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Search all of SparkNotes
Search
Suggestions
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As You Like It
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Hamlet
Jane Eyre
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Shakespeare
white
No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
white
No Fear Literature Translations
Literature Study Guides
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Write Literary Analysis
Other Subjects
white
Biography
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Drama
Economics
Film
Health
History
Math
Philosophy
Physics
Poetry
Psychology
Short Stories
Sociology
US Government and Politics
Teacher
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SparkTeach
Teacher's Handbook
Blog
Help
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
Study Guide
NO FEAR
Translation
Graphic Novel
Memes
Infographic
Teaching Guide
Study Guide
NO FEAR
Translation
Graphic Novel
Memes
Infographic
Teaching Guide
Summary
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
Full Book
Full Book Summary
Full Book Analysis
Key Facts
Video Summary
Characters
Character List
Hamlet
Claudius
Gertrude
Ophelia
Polonius
Literary Devices
Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Metaphors and Similes
Questions & Answers
Is the Ghost real?
Did Hamlet and Ophelia have sex?
Did Gertrude have an affair with Claudius before he killed Hamlet’s father?
Who is Fortinbras?
Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius right away?
Why does Marcellus say, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (1.4.94)?
Was Hamlet really in love with Ophelia?
Why does Hamlet encourage the actor to recite the speech about Pyrrhus and Priam?
Does Hamlet consider suicide?
Why is Hamlet so cruel to Ophelia?
Why does Laertes break into Claudius’s chamber?
Why does Ophelia go mad?
Does Ophelia actually kill herself?
What is the significance of the gravediggers?
How does Hamlet’s view of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern change?
Quotes
Important Quotes Explained
By Theme
Madness
Performance
Decomposition and Decay
Doubt
Misogyny
Plotting, spying, and stratagems
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
By Character
Hamlet
Ophelia
Polonius
Gertrude
Claudius
By Symbol
Yorick’s Skull
By Setting
Denmark
Quick Quizzes
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Full Book Quiz
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
More
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Essays
Historical Context Essay
Literary Context Essay
Central Idea Essay
Mini Essays
Suggested Essay Topics
What Does the Ending Mean?
Further Study
Suggestions for Further Reading
Related Links
Movie Adaptations
Shakespeare and Hamlet Background
Quick Quizzes
Act 1, scene 1 Quiz
Quick Quizzes
Act 1, scene 1 Quiz
1
of 5
Who joins Bernardo, the watchman, on his watch of the castle?
Francisco and Horatio
Marcellus and Horatio
Prince Hamlet and Marcellus
Francisco and Prince Hamlet
2
of 5
What do Marcellus and Bernardo want to show Horatio?
Their wives
Prince Hamlet
A ghost
Other watchmen
3
of 5
What proves to Horatio that the ghost is that of King Hamlet?
His accent
His resemblance to Prince Hamlet
His armor
His story
4
of 5
How does Horatio explain the appearance of King Hamlet's ghost?
He says it's a warning sign.
He says it's a sign of peace.
He claims it's a sign of the King's wishes for his son.
He calls it a sign of the occult.
5
of 5
Who is Fortinbras?
Prince of Denmark
King of Denmark
King of Norway
Prince of Norway
Previous section
Full Book Quiz
Next section
Act 1, scene 2 Quick Quiz
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