Skills Booklet Prep 3 Second Semester Final
Skills Booklet Prep 3 Second Semester Final
Skills Booklet Prep 3 Second Semester Final
English department
I.L.
Skills builder
Second Term
2019-2020
Name:…………………………….
Class:……………………………..
Teacher:………………………….
Date : / / 2020
Classwork / homework
Table of Contents
Skills
Reading Writing
Prediction………... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Narrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Context clues . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . 7 Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Recognizing main idea Biography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Practice . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Hamlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
1-Reading
Read each statement and question. Then choose the best
answer.
cookies
4. On the way to pick up Dad, Tim
pies
asked, “What time does he land?”
can’t tell
How was Dad arriving?
2. Thousands stood up and
cheered when the ball went into
by train
the net.
by plane
can’t tell
What sport were they watching?
5. Denise looked at the grade on
hockey
her math test and grimaced.
basketball
can’t tell
What kind of grade did Denise get?
higher than
3. “Look,” said Tammy, “This
expected
little candy bar has 280
lower than expected
calories!”
can’t tell
Name:
• therefore __________________________________________
__________________________________________
• rather
__________________________________________
• the main point
__________________________________________
• however
__________________________________________
• in summary
• but
SIGNAL: A conclusion is coming!
__________________________________________
• hence
__________________________________________
• although
__________________________________________
• principally __________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
3 4
8 9
ACROSS
3. When accused, Sandy ____ taking the pencil. (denied / detailed)
5. A bat ____ on its hearing to navigate. (relieves / relies)
7. The sleeping cat was ____ by the loud noise. (startled / started)
8. The king put forth a ____ to the people. (degree / decree)
DOWN
1. The puppy ____ when she hurt her paw. (whispered / whimpered)
2. Lightning ____ the branch from the tree. (several / severed)
4. The boy’s size ____ in comparison to the giant’s. (paled / pulled)
6. The sailors ____ their gear in trunks. (stowe / stole)
9. The old man walked with a ____. (can / cane)
Sharpen your skills with words to increase your reading power.
Stars Language School Preparatory Three
English Department -7- Skills builder
Date : / / 2020
Classwork / homework
Words with multiple meanings can trip you up. Try your hand with
the ones below.
Stand
1. to place in a vertical
3. Please stand for the flag salute. #______
position
2. to stay in a specific
position or condition;
rank 4. Dad said his decision will stand. #______
3. an opinion
4. to stay in effect
5. to endure 5. What is your stand on the issue? #______
6. to undertake or
perform duty
Use context clues to figure out the meaning of the bold word. Write it
on the line.
Here are two chances to show your context clue power. Just
follow the directions.
A. When Noreen wanted the space adjacent to her sister Karen’s room for
her computer, Karen got agitated. An argument ensued. Dad had to be
called in to adjudicate the dispute. Karen finally acquiesced to Noreen’s
plan.
Find the word in the story that best matches each meaning:
3. annoyed: ________________________
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Find the word in the story that best matches each meaning:
5. impurities: ___________________________
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3 4
5 6
10 11
ACROSS
1. The boat began to keel over.
3. Grandpa cannot recollect how he got that scar.
5. The king lifted his chalice to toast the knights.
6. After working on his truck, Joe was covered in
grime.
8. She loathed having to clean the horses’ stalls.
10. These faux pearls look like the real thing!
11. The speaker’s joke evoked a big guffaw.
DOWN
1. The soldier stuck by his comrade.
2. Night came and the children fell into a deep HELP BOX
slumber. dirt grease
4. The officers hoisted the flag. fall sink
5. You seem to have no option but to go. army friend
7. We watched it metamorphose right before our remember collect
eyes. boards sleep
9. They began to converse in Spanish. urn cup
talk write
folded raised
loved hated
change die
white fake
way choice
laugh sigh
Read each text. Use context clues to help you complete the
statements.
B.
Beech is the name of a family of trees that grows in the
temperate regions of North America and Europe. It has papery
leaves and slender twigs. Its fruit, beechnuts, are edible. Its
wood is used for making furniture and for fuel.
Use context clues to figure out what the bold word means. Fill
in the correct bubble.
DiRead the story. Use context clues to figure out the possible
meanings of the words in bold. Then write them next to their
meanings below.
Today was the day Jamal had dreamed about for most of his 22 years. As he
stood in the tunnel waiting for the profound moment when he would first step
out on the field, he thought about how he had arrived at this point.
The summer had been hot and grueling. Not only did he endure the
exhaustion of pushing his body to the limits in team practices and his mind
into learning dozens of formations in the team’s playbook, but he also took the
razzing that veteran players dish out to rookies, and the anxiety of possibly
being cut from the team.
But, here he was. The first game of the regular season. Just moments ago he
had donned his pads and proudly put on his uniform. As the crowd noise
swelled, so did his heart. He had made it onto a professional football team.
e main idea
Read the story and underline the main idea. Then, answer the
questions YES or NO.
Samuel F. B. Morse
Samuel F. B. Morse is instantly
recognized as the inventor of Morse
Code—a widely used system of dots
and dashes transmitted over wire. His
device, the telegraph, eventually made
him wealthy and famous.
_____________________________ ____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
The word Pompeii brings to mind a picture of a city buried in volcanic ash
and the inhabitants caught frozen in time. But, when Mount Vesuvius
erupted in A.D. 79, engulfing the city of Pompeii, most of the people
escaped. It must have been a very frightening experience.
Though they did not have much time, many were able to carry off their
most valuable, moveable possessions to safety. Later, when the eruption
was over, some people tunneled back into buildings to remove even
more. The excavation of Pompeii is of immense importance, not for the
objects of value left behind, but for the incredible information it provides
about how the people of that time lived.
