Hamlet

A great question! The story of Hamlet derives from legends set in the ninth or tenth century. At that time Denmark had conquered much of England, and had forced it to pay a kind of protection money called "tribute", which meant that as long as the English paid, the Danes would not sail across the North Sea and ravish their country. There is reference to this in Claudius's line to Polonius: "He shall with speed to England for the demand of our neglected tribute." (3,1) The English of the time were a cowardly lot, who were prepared to grovel before the militarily superior Danes at the slightest opportunity. (Historically, apart from the reign of Alfred the Great, the English got regularly thumped by the Danes for a period of over 200 years from 800 to 1016). It therefore makes sense that if the King of Denmark sent word to England to kill someone, the English would eagerly reply, "And how quickly would you like that done?"

In Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Claudius expresses his deep guilt and desperation when he states that he cannot pray because he still enjoys the fruits of his crime—his power and the throne gained through regicide. His last words reveal his internal conflict, highlighting that he recognizes his wrongdoing but feels trapped by his ambition and the consequences of his actions. This moment underscores the themes of guilt, morality, and the struggle for redemption.

There's no scene where Hamlet gives Ophelia gifts.

We understand that he has, because of the 'Nunnery Scene,' in Act 3, Scene 1, where Ophelia returns Hamlet's gifts. In that scene, she says "My lord, I have remembrances of yours, That I have longed long to redeliver; I pray you, now receive them."

By the way, "remembrances" are keepsakes, sentimental gifts, like a flower for example.

Finny

Act IV, Scene iv in Hamlet ends with his soliloquy. He muses about his motivations and how he needs to move forward with his revenge. At the end of the speech, he steels himself to only focus and act on his bloody thoughts (those that drive him toward his revenge on his uncle). However, later Hamlet will show that this resolve is only in his words and not his actions.

When she realizes she's been poisoned, she finally realizes that there's a conspiracy trying to kill Hamlet. The drink, and therefore the poison, was meant for him. With her last breath, she warns him.

On the battlements of Elsinore Castle, by the castle guards.

In the play, it's true that he does both.

People have being trying to figure this one out for 400 years. There is no simple answer, and the play has been described as "inexhaustible"

I believe you are referring to the "Get thee to a nunnery!" Scene in Hamlet where he tells Ophelia to go to a nunnery rather than, "be a breeder of sinners," but it is also a play on words because a nunnery was a nickname for a brothel; so he was calling her a prostitute.

This is one of the most debated questions about Hamlet and one to which no definitive answer can be given. There are three possible answers:

1. Hamlet was really mad.

2. Hamlet was just putting it on. Evidence for this are his lines to his friends that he is going to "put an antic disposition on". He also says clearly to his mother that "it is not madness that I speak". He behaves very strangely when he is with Polonius but once he is gone, his behaviour changes and he sneers, "These tedious old fools."

3. Both. He was putting it on but he was unstable.

Actors have played him all three ways successfully.

He's the king. A subject should obey his king.

Hamlet asks the Players to perform a play called "The Murder of Gonzago." In it, a guy called Gonzago gets murdered. The players put on this play, with the first player playing the part of Gonzago, although he is not referred to by name.

Laertes.

Fortinbras had it coming because his name was gay

Hecuba is a character in one of the stories in Hamlet. I think the play was called Mouse Trap or Murder of Gonzago im not sure which one tho

Uncle Claudius poured poison down his ear while he was sleeping in an orchard

Hamlet's old school chums Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Ophelia might not have gone crazy, Laertes would not have come home to fight hamlet, and king Claudius might not have wanted to send hamlet away.

And you make yourselves another." (Act 3 Scene 1)

They both say they want Hamlet to stay at Elsinore Castle instead of going back to school at Wittenberg.

Reynaldo serves as a servant and spy for Polonius in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." He is tasked with the responsibility of gathering information about Laertes, Polonius's son, who is studying in Paris. Polonius instructs Reynaldo to subtly inquire about Laertes's behavior and character, reflecting Polonius's manipulative nature and his desire to control those around him. Reynaldo's role highlights themes of surveillance and deception within the play.

"Never to speak of this that you have heard", by which he means the appearance of the ghost, although Horatio heard nothing from the ghost's lips. Also, "How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself . . .that you, at such times seeing me, never shall . . . note that you know aught of me." Horatio and Marcellus are not to suggest even that they have an idea why Hamlet is doing what he is doing.