Dysfunctional Family Drama



Act 1 Scene 1 – “The Set-Up”

1. What do we learn? Give the most essential facts that set up the play.

2. Characterize Horatio.

3. What is the mood of this scene? Give details from the text to support your answer.



1.2 – “The King’s Speech”

1. Give the facts of what we learn from the King (1.2.1-38). What about Hamlet? What about his position as King?

2. How does this establish the characterization of Claudius early on?

1.2 – “The Prince’s Speech”

1. See Hamlet’s first soliloquy (1.1.133). What attitude does he take towards his family and situation?

2. Characterize Hamlet in this soliloquy.

1.2 – Family Conflicts!

Consider the Hamlet/Gertrude/Claudius family of 1.2.1-132.

1. What do we learn about this family’s past?

2. Characterize Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius. Give examples of direct and indirect characterization.

3. How does this family operate when in private? When in public?

1.3 – More Dysfunctional Family Drama!

Laertes – Ophelia = 1.3.1-55

Polonius – Laertes = 1.3.60-95

Polonius – Ophelia = 1.3.95-145

1. What do these conversations tell us about the characters?

2. How are power dynamics and relationships revealed through language?

Compare to the Hamlet/Gertrude/Claudius family of 1.2.1-132.

How do the families operate when in private? When in public?

1.4 – Boo! (not Serang)

1. What does Hamlet and Horatio’s conversation reveal about their relationship?

2. How do the characters approach the ghost in this scene? Why is this important?

1.5 Ghost and Hamlet Are Friends (kinda)!

1. Describe the conversation between Hamlet and the Ghost. What essential facts do we learn? (1.5.1-115)

2. How does this scene enhance our characterization of young Hamlet?

3. Describe Hamlet and Horatio’s conversation.

4. Give the Pros and Cons for Hamlet as he considers whether to complete his father’s request. What would you do?

5. Predict what Hamlet’s next moves will be based on what happened in this act.

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