_______________________________________________________________
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2. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage: Instant
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5. Choose the sentence that best states the main idea of the paragraph:
a. The inhabitants of Pompeii were frightened.
b. Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79.
c. Some people escaped before the city was buried.
d. The excavation of Pompeii is of great historical importance.
e. Excavators were disappointed that few valuable objects were found.
A mile is a mile, or is it? Read this story to find out. Then answer
the questions.
_______________________________________________________________
2. If you walked a half mile, how many furlongs is that? How many feet?
_______________________________________________________________
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3. If a car went one mile per hour and a ship one knot, which covers more
distance?
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10. What is the difference between an air mile and a land mile?
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“But Mom...”
“We can’t just leave him in the street to fend for himself ! He’d die!”
There was silence and for a moment I thought the guilt angle was working. I waited.
“Here’s what we can do...make that what YOU can do. Call your Aunt Sylvia. She
lives alone and may enjoy the company of a pet, and I know that she can afford it.
But, if she doesn’t want to adopt this stray, get back on the phone and call
everyone you know who might be willing. Someone will take him. He can stay on
the porch until you find him a home.”
At this point I knew I had lost. So, I called Aunt Sylvia. I didn’t even have to use
the sympathy or the guilt play. She actually said she had been thinking about
getting a cat and would be happy to have it.
1. Choose the sentence that best summarizes the main idea of the story.
2. True or false? Denise’s mom did not care what happened to the stray.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. What two emotions did Denise try to illicit from her mom in order to get her
to change her mind about keeping the stray cat?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. Which of the following do you think Denise’s mom values most highly:
taking responsibility, pleasing others, or not wasting money?
________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
5. Copy the sentence that tells you whether or not Denise already had a pet.
________________________________________________________________
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2-Writing
A- Narrative writing
The definition of narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story
Narrative Elements
Types of NARRATORS:
Use the personal pronoun “you”. The writer speaks directly to the reader.
Conflict
What makes a book or movie exciting? What makes you want to keep
reading? Conflict.
Dialogue
1. Use quotation marks “ …. ”
2. Each speaker gets their own paragraph
3. Make sure the reader knows who is speaking.
4. Make sure you deliver the feelings of the characters
Types of narrative writing
1. Realistic fiction: could be real as Jane Eyre
2. Fiction: not real as Goldilocks and the three bears
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She went for a walk in
the forest. Pretty soon, she came upon a house. She knocked and, when no one
answered, she walked right in.
At the table in the kitchen, there were three bowls of porridge. Goldilocks was
hungry. She tasted the porridge from the first bowl.
"Ahhh, this porridge is just right," she said happily and she ate it all up.
After she'd eaten the three bears' breakfasts she decided she was feeling a little
tired. So, she walked into the living room where she saw three chairs. Goldilocks
sat in the first chair to rest her feet.
"Ah, this chair is just right," she sighed. But just as she settled down into the chair to
rest, it broke into pieces!
Goldilocks was very tired by this time, so she went upstairs to the bedroom. She lay
down in the first bed, but it was too hard. Then she lay in the second bed, but it was
too soft. Then she lay down in the third bed and it was just right. Goldilocks fell
asleep.
"Someone's been eating my porridge and they ate it all up!" cried the Baby bear.
"Someone's been sitting in my chair and they've broken it all to pieces," cried the
Baby bear.
They decided to look around some more and when they got upstairs to the bedroom,
Papa bear growled, "Someone's been sleeping in my bed,"
"Someone's been sleeping in my bed and she's still there!" exclaimed Baby bear.
Just then, Goldilocks woke up and saw the three bears. She screamed, "Help!" And
she jumped up and ran out of the room. Goldilocks ran down the stairs, opened the
door, and ran away into the forest. And she never returned to the home of the three
bears.
B- Review
Review = give information and opinion about something you have
experienced such as : a book you have read or a movie you have
seen.
Why ?? to help the reader decide whether to buy the book or see
the movie.
try to catch the reader's attention in the first paragraph.
remember to support your arguments with examples.
remember to give your recommendation in the last paragraph.
Plan
1-Introduction
Introduce what you are reviewing.
Expressions : If you like ….. / ……. Is worth a try
2-Main Paragraphs
Describe the aspects and features and give further details in the
paragraph
Expressions : What I liked most was .... / The thing I liked most was
... / The highlight for me was ....
3-Conclusion
Summarise your points and give your recommendation.
C- Biograhy
Mark Player is the author of the critically-acclaimed novel, “Tools for Life.” He was
born on the 5th of August, 1997 and currently lives in New York although he lived in
Salt Lake City, Utah as a child.
Being the only child, he was lonely without any siblings to keep him company. He
gives credit to his family of instilling in him certain values that have served him well
throughout his life. His parents say that he always displayed a maturity beyond his
years and loved nothing more than sitting with his nose buried in a book.
As a dedicated reader, academic success wasn’t difficult for John, and he was a star
student throughout his school years, graduating as class valedictorian. He was the
editor of his school newspaper and actively involved in a number of other extra-
curricular activities.
John enrolled in the University of Utah for a Bachelor’s Degree in History and
English, and it wasn’t long before he became editor of the college magazine. He
also began writing various pieces he submitted to online magazines, and when they
were accepted, it gave him such a thrill he realized that he wanted to spend the rest
of his life writing. He loved the idea that he was able to take readers and transport
them to a different time and place.
After his degree, John began teaching as he was still not making enough money
from his writing. He loved teaching, but he never gave up his desire to write and
continued to submit short stories and articles to magazines.
He decided to finally pursue a master’s degree in creative writing that he credits with
the success of “Tools for Life.” This novel catapulted him in the limelight.
Furthermore, he drew attention from some of the novelists he had always looked up
for.
The book took two years to finish, and he started it while he was doing his MA. He
was writing a completely different novel that seemed to be going nowhere when his
tutor suggested he write a short story.
