Katie Brugman
Karen Farmer
Kelsey Vela
“Alas, poor Yorick”
1. What is Hamlet’s view on the physical aspects of death, and how does this shed light on his view of the spiritual aspects of death?
2. Does Hamlet see death as something that degenerates or equalizes?
3. Why does the discovery of Yorick’s skull have such a profound impact on Hamlet?
4. What is Hamlet questioning when he asks, “Where be your gibes…. Quite chapfall’n?”
5. What in Hamlet’s life has decayed as Yorick has?
6. What significance did Yorick hold for Hamlet when he was alive? What does he symbolize in death?
__________________________
Brittany Banis
Allison Ficht
Sarah Profumo
Hamlet Seminar Questions
“How all occasions do inform against me. . .”
1. How has the example of Fortibras had an effect on Hamlet in this soliloquy? Does Hamlet want to be like Fortinbras?
2. Is Fortinbras a good example for Hamlet? Who is more cowardly?
3. In lines 35-37, Hamlet says, “What is a man if his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.” What makes a person a human and not a beast?
4. Hamlet’s closing words are “O, from this time forth my thoughts be bloody or nothing worth!” What is their significance?
5. Does this soliloquy mark a change in Hamlet? If so, how has he changed?
_______________________
Kimberly Wall
Liz Banks
Kelsey McCullough
Hamlet
Scene III Act iii "Now I might do it…"
1) Why does Hamlet decide not to kill Claudius?
2) When does Hamlet say he’ll kill Claudius instead?
3) At this point what drives Hamlet? How much has it changed him, his actions, and his thoughts?
4) Does Hamlet still seem sane in this soliloquy?
5) What is ironic (in connection to previous soliloquies) about Hamlet’s decision regarding killing Claudius?
___________________________
Kati Farina & Tess Niedermeyer
“To Be Or Not To Be” Soliloquy
What connection is Hamlet making to sleep and death? What is it that fears him about this? (Lines 72-76)
In line 80 Hamlet speaks about “the pangs of despised love.” Is he making this reference due to his admiration specifically for Ophelia or all women?
How is Hamlet’s weakness as a character reflected through this soliloquy?
Is Hamlet actually considering killing himself or is this an over-dramatic internal contemplation?
In your eyes is it a nobler act to take one’s life or to carry on living a miserable and dreadful existence?
Extra Credit
For those in philosophy, how does Hamlet’s view of death compare or contrast to Socrates’ view of death in his Phaedo Apology before he is sentenced to death?
__________________________
Alyssa Banks
Kaitlin Larson
Stephanie Watanasutisas
AP English Block A
Hamlet Seminar Questions
“Now I might do it…”
1. What rationale does Hamlet give for not killing his uncle?
2. Is Hamlet’s motive valid or do you feel that Hamlet has an ulterior reason?
3. What plan does Hamlet make concerning the eventual murder of his uncle? How does Hamlet think he is ensuring the fate of his uncle’s soul?
4. Is Hamlet’s reasoning consistent with his character?
5. What conclusion does Hamlet make concerning his father’s after-life situation?
______________________________
Megan, Evelyn, and Brianna
Claudius: "O, my offence is rank…"
1.) What is the "primal eldest curse" Claudius refers to at the beginning of the
soliloquy? Does he refer to it later in the soliloquy?
Answer: Claudius is referring to Cain's murder of Abel, and the first curse
which was the result of this murder. The theme of the Bible, Heaven, prayer, and
forgiveness continues throughout the soliloquy as Claudius wonders what
punishment would be fit for him.
2.) What is the "twofold force" in prayer that Claudius speaks of?
Answer: Claudius says that prayer has two forces: to be prevented from being led into temptation, and to be forgiven of the sins that we commit. Claudius is
wondering which of the two will help him, since forgiveness seems to be
impossible as he got away with the murder and retains the “effects of the murder” (Gertrude, his ambition, and his crown).
3.) How does Claudius’ dilemma of whether or not to
confess parallel Hamlet’s question of to be or not to
be? Take account for my actions now or later (in heaven)
4.) What does Claudius say that refutes Hamlet’s excuse
for not killing him in the next speech? He says
repentance wont save him, praying wont save him.
Really sure of his murder?
5.) Does Claudius truly feel that “all may be well’? (based on his
concerns in this speech)
6.) Claudius says, " Pray can I not,/ Though inclination be as sharp as will"
(line 42). What is he saying, and what does it say about his
personality/personal regard?
Answer: Claudius is saying that he wants to pray but cannot, he says that his
guilt is too strong. Claudius seems to be trying to act humble, but one cannot
help to question his humbleness, he may be too proud to pray.
Seminar Questions: 1st Group
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?
_____________________________________
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?
_______________________
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?
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?
_____________________________________
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?
_______________________
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?
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