Hamlet Quiz: Act I

Hamlet is a famous play written by William Shakespeare, and it is set in the Kingdom of Denmark. The main character, Hamlet, is the Prince of Denmark. Therefore, the correct answer is Denmark.

Hamlet's stepfather being his uncle can be explained by the fact that Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, married her deceased husband's brother, Claudius. This makes Claudius both Hamlet's stepfather and his uncle.

The correct answer is "Outside the Castle". This is because the question asks where the ghost is first spotted, and out of the given options, the only location mentioned is outside the castle. Therefore, it can be inferred that the ghost is first seen outside the castle.

Laertes says he wishes to return to France.

In this question, the correct answer is "A Cock's Crow." This noise drives the ghost offstage. In literature and folklore, it is often believed that ghosts are scared away by the sound of a rooster crowing, hence the term "cock's crow." This explanation aligns with the common belief and adds a touch of supernatural element to the question.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are in Denmark to find out why Hamlet is acting mad. This can be inferred from their role in the play as childhood friends of Hamlet who are summoned by King Claudius to spy on him and uncover the reason for his strange behavior. Their main purpose is to gather information and report back to the king, which aligns with the idea of finding out the cause behind Hamlet's madness.

Hamlet claims to be afflicted by melancholy. Melancholy is a state of deep sadness or depression, which is often associated with feelings of hopelessness and despair. Throughout the play, Hamlet exhibits symptoms of melancholy, such as his introspective and brooding nature, his contemplation of suicide, and his inability to take decisive action. This melancholic disposition is a central aspect of Hamlet's character and drives much of the play's plot and themes.

The guards believe that Horatio, being a scholar, will be able to help them communicate with the ghost of the King. Scholars are often associated with knowledge and understanding, so the guards likely trust that Horatio's intelligence and education will enable him to effectively interact with the ghost.

The ghost says he wanders in Purgatory. Purgatory is a concept in certain religious beliefs where souls go to be purified before reaching their final destination, either Heaven or Hell. It is a state or place of temporary suffering or purification.

At the time of writing, Denmark was a Protestant country. This means that the dominant religious belief and practice in Denmark was Protestantism. Protestantism emerged as a result of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, which led to the separation from the Catholic Church and the establishment of various Protestant denominations. Therefore, it can be inferred that Denmark had embraced Protestantism as its state religion during the time the question refers to.