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Literature
Other Subjects
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Hamlet
William Shakespeare
Study Guide
NO FEAR
Translation
Summary
Plot Overview
Key Questions and Answers
What Does the Ending Mean?
Summary & Analysis
Act I, scene i
Act I, scene ii
Act I, scenes iii–iv
Act I, scene v–Act II, scene i
Act II, scene ii
Act III, scene i
Act III, scene ii
Act III, scene iii
Act III, scene iv
Act IV, scenes i–ii
Act IV, scenes iii–iv
Act IV, scenes v–vi
Act IV, scene vii
Act V, scene i
Act V, scene ii
Video Plot Summary
Characters
Character List
Hamlet
Claudius
Gertrude
Ophelia
Polonius
Main Ideas
Themes
Plot Analysis
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Motifs
Symbols
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Key Facts
Is Hamlet really mad?
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
Madness
Performance
Decomposition and Decay
Doubt
Misogyny
Plotting, spying, and stratagems
Quotes By Section
Act I, scene i
Act I, scene ii
Act I, scenes iii – iv
Act I, scene v – Act II, scene i
Act II, scene ii
Act III, scene i
Act III, scene ii
Act III, scene iii
Act III, scene iv
Act IV, scenes i – ii
Act IV, scenes iii – iv
Act IV, scenes v – vi
Act IV, scene vii
Act V, scene i
Act V, scene ii
Quotes By Character
Hamlet
Ophelia
Polonius
Gertrude
Claudius
Further Study
Context
Queen Elizabeth’s decline
Revenge tragedy
Movie Adaptations
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Act 1, scene 1
Act 1, scene 2
Act 1, scenes 3-4
Act 1, scene 5-Act 2, scene 1
Act 2, scene 2
Act 3, scene 1
Act 3, scene 2
Act 3, scene 3
Act 3, scene 4
Act 4, scenes 1-2
Act 4, scenes 3-4
Act 4, scenes 5-6
Act 4, scene 7
Act 5, scene 1
Act 5, scene 2
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Companion Texts
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
How to Cite This SparkNote
Further study
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
1
of 5
What words best describe Hamlet’s character throughout the play?
Mysterious, thoughtful, morose
Brave, sociable, fun
Easy-going, smooth, charismatic
Sensual, caring, effeminate
2
of 5
What is Claudius’s most powerful weapon?
His money
His sex appeal
His way with words
His aggressiveness
3
of 5
Why is Hamlet sometimes considered to be a play about inaction?
Because Hamlet never hesitates when it comes to acting against Claudius
Because Hamlet spends the play trying to figure out if the ghost is real
Because Hamlet needs to know Claudius is guilty before acting
Because Gertrude and Ophelia are passive and inactive heroines
4
of 5
How does Claudius respond to Hamlet’s insanity?
By turning to Gertrude for comfort
By focusing on himself and his own well-being
By throwing lavish parties
By turning to religion
5
of 5
What is Gertrude never able to do?
Express her love
Be reflective about her circumstances
Be powerful
Be sexual
Previous section
Character List Quick Quiz
Next section
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Quick Quiz
Hamlet: Popular pages
NO FEAR
No Fear Hamlet
CHARACTERS
Character List
MAIN IDEAS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Is Hamlet really mad?
QUOTES
Quotes by Theme
MAIN IDEAS
Themes
FURTHER STUDY
Review Quiz
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