Paraphrasing & Quotation Commentary Theme/Motif

Act 1 Scene 1

Have you had a quiet guard? - Ironic- ghost is stirring Ghost

Not a mouse stirring. (I, i, 10) - In media res- starts in the middle of a
situation

Stay! speak! speak! I charge - Anaphora reinforces the message- speak to Speak
thee, speak! the ghost

Let us impart what we have - Dramatic- first mention of Ghost

seen tonight / Unto young - Hamlet and his conflict with his ghostly dead
Hamlet; for, upon my life, / This father
spirit, dumb to us, will speak to
him.

Staging: Dark, foggy, in a platform before the castle

Elsinore.
Summary: Barnardo, Francisco, and Marcellus are guarding the castle Elsinore. Horatio is with them
because he is a student and knows latin, which is the language of ghosts. There have been disturbances
on the platform with the ghost of the former King of Denmark haunting the castle. There have been
preparations in Denmark for war because of a suspected attack from Norway looming ahead. The former
King killed the former king of Norway and took his land, and now the new King (Fortinbras) wants the land
back.

Act 1 Scene 2

Yet so far hath discretion fought - The King knew it was wrong, but married his Incest
with nature brothers wife anyway

We have writ / To Norway, - Writes to uncle instead of son of Fortinbras Incest

uncle of young Fortinbras, / to stop the son
Who, impotent and bedrid, - Foil for Hamlet
scarcely hears / Of this his
nephews purpose

With mirth in funeral and with - Funeral was happy, marriage was disgusting
dirth in marriage - Reveals that the king is not true in his
intentions

A little more than kin and less Hamlet is disgusted by his uncle/father
than kind

Seems, madam? The queen asks Hamlet why he seems sad- Cloaked in
goes on to explain that he is suffering from emotion vs feeling
sadness emotion
 Or that the Everlasting had not This situation is so terrible that he would kill Death and sin
fixed / His canon gainst himself if it was not a sin
self-slaughter! (I.ii.135).

Staging: A room of state in the castle- proper and

uncomfortable
Summary: The king is happy that his brother is dead so he can reign as king. The king wrote a letter to
the uncle of norway, despite the son who is supposed to be in charge. The queen and king tell Hamlet
there is no reason to be sad about his fathers death, and want him to stay at home. Hamlet talks a
soliloquy about how his mother and father had a beautiful relationship and his uncle is a downgrade.
Horatio and the guards told Hamlet about his father. Hamlet request that they keep watch again and keep
it a secret.

Act 1 Scene 3

Or lose your heart or your Laertes tells Ophelia not to have sex with Love
chaste treasure open / To his Hamlet- he may love her now, but he may not
unmastered importunity. in the future and he is not the king

To thine own self be true Polonius tells his son how to live his life, then
tells him to be true to himself

I would not, in plain terms, from Polonius prohibits Ophelia to spend time with Love
this time forth / Have you Hamlet Restriction
slander any moment leisure / As Tries to control Ophelias life
to give words or talk with the
Lord Hamlet.

Staging: Poloniuss house

Summary: Ophelias brother and father tell her to abstain from losing her virginity to Hamlet, and
eventually tell her to stop seeing Hamlet.

Act 1 Scene 4

Staging: Platform before the castle

Summary: The ghost King beckons Hamlet to come with him. Horatio and Marcellus dont want him to go
because the ghost could drive him to insanity or make him kill himself.

Act 1 Scene 5

The serpent that did sting thy The uncle killed the father Incest
fathers life / Now wears his
crown.
 Cut off, even in the blossoms of The King was not able to ask for forgiveness Sin
my sin / Unhouseled, for his sins before he died- in purgatory Hell
disappointed, unaneled, / No Revenge
reckning made, but sent to my
account / With all my
imperfections on my head.
(I.v.83).

As I perchance hereafter shall Hamlet is going to act crazy so his uncle does Insanity
think meet / To put an antic not view him as a threat so he can find
disposition on (I.v.191). information out from his

Staging: Platform before the castle

Summary: The King tells Hamlet that the uncle killed him, and asks for Hamlet to avenge his death so
that he may leave purgatory and go to heaven. He tells Hamlet to stay away from his mother- he believes
she is innocent.
Hamlets sanity
1. He says he will act crazy, and the whole play he is acting intentionally and pretending to be crazy
2. He starts out acting crazy, but eventually he becomes crazy
3. He has been crazy since the beginning of the play
Hamlet and the ghost make Horatio and Marcellus swear to secrecy

Act 2 Scene 1

Your bait of falsehood take this - Make up rumors to find the truth Seems
carp of truth - Rumors will ruin reputation

He raised a sigh so piteous and - Hamlet seems broken by Ophelias silence to

profound / As it did seem to his affections
shatter all his bulk. - Could also be broken by his father

I am sorry that with better heed Polonius realizes his mistake of judging the
and judgement / I had not coted situation and banning Ophelia from seeing
him. I feared he did but trifle / Hamlet
And meant to wrack thee.