He found this ironic as this is what he had been doing already, but he dutifully
abandoned his long novel and began writing another short story. He received so
much encouragement and positive feedback from his tutor and other students that
he found that he couldn’t stop writing.
The flow of words seemed effortless, and before he knew it, it had grown beyond a
short story, and he had a novel on his hands.
John’s novel went on to win the Whitbread First Novel Award which made him
understandably excited. He has another novel scheduled for publication in the
coming year. He has turned to crime fiction for his latest offering.
He is hoping that it will enjoy as much success as his previous novel, although it
is in a completely different genre. He assures fans of his first novel that it has the
plot intricacy and intriguing characters they loved in his first novel.
As a young child, Julia Gonzalez watched her older siblings going to school, wishing
she too could go. Her aunt Elizabeth was a teacher, and Julia enjoyed sitting with
her when she graded papers or prepared her lesson.
When she started attending school, Miss Gonzalez found her drawn to her first
teacher, Ms. Edwards. She liked to help her teacher before and after school by
tidying up and cleaning the classroom. One day, Ms. Edwards put her star pupil in
charge of assisting a group of her peers with a reading activity.
Miss Gonzalez knew right then that she would one day become a teacher. From that
day forward, she would spend whatever free time she had taught her stuffed animals
the things she had learned at school each day.
She would be the first member of her family to attend college, and they were very
proud of her. Her time at college was well-spent, as she studied to become a high
school Math teacher. She showed great promise as a mathematician. However, her
passion lay with sharing Math with others and making it fun to learn.
Ms. Gonzalez worked part-time to cover her additional study expenses. Despite the
challenges of balancing her studies and work, she found the time to volunteer at a
youth center where she helped students with their Math homework.
After graduating with honors in 2011, Ms. Gonzalez sought employment at Edgar F.
Allen High, a school in an impoverished inner-city area of Chicago. Here she would
spend the first years of her teaching career demystifying Math and making it
something her students looked forward to learning.
She has realized, with experience that the biggest obstacle to learning Math is the
mental block some students have when it comes to the subject. However, with her
encouragement, several students who had been written off by previous Math
teachers have distinguished themselves in the subject.
Hamlet
Character List
Hamlet
- The Prince of Denmark, the title character, and the protagonist. About thirty years
old at the start of the play, Hamlet is the son of Queen Gertrude and the late King
Hamlet, and the nephew of the present king, Claudius. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter,
and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle’s scheming and disgust for his mother’s
sexuality. A reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of
Wittenberg, Hamlet is often indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash
and impulsive acts.
Claudius
- The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle, and the play’s antagonist. The villain of the
play, Claudius is a calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites
and his lust for power, but he occasionally shows signs of guilt and human feeling—
his love for Gertrude, for instance, seems sincere.
Queen Gertrude
Polonius
Horatio
- Hamlet’s close friend, who studied with the prince at the university in Wittenberg.
Horatio is loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet’s death,
Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet’s story.
Ophelia
- Polonius’s daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in
love. Ophelia is a sweet and innocent young girl, who obeys her father and her
brother, Laertes. Dependent on men to tell her how to behave, she gives in to
Polonius’s schemes to spy on Hamlet. Even in her lapse into madness and death,
she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers and finally drowning in the river
amid the flower garlands she had gathered.
Laertes
- Polonius’s son and Ophelia’s brother, a young man who spends much of the play
in France. Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil for the
reflective Hamlet.
Fortinbras
- The young Prince of Norway, whose father the king (also named Fortinbras) was
killed by Hamlet’s father (also named Hamlet). Now Fortinbras wishes to attack
Denmark to avenge his father’s honor, making him another foil for Prince Hamlet.
The Ghost
- The specter of Hamlet’s recently deceased father. The ghost, who claims to have
been murdered by Claudius, calls upon Hamlet to avenge him. However, it is not
entirely certain whether the ghost is what it appears to be, or whether it is something
else. Hamlet speculates that the ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him
and tempt him into murder, and the question of what the ghost is or where it comes
from is never definitively resolved.
Stars Language School Preparatory Three
English Department - 41 - Skills builder
Date : / / 2020
Classwork / homework
- Two slightly bumbling courtiers, former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who
are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet’s strange
behavior.
Osric
- The foolish courtier who summons Hamlet to his duel with Laertes.
- The officers who first see the ghost walking the ramparts of Elsinore and who
summon Horatio to witness it. Marcellus is present when Hamlet first encounters the
ghost.
Francisco
Reynaldo
Soon after the ghost’s disappearance, Marcellus asks the other two why there has
been such a massive mobilization of Danish war forces recently. Horatio answers,
saying that the Danish army is preparing for a possible invasion by Fortinbras,
Prince of Norway. We learn that Fortinbras’ father (also named Fortinbras), was
killed many years before in single combat with Old Hamlet, the now-deceased king
whose ghost we have just seen. Now that Old Hamlet has died, presumably
weakening the Danes, there is a rumor that Fortinbras plans to invade Denmark and
claim that lands that were forfeit after his father’s death.
After Horatio has finished explaining this political back story, the ghost of Old Hamlet
appears once more. This time Horatio does try to speak to the ghost . A rooster
crows just as the ghost appears ready to reply to Horatio at last. This sound startles
the ghost away. Horatio decides to tell Prince Hamlet, Old Hamlet’s son, about the
apparition, and the others agree.
Questions:
1. “We must tell Hamlet we have seen his father.” Comment.
2. Why does Horatio now believe Bernardo and Marcellus? What does Horatio
notice about the
physical appearance of the ghost?
3. Why does Horatio think that this ghost is making an appearance?
Scene 2 (Summary)
This scene begins at the court of Claudius and Gertrude, the King and Queen of
Denmark. They have just been married. This marriage has followed quickly after the
death of the former King of Denmark, Old Hamlet, Claudius’ brother. Claudius
addresses the quickness of the marriage, representing himself as in mourning for a
lost brother even as he is joyful for a new wife, his one-time sister.
