Hamlet: Act I And II Pgs. 3-80

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1. Who was Hamlet Sr. refering to in the quote, " A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark."

Explanation

In this quote, Hamlet Sr. is referring to Claudius. He uses the metaphor of being stung by a serpent to describe the betrayal and deceit he experienced. The phrase "the whole ear of Denmark" suggests that Claudius's actions have had a significant impact on the entire country. This quote highlights the deep resentment and anger that Hamlet Sr. feels towards Claudius for his actions.

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About This Quiz
Hamlet Quizzes & Trivia

This quiz covers key details and elements from Acts I and II of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', focusing on character actions, symbolic references, and thematic expressions.

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2. What play does Hamlet want performed?

Explanation

In the play Hamlet, the protagonist wants a play performed called "The Murder of Gonzaga." This play is also known as "The Mousetrap" and is intended to catch the conscience of Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, who is responsible for his father's murder. By watching the reactions of Claudius during the performance, Hamlet hopes to confirm his guilt and seek revenge. This play within a play is a crucial plot device used by Shakespeare to advance the story and reveal the truth behind the murder.

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3. What does Bernardo and Marcellus see that Horatio tells them does not exist?

Explanation

Bernardo and Marcellus see a ghost, which Horatio tells them does not exist.

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4. What is Hamlet's reply to the question, " What do you read, my lord?"

Explanation

In this question, Hamlet's reply to the question "What do you read, my lord?" is "Words, words, words." This response suggests that Hamlet is feeling cynical and disillusioned, as if he believes that reading and words are ultimately meaningless. It reflects his overall state of mind and his frustration with the world around him.

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5. What is Hamlet's plan to see if the king killed his father?

Explanation

Hamlet's plan to see if the king killed his father is to have him watch a play and observe his reaction. By staging a play that mirrors the circumstances of his father's murder, Hamlet hopes to provoke a guilty reaction from the king if he is indeed the culprit. This plan allows Hamlet to gather evidence and confirm his suspicions before taking any further action.

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6. What does Hamlet mean when he stated, " I'll catch the conscience of the king."

Explanation

Hamlet's statement, "I'll catch the conscience of the king," suggests that he plans to use a play to gauge the king's guilt. If the king is indeed guilty, he will have a negative reaction to the play, such as feeling uncomfortable, showing signs of distress, or displaying a guilty conscience. This reaction would confirm Hamlet's suspicions and provide evidence of the king's guilt.

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7. What is Claudius' real purpose for having people spy on Hamlet?

Explanation

Claudius' real purpose for having people spy on Hamlet is because he is afraid of how Hamlet is acting. This suggests that Claudius is concerned about Hamlet's behavior and is trying to gather information to protect himself and his position as king. By spying on Hamlet, Claudius hopes to uncover any potential threats or plots against him, ensuring his own safety and stability in the kingdom.

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8. Why reason does everyone think Hamlet is crazy?

Explanation

Hamlet is perceived as crazy because he is in love. This explanation suggests that his behavior is influenced by his emotions and feelings for someone, which may cause him to act erratically or unpredictably. Being in love can often lead to irrational behavior, and this could be the reason why people think Hamlet is crazy.

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9. Why are Rosencrantz and Guilenstern in Denmark?

Explanation

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are in Denmark to spy on Hamlet. This can be inferred from the given options as "A mission from the king" and "To spy on Hamlet" are the only options related to their purpose in Denmark. Since there is no mention of them being on a mission from the king, the correct answer is that they are there to spy on Hamlet.

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10. What country does Fortinbra claim to be taking over?

Explanation

Fortinbra claims to be taking over Poland.

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11. Who says the following quote: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."

Explanation

Marcellus says the quote "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." This line is from Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Marcellus says it in Act 1, Scene 4, after seeing the ghost of King Hamlet. The quote is often interpreted as a metaphor for the corruption and deceit that exists within the kingdom of Denmark. Marcellus's statement reflects the underlying tension and unease that permeates throughout the play.

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12. Why does Shakespeare make the last line of a scene a couplet?

