Bonus Features: Discussion Points
Post Act 1
- How does Shakespeare establish the tone of the play in Act 1, scene 1?
- Discuss important lines and moments from Act 1.
- Discuss the parent-child relationships in Act 1.
- Is Claudius a good ruler?
- Compare and contrast the following two characters: Hamlet and Horatio.
Post Act 2
- Discuss important lines and moments from Act 2.
- Discuss the parent-child relationships in Act 2.
- What function do the Players serve in Hamlet?
- How does Shakespeare develop the themes of spying and surveillance in Act 2?
- Hamlet goes through several changes in mood in his soliloquy, “O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” Identify the mood changes and discuss how Shakespeare and the actor (Jonathan Goad) were able to convey these.
Post Act 3
- Discuss the importance of the “nunnery” scene (Act 3, scene 2) and whether this is a turning point for either Hamlet or Ophelia or both.
- Discuss important lines and moments from Act 3.
- Discuss the parent-child relationships in Act 3.
- Discuss Hamlet’s “madness” – do you believe it is real or he is merely acting? Support your answers with examples from the text or film.
Post Act 4
- Compare and contrast the following two characters: Hamlet and Laertes.
- Discuss important lines and moments from Act 4.
- Discuss Ophelia’s mental and emotional state and compare it to that of Hamlet.
- Discuss the various ways in which Claudius schemes and manipulates. Whom does he manipulate?
Post Act 5
- What role do women play in Hamlet?
- How do the issues present in Hamlet reflect our society today?
- Discuss important themes in Hamlet.
- Discuss important lines and moments from Act 5.
- Discuss Hamlet’s love for Ophelia – was it genuine or not?
- Is Hamlet a revenge play?
- Would Hamlet have made a good ruler?
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Support for Stratford Festival HD is generously provided by Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, the Jenkins Family Foundation, the Henry White Kinnear Foundation, Ophelia & Mike Lazaridis, The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, Sandra & Jim Pitblado, the Slaight Family Foundation, Robert & Jacqueline Sperandio, and an anonymous donor