Finally, Claudius turns to Laertes, the son of his trusted counselor, Polonius. Laertes
expresses a wish to return to France and Claudius grants permission.
At this point, Prince Hamlet, who has been standing apart from the king’s audience
this whole time, speaks the first of his many lines. Claudius asks Hamlet why he is
still so gloomy. Hamlet’s replies that his grief upon losing his father still deeply
affects him. Claudius goes into a speech about the unnaturalness of prolonged grief;
to lose one’s father is painful but common, he says, and Hamlet should accept this
as nature’s course. He expresses a wish that Hamlet remain with them in Denmark
instead of returning to Wittenberg, where he is a student, and when Gertrude
seconds this wish, Hamlet agrees. The king, queen, and all their retinue then exit the
stage, leaving Hamlet alone.
In his first soliloquy, Hamlet expresses the depths of his melancholy and his disgust
at his mother’s marrying Claudius after the death of his father. He declares his father
to be many times Claudius’ superior as a man. After this soliloquy, Horatio enters.
Horatio tells Hamlet that he has seen his dead father recently – the night before.
Hamlet asks him to explain, and Horatio tells the story of the appearance of the
ghost. Hamlet decides to attend the watch that very night in hopes of seeing the
ghost himself.
Questions
1. “Your mother is my wife – you are my son.” Comment.
2. “How could she marry her dead husband’s brother?” Comment.
3. Who is now married to King Hamlet’s wife? In a well-developed paragraph,
explain whether or not you believe he is truly in love with Gertrude or why you
believe he married her.
Scene 3 (Summary)
As the scene opens, Laertes is taking his leave of his sister, Ophelia. In the course
of their farewells, Laertes advises her about her relationship with Hamlet, with whom
she has been spending much of her time lately. He tells her to forget him because
he, as Prince of Denmark, is too much to hope for as a husband. He adds that she
should vigilantly guard her chastity, her most prized treasure as a woman. Ophelia
agrees to attend to his lesson. As Laertes is about to leave, his father, Polonius,
arrives. Polonius gives Laertes a blessing and a battery of advice before sending his
son on his way.
With Laertes gone, Polonius asks Ophelia what they had been talking about as he
arrived. Ophelia confesses that they had been talking about her relationship with
Hamlet. She tells Polonius that Hamlet has made many honorable declarations of
love to her. Polonius pooh-poohs these declarations, saying, much as Laertes did,
that Hamlet wants nothing more than to assail her chastity and then leave her. He
makes his daughter promise that she will spend no more time alone with Hamlet.
Ophelia says that she will obey.
Questions:
1. “Great princes are not free to love like other men. They cannot choose their
wives- They are chosen for them.” Comment.
2. Summarize the advice that Laertes is giving his sister Ophelia about Hamlet.
Scene 4 (summary)
At the night watch, Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus await the reappearance of the
ghost. They hear cannons from the castle and Hamlet tells them that this is a sign
that Claudius is drinking pledges. Hamlet goes on a short tirade against the Danish
custom of drinking heavily. His speech is no sooner over than the ghost appears
again. Hamlet immediately addresses the ghost, imploring it to speak. The ghost
beckons for Hamlet to come away, apart from the others. Horatio and Marcellus
attempt to keep Hamlet from following the ghost, warning him of the many evils that
might befall him. Hamlet doesn’t listen. He threatens to kill Horatio or Marcellus if
they detain him, and when they stay back he follows the ghost offstage. Alone with
Hamlet, the ghost finally speaks.
The ghost then reveals that he was not killed by a viper, as officially announced, but
was murdered. Moreover, he reveals that his own brother, Claudius, who now wears
his crown and married his wife, was the murderer. The ghost tells of how Claudius
snuck into his garden while he was taking his accustomed afternoon nap and poured
poison into his ear, killing him most painfully and sending his soul into the afterlife.
The ghost demands vengeance, telling Hamlet not to plot against his mother, whom
he describes as merely weak and lustful, but to focus the whole of his revenge on
Claudius. The ghost then disappears.
Hamlet, overwhelmed and half-raving, swears that he will kill Claudius. After he has
made this vow, Horatio and Marcellus arrive. Hamlet does not tell them what the
ghost has revealed, but nevertheless insists that they swear not to speak of the
apparition to anyone. They agree. Hamlet then insists that they swear again on his
sword. They agree again, confused at these demands. The ghost of Old Hamlet,
meanwhile, can be heard under the stage, insisting along with his son that they
swear themselves to secrecy.
Hamlet leads his friends to several different points on stage, insisting that they swear
over and over again. He then reveals, parenthetically, that they might find his
behavior in the next while to be strange – he might pretend to be mad and act
otherwise unusually – but that they must still keep secret what they have seen. After
this final agreement, Hamlet leads the others offstage, uneasily determined to
revenge his father’s murder.
Questions
1. “Why have you risen from your grave to find me?” Comment.
2. “I am your father’s most unhappy ghost, who cannot rest until I have revenge! ”
Comment.
Polonius reasons, thus, that Hamlet’s madness is the result of Ophelia’s rejection.
He had thought that Hamlet was only trifling with her, but it turns out (he now
declares) that Hamlet was indeed deeply in love with Ophelia. Polonius hurries off to
tell Claudius and Gertrude that he has discovered the reason for their son’s odd
behavior.
Questions:
1. ”The king must hear of this. His son’s in love. Love has sent Hamlet mad and
that’s a problem.”Comment.
2. Why do you think Hamlet acted like this?
Scene 2(Summary)
King Claudius has made plans of his own to discover the reasons for Hamlet’s
supposed madness. He has summoned two of Hamlet’s school friends, Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern, both to comfort him and to try to discover the reason for his
distemper (so he says). The two scholars are only too happy to do this task.