Staging: Poloniuss room

Summary: Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. He suggests that he spreads rumors to find out
the truth, which has the potential the ruin Laertes reputation. Ophelia tells her father that Hamlet seems
broken by her ignoring Hamlet. Polonius realized his mistake.

Act 2 Scene 2

Doubt that truth be a liar, / But Hamlet wrote a note to Ophelia telling her that Love
never doubt I love. he was going to be crazy, but no matter what,
he still loves her.
 I know a hawk from a handsaw Hamlet seems crazy most days, but other Seems
days he knows whats going on.

Could force his soul so to his In his soliloquy, Hamlet talks about the mask Seems
own conceit he puts up to everyone (conceit), despite the
emotions hes drowning in

The very faculties of eyes and - Motif- what people observe Eyes and Ears
ears. - not mouth- not talking

That guilty creatures sitting at a Mimesis- people who are guilty will react to the
play / ... Been struck so to the play
soul that presently / They have
proclaimed their malefactions.

The plays the thing / Wherein Couplet

Ill catch the conscience of the Hamlet plans to perform a play that mirrors the
King. murder of his father by his uncle. Through
mimesis, Hamlet will watch his uncle watch
the play in hopes that he reacts.

Staging: Room in the castle

Summary: Fortinbras claimed they would go through Denmark to attack Poland, but were actually going
to attack Denmark. The Uncle of Fortinbras talked to his nephew and told him never to do it again.
Fortinbras apologized, but then again asked to invade Poland through Denmark. The uncle sent a
message to King Claudius and asked for his army to go through Denmark, which he agreed to. Polonius
took the note Hamlet wrote to Ophelia and shared it with the King and Queen. Polonius talks to Hamlet,
who acts crazy. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to visit Hamlet because his mother and uncle asked
them to spy on him. Players come, and Hamlet shows that he can act, leading readers to believe that he
is actually acting crazy. Player 1 acts and moves himself to tears. Polonius thinks its odd, but Hamlet
relates to the overflowing emotion of the story Player 1 performed (a wife lost her husband).

Act 3 Scene 1

The harlots cheek beautied The King admits that he is wearing a mask seems
with plastring art and has much to hide

To be or not to be- that is the To live or to die

question

Are you honest? Doubts Ophelias honesty truth

It shall be so. / Madness in Couplet

great ones must not unwatched The King will find whats wrong with Hamlet or
go. give him leave to England.

Staging: Castle hall

Summary: Polonius and the King tell Ophelia to wait for Hamlet and see if his insanity is a result of his
love for Ophelia. Hamlet talks about living or dying. Ophelia and Hamlet break up, and he realizes that the
King and Polonius are listening.

Act 3 Scene 2

My wits diseased Hamlet claims he can not answer because he

is crazy

Staging: Play
Summary: The play is acted out that the nephew kills the king- the king is triggered. Hamlet knows that
the King kill his father. Hamlet plans to talk to his mother and make her feel guilty.

Act 3 Scene 3

My words fly up, my thoughts Hamlet is going to kill his uncle, but chooses Seems
remain below; / Words without not to because he is repenting his sins. In this
thought never to heaven go. quote, the King says that although he is trying
to pray, he cant because he doesnt feel bad.

Staging: Church
Summary: The King is feeling very guilty. He goes to confession. Hamlet is going to kill his uncle, but
chooses not to because he is repenting his sins. In this quote, the King says that although he is trying to
pray, he cant because he doesnt feel bad. He still has his sins.

Act 3 Scene 4

Eyes without feeling, feeling Hamlet believes the Queen does not truly love Eyes
without sight, / Ears without his uncle.
hands or eyes Synthesia

Thou turnst my eyes into my Hamlet makes the Queen face her guilt Eyes
very soul / And there I see such
black and grained spots

My pulse as yours doth Hamlet tells the Queen that he is only acting
temperately keep time / And crazy.
makes as healthful music.

Staging: Queens closet

Summary: Hamlet goes to see his mother and make him feel guilty, but hears Polonius and thinks its the
King and kills him. Hamlet yells at the Queen and makes her confront the evil that shes done. The Kings
ghost appears and tells Hamlet not to harm his mother. Hamlet tells his mother that he is not crazy.
 Act 4 Scene 1 & 2

He weeps for what is done The Queen defends Hamlet killing Polonius

When he needs what you have The King is using Rosencrantz, and when he
gleaned, it is but squeezing you, is done using him, he will ring him dry.
and, sponger, you shall be dry
again.

