Home Page

Identifying Character Traits
In Act One, we learn a great deal about Hamlet's personality through his encounters with different characters. In the character map below, write down which of Hamlet's character traits are revealed in these encounters.

with Horatio with Horatio	with The Ghost with The Ghost

with Claudius with Claudius	with Gertrude with Gertrude

Making Inferences
After you finish reading each scene in Act Two, answer the questions about that scene.

Scene 1 Polonius sends his servant to spy on Laerters in Paris.
What kind of person do you think Polonius is?

Scene 1 Ophelia describes how Hamlet entered her room.

Scene 2 Polonius insists that Hamlet is in love with Ophelia.

Scene 2 Hamlet responds to Polonius's questions with rude and nonsensical remarks.

Why does he behave this way with Polonius?

Scene 2 Hamlet demands to know why Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have paid him a visit.

Identifying Casue and Effect
Events in plays are Events in plays are often linked by cause and effect. The cause is the event that happens first in time. The effect is what happens as a result of the first event. One effect can become the cause of another effect. The following chart lists some events in act three of Hamlet. Fill in the show the cause or effect of each event.

Scene	Cause	Effect
Scene 1	Hamlet speaks harshly to Ophelia
Scene 2		Claudius rushes away from the performance of "The Mousetrap"
Scene 3	Claudius kneels down to pray.
Scene 4	Gertrude calls for help when Hamlet frightens her.
Scene 4		Gertrude begins to question the morality of her recent behavior.

Predicting Outcomes
After reading each scene listed below, make a prediction based on logic and what you know about the character. Then as you read, use this worksheet to record what actually happens.

Scene Two
How will Hamlet behave when he is brought to Claudius?

Scene Three
Will Hamlet discover Claudius's plot to have the English kill him?

Scene Five
Will Claudius win Laertes over to his side?

Scene Six
What will Claudius do when he learns that Hamlet is alive and in Denmark?

Scene Seven
Will Laertes go ahead with the plot against Hamlet?

Summarizing Events
You are a reporter assigned to cover Hamlet after he returns to Elsinore. As you read Act Five, report on these developments.

Explain who is being buried at the graveyard and the rumors circulating about this person's death.

Describe the encounter between Hamlet and Laertes at the funeral.

Explain how Hamlet managed to avoid the plot on his life.

Describe Hamlet's behavior toward Laertes before their fencing match.

Describe what happens to Gertrude during the match.

Explain how Hamlet and Laertes get wounded.

Describe how Hamlet gets his revenge.

Explain Hamlet's final wishes before hs dies.

Review the asterisked words in the Glossary for Hamlet. Then complet the Activities below.

A. Determine whether each statement would likely be True or False. (I am tired of guessing)

1. The directions were so clear that they were inexplicable.

2. He knew he had plentyof time to prepare his presentation, since the deadline was imminent.

3. Everyone reparded the tardy student as a paragon of good behavior.

4. In the interview, the actor was plain and direct, not full of affectation.

5. All the grandparents were charmed by the children's courtesy and insolence.

6. The ending of the story was ambiguous and confusing.

7. The salesperson's vague, rambling explanation conveyed the pith of the new computer program.

8. Most of the staff members were uncomfortable with the obsequious behavior of the new employee.

9. Several of her suggestions were germane to our discussion.

10. For all his contriving, he was rarely successful and didn't fool anyone.

B. Identify each pair of words as Synonyms or Antonyms. (I am tired of guessing)

Choose Two of the following essay questions to answer.

Choose 2 of the following essay questions to answer.

Choose only 2 of the following essay questions to answer.

1. Loyalty and betrayal are important themes in Hamlet. Choose one of these themes and explain how it relates to the development of the play. Include examples to support your ideas.

2. Why does Hamlet take so long to get his revenge? Is he delayed by traits in his character or by external obstracles that prevent him from acting sooner? Use the box below to list causes of the delay (type "Hamlet's Character Traits" then list the traits and "External Obstacles" then list the obstacles). Then explain which cause or causes are most important.

3. Hamlet chooses Horatio to tell his story to the world. How does Horatio's presence in the play effect the reader's understanding of Prince Hamlet and the events that occur in Elsinore?

4. Do you think Hamlet is hopeful, despairing, or both? Consider the characters, their relationships, and the events that occur in the play. Support your answer with examples.

5. In the first two acts of the play, much of the discussion at court concerns Hamlet's grieving over the loss of his father. The speaker in "Father and Son" and Shaila in "The Management of Grief" also mourn the loss of loved ones. Compare Hamlet's grieving with the grieving of one of these two characters.