Glossary To be ... be (1. 1 ): (I) should I endure my sorrows
or take the king’s life -and so inevitably lose mine?
II) should I kill myself?
slings and arrows (1.3): (all the things that attack us)
No (1.6): nothing
to say (1.6) if it is true
flesh is
heir to (L8): we are born to surfer
consummation (1.8): perfect
conclusion
devoutly (1.9): sincerely
perchance (1. 10): perhaps
(poetic) Ay, there’s the rub (l.10): Yes,
that’s where the problem is
shuffled off ... coil (1. 12): shaken off the turmoil of
our present life
give us pause (1.13): make us hesitate
respect (1.13); consideration
makes . . . life (1.14): makes disaster last so long (or
that makes such a long life disastrous?)
whips and scorns of time (1.15): insults of this world
contumely (1.16): humiliating behaviour
con Understanding and interpretation: Language and style 1.Read the lines `To
be... end them`
(1.1-5). How could you summarise Hamlet`s problem?
2.Explain what you think Hamlet could be reffering to
in a) «No more» (1.6);
b) «tis a consummation» (1.8)
3.Read the lines «To sleep!... so long life» (1.10-14)
and complete the following: The problem is not dying
but ..................................... .
4.Read the lines «For who.... bare bodkin» (1.15-
21)and rewrite Hamlett`s list in the gap, using either
your own words or the words from the glossary: Who
would put up with ...... when he can put an end to it all
by killing himself?
5.Read the lines «Who would fardels... name of action»
(1.21-33) What does Hamlet mean by «Thus
conscience does make cowards of us all»?
Underline some of the metaphors in the extract. Select
at least two and say what they illustrate:
At the end of the play Hamlet kills Claudius and his
mother Gertrude accidentally drinks from a poisoned
cup. Hamlet and Laertes (the brother of Ophelia, whom
he has loved) kill each other in a duel. Fortinbras,
prince of Norway, appears and gives Hamlet a military
funeral.
Do you know any other important scenes from the
play?
pangs . . . love (1.17): pain when love is not valued
law’s delay (1.17): delays caused by legal processes
insolence of office (1. I8): rudeness shown by those
in positions of authority
spurns . . . takes (1.18-19): insults which good and
quiet people take from those who are unworthy
his quietus make (1.20): settle his account (release him
from life)
bare bodkin (1.21): only a dagger
fardels (121): burdens
(archaic) But that the dread . . . puzzles the will (1.23 -25): if the fear . . . didn’t make us
uncertain
bourn (1.24): boundary
(archaic) conscience (l.28): being aware
native hue {1.29): natural colour
sicklied o’er with (1.30): weakened
by.
cast (1.30): colour
pitch and moment (1.31): importance
With . . . awry (1.32): when considered
like this their forward movement is diverted