After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave the royal presence, Polonius rushes in,
announcing that he has found the reason for Hamlet’s madness. Polonius steps
forward to reveal his discovery. He tells the king and queen, in a very roundabout
way, that he has discovered Hamlet’s foiled love of Ophelia, and that he believes
this lost love to be the root cause of Hamlet’s madness. Claudius asks how they
might prove this to be the case. Polonius has a plan. He offers to loose Ophelia on
Hamlet while he is reading alone in the library.
Meanwhile, he suggests, he and Claudius could hide behind a tapestry and observe
the meeting. Claudius agrees.Just then, Hamlet enters, reading. Gertrude and
Claudius exit while Polonius attempts to speak to Hamlet. Hamlet plays with
Polonius, mocking him, evading his questions, and turning his language inside out.
Polonius leaves to contrive the proposed meeting between Hamlet and his daughter.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter, surprising their friend Hamlet. Hamlet asks the
two why they have come to Elsinore. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern try to dodge this
question, declaring that they have come for no other reason than to visit him.
Hamlet, though, won’t let them off the hook, and makes them admit that the king and
queen sent for them. When they admit it, Hamlet also tells them why they were sent
for – because he has been deeply melancholy, and has foregone his accustomed
behavior. He sinks deeply into a speech detailing this misery.
Rosencrantz changes the subject. He tells Hamlet that he and Guildenstern passed
a troop of players on their way to Elsinore. Soon the players arrive with a flourish.
Polonius rushes back into the scene, bearing the already stale news that the players
have arrived. Hamlet rushes up to welcome them.
Hamlet pulls the main player aside and asks him whether the company knows a
certain play, “The Murder of Gonzago.” The player says that they do, and Hamlet
commissions it for the following night, saying that he will write some speeches of his
own to be inserted into the play as written. The player says that this would be fine
and then takes his leave.
Left alone on stage, Hamlet muses about the strangeness of his situation. He curses
himself and his indecisiveness before cursing his murderous uncle in a rage. Having
regained composure, Hamlet announces his plan to make sure that the ghost of his
father is genuine – that the apparition was not some evil spirit sent to lure his soul to
damnation. He declares his intention to stage a play exactly based on the murder of
his father. While it is played he will observe Claudius. If the king is guilty, Hamlet
figures, surely he will show this guilt when faced with the scene of the crime.
Questions:
1. ”How happy I would be to end my life!” Comment.
2. ”Yes, Denmark is my prison. There’s no escape from dreadful thoughts and
dreams while I am here.” Comment.
3. Hamlet's "Fool that I am , I have been wasting time" is the first of his
soliloquies in Act 2.
A. What is he saying in these lines?
B. Why can’t Hamlet kill Claudius?
Polonius and Claudius then begin their plan to loose Ophelia on Hamlet and mark
their encounter, hoping to find the root of his madness. They instruct Ophelia to
pretend that she is simply reading a book and withdraw behind a tapestry.
Hamlet enters and delivers the most famous speech in literature, beginning, “To be
or not to be.” After this long meditation on the nature of being and death, Hamlet
catches sight of Ophelia. After a short conversation she attempts to return some of
the remembrances that Hamlet gave when courting her. Hamlet replies caustically,
questioning Ophelia’s honesty. He then berates Ophelia, telling her off sarcastically
and venomously, with the refrain, “Get thee to a nunnery,” or in other words, “Go
become a nun to control your lust.” After this tirade, Hamlet exists, leaving Ophelia in
shambles.
Claudius and Polonius step out of their hiding place. The king states that he does
not believe that Hamlet is mad because of his foiled love for Ophelia, or really mad
at all, but tormented for some hidden reason. He determines to send Hamlet on a
diplomatic mission to England before he can cause any serious trouble. Polonius
endorses this plan, but persists in his belief that Hamlet’s grief is the result of his
love for Ophelia. He consoles his daughter. Polonius suggests in parting that
Claudius arrange a private interview between Hamlet and his mother after the play
that evening and Claudius agrees.
Questions:
1. ”What must I do? Shall I decide to live or die?”Comment.
2. ”Women are all the same. How cleverly they trick us!” Comment.
3. ”let the Queen, his mother, question Hamlet.” Comment.
4. When Polonius is instructing Ophelia how to act towards Hamlet so that he
and Claudius can spy
on her interactions with Hamlet, what does Claudius reveal? How can these
lines make the audience have a bit of sympathy for Claudius?
5. After spying on Hamlet, Claudius and Polonius have a discussion :
A) What does Claudius feel is wrong with Hamlet?
B) What plan does Claudius hatch to protect himself?
Scene 2(summary)
Just as the play is about to begin, Hamlet asks his friend to assist him in watching
the king’s response to the play they are about to see (apparently Hamlet has by this
time told Horatio what the ghost revealed). Horatio seats himself so as to view the
king properly. The royal entourage enters. Hamlet manically chatters with Claudius,
Polonius, Gertrude and Ophelia, reserving special attention for the latter, whom he
sits next to and teases.
The play begins with king and queen are shown happily married; the king takes a
nap; a poisoner enters and pours something in the king’s ear, killing him; the
poisoner than takes possession of the queen .The prologue is a short little jingling
rhyme. The player king and queen then immediately enter the stage. The king
mentions that they have been married thirty years.
The player queen expresses a hope that their love last as long over again. The king
encourages the queen to remarry if he dies. The queen protests against this notion
vehemently, swearing never to love another if were to she turn widow. With this, the
king falls asleep and the queen exits. Hamlet asks his mother, Gertrude, how she
likes the play, and Gertrude replies with the famous line, “The lady doth protest too
much, me thinks.” Claudius is also outspokenly apprehensive about the nature of the
play. It continues, however, with the entrance of Lucianus, the sleeping king’s
nephew. This evil character creeps up to the sleeping player king and pours poison
in his ear. Hamlet, unable to contain himself, erupts, telling everyone that Lucianus
will soon win the love of the king’s over-protesting wife.
