Julie Johnson
Nora Sassounian
Jeania Ree Moore
15 February 2008
AP English – bl. G
Hamlet Seminar Questions
Act I, scene ii – O that this too, too solid flesh would melt
1. What does Hamlet’s choice of words reveal about him? (consider the references to Niobe, Hercules, Hyperion, etc.)
2. What general theme does this soliloquy bring into question?
3. How does the theme of seeming and being continue in this soliloquy? (consider the progression of content/emotion)
4. What is Hamlet’s underlying question in this soliloquy?
5. What general progressions are seen in this soliloquy? Do any words/phrases mark specific turning points?
6. Does this soliloquy set up Hamlet/prepare him mentally/emotionally for what is to come? Put another way, does this soliloquy and its underlying question make him “fertile ground” for the seeds of anger/motive/call to do something that are later planted?
7. If Hamlet were one of your stereotypical criminals today, which would he be? (i.e. the inherently evil character in westerns, the crazy/gone postal bad guy, the extremely sane and logical bad guy, etc.)
Jeanna M. Ashman, Abby Read, and Maria Sartor
Act I, sc.2 “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt”
1. Why is Hamlet upset?
2. How does Hamlet’s view of his father differ from his view of his uncle?
3. How does his mother’s marriage to his uncle affect his view of her?
4. Does Hamlet think his mother has properly mourned his father’s death?
5. When Hamlet exclaims, “Frailty thy name is woman” what is he implying about women.
6. What do the first lines of the soliloquy say about Hamlet’s view of death?
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Emily Legault
Meredith Martens
Alina Kung
Hamlet Seminar Questions
Soliloquy #2: “O What a rogue and peasant slave am I!”
Act II Scene ii
1. In general, what are Hamlet’s feelings during his soliloquy? How do changes in the tone reflect his feelings?
2. In the first part of the soliloquy (ll. 575-85), Hamlet describes one of the players and his acting abilities. Why is Hamlet angered by this?
3. Why does Hamlet call himself a “coward” in line 598? What makes him feel this way?
4. In line 614, Hamlet refers to himself as a “whore.” What is Hamlet trying to say in this comparison? How does this reveal the deeper conflict Hamlet is facing?
5. Hamlet concludes his soliloquy with the lines, “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” What plan does Hamlet come up with at the conclusion of the soliloquy? How will this help Hamlet in his revenge?
6. Hamlet continually refers to himself with degrading terms. Does that reveal anything about his self perception?
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Hannah, Megan, Alissa
Act 3, Scene 1: "To be or not to be"
1. George Bernard Shaw said: “A lifetime of happiness! No man alive could bear it; it would be hell on earth.” Does it in fact demonstrate greater valor to terminate life prematurely, or to engage in the painful and confusing complications of a fully executed existence?
2. Is the extent of Hamlet’s dilemma whether “to live or not to live?” Or does it actually encompass a greater climactic culmination: the death of the soul, the death of innocence, the death of security?
3. Does Hamlet’s “conscience” act as a moral guide, or rather restrict him from duty to his father?
4. What images does Hamlet use to illustrate death? What to illustrate the bleakness of life?
5. What is Hamlet’s perception of the afterlife? What phrases exemplify this perception?
6. Does he appear to fear death, or simply recognize the limitations of human awareness and comprehension?
7. Is there a distinguishable transition in the direction of the soliloquy?
8. How does the passage reveal the progression of Hamlet’s emotions? Does he seem any closer to accomplishing his mission to avenge his father?
