Hamlet Act 1 Scene 1 :Dramatic Purposes

1. Gives the setting and mood Denmark 600 A.D Royal castle: Elsinore Between midnight and 1:00 A.M. Mood of fear, uncertainty, tension Short choppy lines, questions Francisco is “sick at heart” (l.8).

2. Gives background information Elder Hamlet dead

He had fought old Fortinbras and won Old Hamlet took lands from Norway Prince Hamlet did not become king; his uncle Claudius did.

Young Fortinbras of Norway gathers together an army: potential threat!

3. Introduces Characters

Horatio, a scholar, skeptical about events His belief in knowledge and rational thought are shaken!

The Ghost: Troubled, angry Stalks about Conscience-ridden War-like Question: What is the ghost? A demon?

4. Introduces Themes: Revenge: Fortinbras seeks to revenge his father’s death and reclaim territory

b) Duty

c) Appearances: “Who’s there?” Who are we really dealing with?

d) Corruption of The world Disease imagery Francisco “sick at heart” A rotten world