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Search all of SparkNotes
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Suggestions
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A Christmas Carol
Fahrenheit 451
Jane Eyre
Macbeth
The Crucible
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
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US Government and Politics
Teacher
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Teacher's Handbook
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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
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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
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Historical Context Essay
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What Does the Ending Mean?
Further Study
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Related Links
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Quick Quizzes
Act 4, scenes 1-2 Quiz
Quick Quizzes
Act 4, scenes 1-2 Quiz
1
of 5
Whom does Gertrude rush to see after Polonius is killed?
Claudius
Hamlet
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Ophelia
2
of 5
What does Gertrude compare herself to?
A wilting flower
A bruised fruit
The violent ocean
A hurt child
3
of 5
What is Claudius's main concern?
Gertrude's emotional state
Hamlet's sanity
His own conscience
Keeping his power
4
of 5
What does Hamlet accuse Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of?
Not caring about him
Being spies for Claudius
Courting Ophelia
Revealing his secrets
5
of 5
What does Hamlet allow Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do?
Explain their allegiances to Claudius
Leave Denmark
Accompany him back to Claudius
Kill him
Previous section
Act 3, scene 4 Quick Quiz
Next section
Act 4, scenes 3-4 Quick Quiz
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