Explanation

Shakespeare makes the last line of a scene a couplet to indicate a scene change. By using a couplet, which is a pair of rhyming lines, Shakespeare signals to the audience that a new scene is beginning. This helps to maintain clarity and structure within the play, allowing the audience to follow along and understand the progression of the story. Additionally, the use of a couplet adds a sense of finality and closure to the scene, creating a dramatic effect and leaving the audience eager to see what happens next.

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13. What is Horatio most known for?

Explanation

Horatio is most known for his knowledge of classic mythology. This implies that he has a deep understanding of the myths and legends from ancient Greece and Rome. He is likely well-versed in the stories of gods, heroes, and creatures from these mythologies, and can provide detailed explanations and interpretations of them. This knowledge could be useful in various contexts, such as literature, history, and cultural studies.

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14. What does Polonius mean when he said, " Blood burns, how prodigal the soul lends the tongue"

Explanation

Polonius means that when someone is consumed by lust, they become reckless with their words and will say anything without considering the consequences. Lust can cloud one's judgment and cause them to disregard the importance of their speech, leading them to speak impulsively and without restraint. This implies that lust can make people lose control over their actions and disregard the impact of their words on others.

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15. What is Anea's tale to Dido a reference to?

Explanation

Anea's tale to Dido is a reference to Dante's Inferno. In Dante's Inferno, Anea is a character who tells his story to Dido, the Queen of Carthage, in the underworld. This reference suggests that the tale being told by Anea to Dido is a story of suffering, punishment, and the consequences of one's actions, which aligns with the themes explored in Dante's Inferno.

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16. Who does Hamlet call Polonius for his actions he has taken with his daughter?

Explanation

Hamlet calls Polonius "Jephthah" to criticize his actions towards his daughter. Jephthah was a biblical figure who made a rash vow to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house if he won a battle. Unfortunately, his daughter was the first to greet him, and he felt obligated to fulfill his vow, causing great sorrow. By comparing Polonius to Jephthah, Hamlet is implying that Polonius is making thoughtless and harmful decisions, just like Jephthah did.

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17. In Act I, what is the rooster an allusion to?

Explanation

The rooster in Act I is an allusion to when Jesus was born. In Christian tradition, the crowing of a rooster is often associated with the story of Peter denying Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. This event signifies a significant moment in the life of Jesus and is often used as a symbol of redemption and forgiveness. Therefore, the rooster in Act I can be seen as a symbolic reference to the birth of Jesus and the themes of redemption and forgiveness that may be explored in the play.

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18. The quote " Spikey springs put on a roof to kill woodcocks" is a metaphor about:

Explanation

The quote "Spikey springs put on a roof to kill woodcocks" is a metaphor that represents Ophelia. The metaphor implies that Ophelia is being used as a trap or a tool to harm or manipulate others, just like the spikey springs are set up to kill woodcocks. This suggests that Ophelia is being taken advantage of or used for someone else's purposes, highlighting her vulnerability and the mistreatment she experiences throughout the play.

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19. Who is Pyrrhus?

Explanation

Pyrrhus is not the correct answer for this question. The correct answer is Paris. Pyrrhus was not the king of Troy, a warrior, or a god. Paris, on the other hand, was a prince of Troy and is famously known for his role in the Trojan War. He is best known for his abduction of Helen, which sparked the war between the Greeks and the Trojans.

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Who was Hamlet Sr. refering to in the quote, " A serpent stung me; so...
What play does Hamlet want performed?
What does Bernardo and Marcellus see that Horatio tells them does not...
What is Hamlet's reply to the question, " What do you read, my...
What is Hamlet's plan to see if the king killed his father?
What does Hamlet mean when he stated, " I'll catch the conscience of...
What is Claudius' real purpose for having people spy on Hamlet?
Why reason does everyone think Hamlet is crazy?
Why are Rosencrantz and Guilenstern in Denmark?
What country does Fortinbra claim to be taking over?
Who says the following quote: "Something is rotten in the state of...
Why does Shakespeare make the last line of a scene a couplet?
What is Horatio most known for?
What does Polonius mean when he said, " Blood burns, how prodigal the...
What is Anea's tale to Dido a reference to?
Who does Hamlet call Polonius for his actions he has taken with his...
In Act I, what is the rooster an allusion to?
The quote " Spikey springs put on a roof to kill woodcocks" is a...
Who is Pyrrhus?
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