Hamlet
by William Shakespeare
Table of Contents
Discussion Questions
1. Is the ghost of King Hamlet an evil spirit urging Hamlet to sin or a good spirit urging Hamlet to justice? Give reasons for why it might be both. Is it possible to conclude one way or the other?
2. Is it likely that Ophelia is responsible for her own death? Why or why not? Give evidence from the text to support your conclusion.
3. Is Polonius a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
4. The Danish people are believed by Claudius to love Hamlet. What argument could one make that justifies their love for him? In other words, what makes Hamlet appealing? Why does he elicit love from women like Gertrude and Ophelia and men like Horatio?
5. Why is this play considered a tragedy? Does it fit the Aristotelian model of a tragic drama?
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