Hamlet Act I

Scene 1 Setting: dark, dreary, cold Location: Guard platform at Elsinore Ghost has appeared two nights previously Appears this night also – Horatio is present and skeptical: “twill not appear”

The guards question why they are keeping watch – Young Fortinbras is trying to recapture land his father lost in battle with King Hamlet The Ghost appears again, but refuses to speak. Horatio asks: What can I do to ease your pain Have you come to help your country’s fate Do you have some unfinished business? They decide to tell Hamlet.

Scene 2 Setting: in the castle; bright and cheerful King and Queen celebrating their marriage – Mentions death of his brother Delight in funeral; dole in marriage He discusses the threat from Norway decides to send a letter to the old and feeble King to let him know his nephew his threatening Denmark

Claudius give Laertes permission to return to France Claudius asks Hamlet to stay in Denmark and not return to college in Wittenberg Gertrude comments that Hamlet is too depressed: “all that lives must die” “Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off” Claudius speaks to Hamlet in a condescending manner, questioning his manhood Hamlet: “Not so my Lord, I am too much in the sun”

Unmanly “Tis unmanly grief. It shows a will most incorrect to heaven.” Unschooled Peevish Unnatural “Think of us as a father” – You are next in line to the throne – Stay in Denmark – Your mother needs you

Hamlet agrees to stay Hamlet’s first soliloquy – Wishes he could die; against God’s law – The world is a rotting and gross place to him – Anger at his mother for marrying so quickly – “Frailty, thy name is woman.” – King Hamlet was like a god compared to Claudius – Married too quickly – Allowed herself to be seduced.

“sped with dexterity to incestuous sheets” “unrighteous tears” “galled eyes” Horatio and Barnado enter and tell him of ghost Horatio says he came to see King Hamlet’s funeral Hamlet: you mean my mother’s marriag The funeral meats were served at the wedding.

Describe their meeting with the ghost and Hamlet vows to meet them that night between 11 and 12

Scene 3 Before leaving for France, Laertes gives advice to his sister, Ophelia. Be careful with Hamlet; he can’t marry just anyone, since he will become the King You may wind up losing your “virtue” Ophelia: practice what you preach brother “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep / As watchman to my heart. But,…/Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, / show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,…”

Polonius to Ophelia You’ve been spending too much time with Hamlet Tender yourself more dearly; have more respect Hamlet walks with a longer tether Think yourself a baby; you’re a green girl “Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby.” Ophelia is meek and obedient: I will obey I do not know what I should think You are no longer to see Hamlet

Polonius’ Advice to Laertes When in France: Don’t speak too freely Be friendly, not vulgar Keep your friends, don’t get too close to new people Listen, don’t talk much Dress well, the apparel oft proclaims the man Don’t borrow or lend money BUT to thy own self be true “This above all: to thy own self be true.” He is only concerned with himself

Scene 4 Setting: Watch platform; Hamlet joins the guards Comments on the excessive revelry of the court Other nations think we’re drunkards and swine The ghost enters and beckons Hamlet

Horatio and Marcellus beg him not to follow Marcellus: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” It may kill you or drive you insane Hamlet doesn’t care about his life (we know this from the soliloquy) “I do not set my life at a pin’s fee” He follows the ghost

Scene 5 The official story of the King’s death: bitten by a serpent in the garden True story: the snake wears the crown Claudius poured poison in King Hamlet’s ear as he slept He died with his sins on his soul: unable to make confession

Ghost tell Hamlet to get revenge – Taint not thy mind – Leave your mother to heaven and her guilty conscience – “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest.” Hamlet vows to get revenge. He tells Horatio and Marcellus what he’s seen and swears them to secrecy His plan: put an antic disposition on.