At this, Claudius rises and orders the play to end. He retreats with his retinue.
Hamlet and Horatio laugh together, certain now that the ghost was telling the truth.
After a short celebration, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter and tell Hamlet that
he has made Claudius very angry. They also say that Gertrude has ordered Hamlet
to meet her in her chamber. They then entreat Hamlet to tell the cause of his
distemper. Hamlet replies mockingly by saying that they are trying to play him like a
pipe and that he won’t let them. Polonius enters and entreats Hamlet again to see
his mother. All exit but Hamlet. In a short soliloquy, Hamlet reflects that he will be
cruel to his mother, showing her the extent of her crime in marrying Claudius, but will
not actually hurt her.
Questions:
1. ” Lights! Light more torches.” Comment.
2. The actors basically reenact King Hamlet’s death on the stage.
A. What is Claudius’ reaction?
B. What is Hamlet’s reaction?
C. In the actual play, the king was killed by his nephew. So, think about
Claudius’ reaction. Does
it show his guilt over killing the king or does it show something else?
3. At the end of the scene, Hamlet has another soliloquy in lines 419 – 432.
A. How does Hamlet indicate he is ready to kill the King?
B. What does he say he will do when he meets with his mother? Explain his
conflicted feelings
about his mother.
Scene 3(Summary)
Claudius gives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a sealed envelope with orders to
convey Hamlet to England and give the envelope to the king there. In highly
flattering terms, they agree to do the king’s bidding and exit. Polonius then enters,
saying that Hamlet is going to meet with his mother, and declaring his intention to
hide behind an arras and listen to their conversation. He exits. Alone, the king looks
into his soul. He is deeply disgusted by what he sees. He kneels to pray, hoping to
purge his guilt, but reflects that this penance will not be genuine because he will still
retain the prizes for which he committed murder in the first place, his crown and his
wife.
Questions:
1. ”I am a man who has murdered his own brother!” Comment.
2. ”My father had no time to pray before his death, his brother was too cruel.”
Comment.
3. Hamlet sneaks up on the king and draws out his sword. The king is alone, so
this would be the perfect time to kill him.
A.why doesn't Hamlet kill him at this moment?
B. What does this tell us about Hamlet’s character?
C. When does he decide to kill him?
D. Does Hamlet use this as an excuse to further delay the killing of
Claudius? Do you think that
his conscience will not allow him to commit premeditated murder?
4. The audience is compelled to feel sympathy for Claudius. Explain
Scene 4(Summary)
In the chamber, awaiting Hamlet’s arrival, Polonius hides himself behind one of
Gertrude’s curtains. Hamlet enters. Gertrude attempts to be firm and chastising, but
Hamlet comes right back at her, saying that she has sinned mightily in marrying her
husband’s brother. He pulls his mother in front of a mirror, saying that he will reveal
her inmost part, and Gertrude momentarily misinterprets this, thinking that Hamlet
may attempt to murder her. She cries for help. Polonius, hidden from view, also cries
out for help. Hamlet thinks that the hidden voice belongs to Claudius. He stabs
Polonius through the curtain, killing him. When he sees that he has killed Polonius,
Hamlet declares the old man to be a “rash, intruding fool.”
Quickly forgetting about this death, Hamlet seats his mother down and presents her
with two portraits, one of her first husband and the other of Claudius. He describes
the two as opposites, the one all nobility and virtue, the other all deformity and vice.
Gertrude is deeply affected by this comparison and seems to comprehend the
enormity of her sin. Hamlet continues to berate her and describe Claudius in the
most foul and hurtful language. While in the middle of this harangue, Old Hamlet’s
ghost appears once more, telling Hamlet to stop torturing his mother and to
remember his duty to kill Claudius. At the ghost’s command, Hamlet consoles his
mother. Gertrude, unable to see the ghost, sees Hamlet talking to thin air and
resolves that he is indeed insane. The ghost exits.
Hamlet tells his mother that he is not in fact insane. He reiterates that she should
repent her marriage to Claudius and tells her in particular to stay away from their
shared bed for the night. After describing the importance of this abstinence in the
most colorful terms, Hamlet reminds his mother that he is ordered to England.
Hamlet says that although he will go to England, he will not trust Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern. He exits his mother’s bedroom, dragging the body of Polonius behind
him.
Questions:
1. ”Mother, you have made my father very angry. Why?”Comment.
2. ”A wicked deed? Almost as bad, good mother As kill a king and marry his own
brother” Comment
3. ”Revenge, Hamlet, revenge! Revenge for murder.” Comment.
4. ”Admit your sins and then confess to heaven.”Comment.
5. ”I’m sorry now I killed him, but I’ll take the blame.”Comment.
6. Hamlet presses contrasting pictures of the late King Hamlet with his brother
Claudius in Gertrude's face.
A. How does he compare the two men?
King Hamlet -Claudius
B. How does he question his mother?
C. How does she react?
7. The Ghost reappears and has a conversation with Hamlet.
A. What does it say to Hamlet?
B. Gertrude is unable to see the ghost of her late husband and believes
Hamlet to be mad. Why do you think she cannot see the ghost when Horatio
and the other guards could in Act 1?
8. After Hamlet asks his mother if she knew that he was to be sent off to
England, what does he say about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and his
plans?
9. Why do you think that Hamlet confronted his mother in this scene?
A-What was his point in doing this?
B-What are your thoughts about Gertrude from this scene?
Scene 2
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern question Hamlet about Polonius’ whereabouts.
Hamlet evades their questions playfully, accusing his former friends of sycophancy
to the king and leading them on a wild goose chase.
Questions:
1. Why did Hamlet run from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ?
2. “He’s with the king - the dead king , not the living one.” Comment.