Staging: Room in castle

Summary: The Queen defends Hamlets actions to the King to kill Polonius and says its an accident.
Hamlet tells Rosencrantz that the King is using him.

Act 4 Scene 3

Nothing but to show you how a The king is nothing more than a maggot in a Angsty Hamlet
king may go a progress through beggar- straight fire. hates his Dad
the guts of a beggar.

Till I know tis done, Howeer The King will not rest until Hamlet is dead.
my haps, my joys were neer
begun.

Staging: Room in castle

Summary: The King plans to send Hamlet to England and then assassinate him there to eliminate him as
a threat.

Act 4 Scene 4

How stand I, then, / That have Hamlet is inspired to do something about his
a mother stained, / Excitements uncle
of my reason and my blood, /
And let all sleep.

My thoughts be bloody or be Hamlet promises to take action.

nothing worth!

Staging: Outside
Summary: Hamlet sees Fortinbras and finds he is going to invade Poland; he is inspired to do something.

Act 4 Scene 5

Then up he rose and donned his Ophelias saw her father dead and is now
clothes / And dupped the crazy. Now she sings sad songs about being
chamber door / Let in the maid, left by a man (Hamlet).
that out the maid / Never
 departed more.

Staging: Outside
Summary: Ophelia is crazy. Laertes comes to kill the king because he thinks he killed his father. The
King tells Laertes that he will tell him his case, and he can decide whether or not he is guilty.

Act 4 Scene 6

Staging: Outside
Summary: Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet that says pirates attacked his ship for england, took Hamlet
prisoner, and are bringing him home. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are still on their way to England.

Act 4 Scene 7

To cut his throat i th church. Laertes wants revenge on Hamlet

Ironic because his sins could be cleansed in
the church

A chalice for the nonce,
whereon but sipping, / If he by
chance escape your venomed
stuck, / Our purpose may hold
there.
Laertes and the King come up with a plan to
kill Hamlet by stabbing him with a poisoned
fencing sword. If that doesnt work, they were
raise a toast to Hamlets victory, but Hamlets
cup will be poisoned.

Too much of water hast thou, - Laertes was told that Ophelia died by Water
poor Ophelia, / And therefore drowning- forbid his tears to spare her water
forbid my tears. - Drowning was overemphasized. Could be
suicide

Staging: Room in the castle

Summary: The King gets Hamlets letter. Laertes wants revenge on Hamlet. The Queen tells Laertes that
Ophelia has drowned.

Act 5 Scene 1

Why may not that be the skull TRAGIC IRONY

of a lawyer? / Where be his Hamlet is faced with the skulls of the dead. He
quiddits now, his quillets, his is faced with what he has been afraid of and
cases, his tenures, / and his finally considers the significance of his life
tricks? after death.

Alexander died, / Alexander Everyone eventually turns to dirt, despite who Oblivion
was buried, Alexander returneth they were when they were alive
into dust; the dust is earth; of
earth we make loam; and why of
that loam (whereto he was
 converted) might they not stop a
beer barrel? (V.i.216).

Woo't drink up esill? eat a Hamlet wouldve done anything for Ophelia
crocodile? because of his love for her.

Staging: Churchyard
Summary: A gravedigger and a person argue whether Ophelia should be buried in the holy graveyard or
the damned graveyard. Hamlet and Horatio show up at the graveyard. Hamlet confronts death by holding
a skull and truly considering the significance of people after death. King, Queen, and Laertes are burying
Ophelia, and Hamlet sees. Hamlet and Laertes fight, and Hamlet claims that he loved Ophelia.

Act 5 Scene 2

That I have shot my arrow oer Metaphor

the house / And hurt my brother Accidentally hurt Polonius

I am justly killed with mine own Irony- Laertes killed himself

treachery.

The King, the Kings to blame. Laertes blames the King for everyones death

Absent thee from felicity awhile Hamlet calls Hamlet felicity- happiness
(V.ii.382).

Staging: Hall in the castle

Summary: Hamlet finds the letter that the King sent with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that says to kill
Hamlet, but Hamlet changes the letter to say that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were to die. Horatio
starts to question Hamlet actions with his recent rash actions. Hamlet meets Osric, who agrees with him
about everything, which shows who the King surrounds himself with. Laertes challenged Hamlet to
fencing. Laertes is a better fencer, so Hamlet has a head start. King poisoned Hamlets drink. Laertes
stabs Hamlet, Hamlet stabs Laertes. The Queen drinks the poisoned cup and dies. Laertes dies and
blames the King. Hamlet stabs the King and makes him drink the poisoned cup. The King dies and
Hamlet dies. Fortinbras comes and talks to Horatio, who tells him that knows everything of what
happened. Fortinbras becomes a better foil and becomes King of Denmark and will probably become
King of Norway. THE END :)