks that explains why Hamlets ghost appeared now – because people are about to seek revenge on the previous wars he had caused.
6) What reasons are suggested by Horatio for the appearance of the late King’s ghost?
Horatio is the first to make the assumption that the ghost is a sign that something bad is going to happen to their country. He later, when talking to the ghost, says, “Oh, speak! Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life, extorted treasure in the womb of earth for which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, speak of it. Stay and speak!” This hints at the possibility that Hamlet has some hidden treasure somewhere that is causing the ghost to be troubled.
Good answers here!!! O HIE!
ReplyDelete