Scene 3
Claudius is greatly distracted by the death of Polonius and the attempt to find the
body. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter with Hamlet. Claudius questions Hamlet
as to where he has taken Polonius. After some morbidly humorous replies, Hamlet
reveals that he hid Polonius “up the stairs into the lobby.” The king sends attendants
to find the body. Claudius then tells Hamlet that he is to depart immediately for
England, as planned. Hamlet mockingly departs, leaving Claudius to reflect on his
plans for Hamlet. He has prepared letters asking the English king, whom Denmark
has recently defeated in war, to kill Hamlet as part of the duties owed by right of
conquest.
Questions:
1. “While he is free, he is a danger to me” Claudius said this.
2. Who was he talking to ? and who is “he”?
3. Why do you think he said that?
4. “Maggots and worms will make a meal of him” Comment
5. Why do you think Claudius wanted to send Hamlet to England? Do you think
he had good intentions?
6. What did the letter that Claudius sent to the Danish King contain? Do you
think the Danish king will obey him? And why?
Scene 4
Next we see Fortinbras’ Norwegian army. They are at the borders of Denmark.
Fortinbras sends one of his captains to the court of Claudius to ask permission to
cross Denmark in the course of their march to Poland. The captain travels on and
Fortinbras and the rest of the army exit.
The captain meets with Hamlet, who is being conveyed by Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern to the ship to England. Hamlet asks the captain about his army and his
purpose in going to Poland. The captain says that in Poland there is “a little patch of
ground” which Norway claims as her own. He describes this land as perfectly
worthless and small. Hamlet suggests that the Poles will not likely defend such a
piece of land, but the captain sets him straight, saying that Poland is already
garrisoned and ready for their dispute. Hamlet wraps up his conversation with the
captain. He hangs back from the others marching to the ship and delivers a long
soliloquy on the irony of this occasion – these men are off to risk their lives for a
worthless piece of land, while he, who has every reason to risk his life in the cause
of revenge, delays and fails to act. Hamlet resolves to recast his mind to bloody
thoughts. Ironically, however, just after making this resolution he continues on
toward England, leaving Denmark behind him.
Questions:
Scene 5
Back in the court of Denmark, we see Gertrude speaking with a gentleman who
explains that Ophelia has gone mad. She is rambling nonsensically about her father
and insisting on seeing Gertrude. The queen reluctantly admits Ophelia, who
proceeds to sing a number of simple and haunting songs, some of them quite
bawdy. The king enters and witnesses her madness. Ophelia then speaks openly of
her father’s untimely demise and hasty, unofficial burial. She threatens, “My brother
shall know of it,” and exits. Claudius reflects on the difficulty of their situation,
admitting that their decision to cover up Hamlet’s deed and bury Polonius so covertly
has gone against them. He says that Laertes has come from France, egged on by
people who see the court as responsible for Polonius’ death.
On cue, a messenger arrives with word that Laertes has come to court with a mob of
followers who wish to depose Claudius and make Laertes king. Laertes bursts in
and tells his followers to wait outside. In a half-crazed state he insists that Claudius
give him Polonius. Claudius attempts to calm Laertes and tells Gertrude to keep out
of their talk and let Laertes question him to his heart’s content. Claudius tells Laertes
that Polonius is dead. He also insinuates that he and Laertes are on the same side –
that he has been injured by Polonius’ death too.
Just as Claudius is about to explain what he means, Ophelia enters again, bearing a
bundle of flowers. The sight of his insane sister deeply grieves Laertes. Ophelia
handles all those present gifts of flowers, each symbolizing a reproach to the
receiver. She sings another song about her dead father and exits abruptly. As she
leaves Claudius tells Laertes to inquire into the matter as deeply as he wishes,
confident that he will find himself aligned with Claudius against Hamlet. Laertes
agrees.
Questions:
1. “My love is far away.Where has he gone?” Comment
2. Ophelia deserves some sympathy. Do you agree? And why?
3. Who was blamed for Polonius’ death?
4. How did Laertes react to his father’s death?
5. According to Gertrude, why did the people protest?
6. You reap what you sow. Explain
Scene 6
A messenger approaches Horatio, saying that some sailors have news for him.
Horatio receives from these sailors a letter from Hamlet. He reads the letter aloud. It
recounts an amazing turn of events: on his way to England, pirates attacked
Hamlet’s ship. During the fray, Hamlet boarded the pirate vessel. The two ships
parted with Hamlet still aboard. The pirates treated Hamlet “like thieves of mercy,”
promising to return Hamlet to Denmark in return for some favors. Hamlet also
alludes to a startling development having to do with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
but says that he must delay telling of this until they meet. He tells Horatio to follow
the sailors to where he is hiding. Horatio says that he will help to deliver the rest of
their letters, one of which is addressed to the king, and then go with them to see
Hamlet.
Scene 7
Claudius and Laertes are in conference. The king seems to have explained the
strange occasion of Polonius’ death to Laertes’ satisfaction. He says that he did not
try Hamlet for two reasons, first, because his mother loves him so much, and
second, because the people of Denmark are supporters of Hamlet. A messenger
arrives and delivers a letter to Claudius, who is greatly surprised to learn that the
letter comes from Hamlet. The letter announces Hamlet’s imminent return to court.
With this in mind, Claudius and Laertes plot to find a means of killing Hamlet without
upsetting Gertrude or the people. They propose to arrange a duel between Hamlet
and Laertes, both of whom are accomplished swordsmen, though Laertes is the
more reputed. Claudius suggests that Laertes be given a sharp sword while
Hamlet’s remains blunt. Laertes does him one better, saying that he will dip his
sword in poison so that the least scratch will kill Hamlet. Claudius says that on top of
this he will prepare a poisoned cup and give it to Hamlet during the fight.
Gertrude enters with yet more tragic news. She says that Ophelia has drowned. She
was watching Ophelia play in the branches of a willow by the water when she fell in.
