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Search all of SparkNotes
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Suggestions
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A Tale of Two Cities
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Lord of the Flies
Macbeth
To Kill a Mockingbird
Shakespeare
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No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
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No Fear Literature Translations
Literature Study Guides
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Write Literary Analysis
Other Subjects
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Biography
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Drama
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History
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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
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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
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Hamlet
Ophelia
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Gertrude
Claudius
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Yorick’s Skull
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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
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Historical Context Essay
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Quick Quizzes
Act 3, scene 3 Quiz
Quick Quizzes
Act 3, scene 3 Quiz
1
of 5
What does Claudius want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do with Hamlet?
Kill him
Find out what's wrong
Take him to England
Help him win back Ophelia
2
of 5
Who plans to spy on Gertrude and Hamlet?
Claudius
Horatio
Ophelia
Polonius
3
of 5
What does Claudius feel guilty for?
Killing his brother
Marrying the queen
Sending Hamlet away
Running out of the play
4
of 5
Why does Hamlet refrain from killing Claudius when he has the opportunity to?
He does not want to be king
Claudius is still his uncle
Claudius is praying
He does not want to hurt his mother
5
of 5
When does Hamlet plan to kill Claudius?
When Claudius is sleeping
When there is a diversion
When his mother is away
When Claudius behaves badly
Previous section
Act 3, scene 2 Quick Quiz
Next section
Act 3, scene 4 Quick Quiz
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