- 1
How do the setting, dialogue, and events of Scene 1 help set the mood for the rest of the play?
Set on a dark, freezing night on which three terrified men encounter a ghost, scene 1 establishes the mood of foreboding, tension, and uncertainty that runs throughout Hamlet. It is worth noting that the first line of the play is a question ("Who's there?"), one that deals with uncertainty and identity. As Horatio himself points out, the appearance of the ghost is a sign of an impending calamity, and is representative of one of the play's central themes - death.
- 2
Reread Hamlet's speech in lines 76-86. How does this speech help establish on the play's main themes?
In...
Join Now to View Premium Content
GradeSaver provides access to 2375 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11027 literature essays, 2797 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.