Gertrude says that Ophelia seemed ignorant of danger and went to her death slowly,
singing songs. This news reignites Laertes’ rage and Claudius goes to console him.
Questions:
1. How did Claudius justify not punishing Hamlet to Laertes?
2. What was Claudius’ plan that he told Laertes?
3. Ophelia’s madness doomed her. Explain
Provoked by this show of grief, Hamlet then reveals himself. After grappling with
Laertes, Hamlet declares that he loved Ophelia more than forty thousand brothers
could. The king and queen dismiss his avowal as madness. Hamlet then exits and
Horatio follows him. After they have left, Claudius reminds Laertes of their plan to
take care of Hamlet.
Questions:
1. Why do you think the gravedigger was singing while digging the grave?
Scene 2
Hamlet explains to Horatio what happened on his journey to England. He says that
he strongly suspected Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of foul play, and so decided to
apprehend their letter to England. In the letter he found an order for his death.
Hamlet then devised a substitute letter asking for the deaths of Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern. He happened to have a signet ring in the shape of the seal of
Denmark, and so sealed the letter. Hamlet then replaced the letter while
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were asleep. At this point, pirates attacked the
vessel, as related previously.
A courtier, Osric, interrupts Hamlet and Horatio. In very ornate and silly language,
Osric declares to Hamlet that Claudius has proposed a contest of swordsmanship
between Laertes and he. Hamlet and Horatio mock Osric’s pompous and artificial
mannerisms. Eventually Hamlet agrees to enter the contest. When Horatio worries
that Laertes is better at swordplay than he, Hamlet declares that he has been in
continual practice for some time.
A table is prepared and the king, queen and other figures of state gather to watch
the swordfight. Hamlet begs Laertes’ pardon both for his outburst at Ophelia’s grave
and for his rash killing of Polonius. Laertes appears to accept this apology but
declares that his honor will not be satisfied until they have had their contest. Hamlet
and Laertes choose their swords. Laertes nonchalantly chooses the unblunted
sword with the envenomed blade. As they prepare to fight, Claudius proposes a
drink to Hamlet.
The fight begins with Osric as referee. Hamlet wins the first point and the king offers
him a drink to refresh himself, dropping a poisoned pearl in the wine just before he
hands it over. Hamlet declines to take the drink for the time being. They play another
round and Hamlet again wins a point. After this second pass, Gertrude toasts to
Hamlet’s health. She takes up the poisoned chalice and has a drink despite
Claudius’ protestations. Hamlet and Laertes have a third pass which ends in a draw.
After this pass, while Hamlet is unguarded, Laertes wounds Hamlet with the
poisoned rapier. They scuffle and Hamlet ends up with Laertes’ poisoned sword. He
wounds Laertes with it. Just then, the queen collapses. She declares that she has
been poisoned by the drink and then dies. Hamlet asks for the treachery to be found
out and Laertes confesses the plan hatched by the king and he. He says that they
are both inevitably going to die, having been wounded by the poisoned blade.
Hamlet takes the envenomed sword and wounds Claudius, then forces the king to
drink from his poisoned cup. Claudius dies. Laertes asks Hamlet’s forgiveness and
then also dies.
Hamlet, knowing that he is about to die also, asks Horatio to explain this bloody
spectacle to the confused onlookers. Horatio, on the contrary, wishes to die with his
friend, but Hamlet convinces him to live a while and clear his name. Hamlet declares
that Fortinbrasshould become King of Denmark. He then dies – “the rest is silence.”
A flourish is heard and Osric brings news that Fortinbras has arrived from his victory
in Poland with ambassadors from England.
Fortinbras enters the court only to find four noble bodies sprawled out on the floor.
The ambassadors from England enter with news that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
have been killed. Horatio explains that Claudius would not have welcomed this news
even if he had been living to receive it. He orders that the royal bodies be taken up.
Horatio further promises to explain the story behind the deaths.He promises to tell
the story of Hamlet. Fortinbras agrees to hear it. He adds that, given the death of the
Danish royalty, he will now pursue his own claims to the throne. Finally, Fortinbras
declares that Hamlet shall receive a soldier’s burial. Some soldiers take up his body
and bear it from the stage.
Questions:
2. What is the theme of the story ?
3. Prince Hamlet found a letter in the cabin where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
were sleeping.What did it say?and what did Hamlet do after reading the letter?
4. How did the English king know that the letter was sent by Claudius?
5. If you were in Hamlet’s shoes , what would you do?
6. “Death will come sometime –if not now then later” To whom did Hamlet say
this ? and What does this statement tell you about the personality of Hamlet?
7. “I can’t live when you are dead, dear lord” Horatio said this to Hamlet .When
did he say that? And what does this statement tell you about Horatio’s
personality?
8. The end is tragic . Explain
Poetry
Sonnet 43
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Explanation:
Elizabeth Barett Browning (1806-1861) married Robert Browning .Both were really
famous poets then. In this sonnet ( a 14-line love poem) , she is saying that her love
to him is everywhere in the space.The love that she has for Robert fills her spiritual
and non-spiritual aspects.She loves him enough to meet his domestic needs during
the day and the night.She loves him by her free choice just like men who choose the
right path in their lives.
She loves him so purely that she is modest and shy just like men when they are
praised.Her love to him is pure , righteous, holy and free from any sin.She even
loves him with an intensity of the suffering resembling that of Christ on the cross,
and she loves him in the way that she loved saints as a child. Moreover, she expects
to continue to love him after death.She loves him when she smiles , cries and even
breathe, and if she dies, she will even love him more.
Figures of speech:
Direct address: “Thee” means you , which makes the poem personal.
Alliteration:
Metaphor: “My soul can reach” she describes how far her love fills her soul.
Rhyme scheme: a b b c a b b a c d c d c d