Active Reading Journal: "Hamlet" Act I

We were asked to create an active reading journal throughout the course of reading (or listening) to Hamlet. I'm going to do my Journal in sections. Each of the acts will have it's own blog post, and so will each of Hamlet's soliloquy's. 

In Act I Scene I Bernardo relieves Fransisco, where he is then met with Marcellus and Horatio. Marcellus and Bernardo tell Horatio of the ghost who looks like the king. Horatio has his doubts until the ghost appears. He tries to talk to it, but it stays quiet. After the ghost disappears Horatio suggests that they tell Hamlet of his father's appearance.

In Act I Scene II new King Claudius talks about the death of his brother, and of his marriage (I believe it has just happened) to Gertrude. He also talks of a letter that he received from Fortinbras asking for return of the land that King Hamlet had gotten from his uncle. Laertes asks for permission to go back to France and is granted permission. Claudius asks why Hamlet is still mourning his fathers death as it is the cycle of life, but Claudius tells Hamlet that he is a good son for mourning his death. Hamlet also promises his mother that he will not go back to Wittinberg.After everyone leaves Hamlet performs a soliloquy and then Horatio comes in to tell him of his fathers ghost. He decides to meet with him that night to see for himself.

In Act I Scene III: In the beginning of this scene it Laertes is getting ready to leave for France, but as he is getting ready he is talking to Ophelia. He warns Ophelia of Hamlet and what he may do. Polonius shoos Laertes away and then asks Ophelia not to see Hamlet anymore, and as the good girl she is she agrees. 

Photo Reference: Act I Scene IV

In Act I Scene IV Hamlet is with Horatio and Marcellus waiting for the ghost. When the ghost appears and beckons for Hamlet alone. Horatio and Marcellus try to tell Hamlet not to go, but in the end it is useless and he follows after his father's ghost.

In Act I Scene V Hamlet is with his father's ghost. King Hamlet then begins to ask Hamlet to seek revenge so he can pass on. He tells Hamlet he was murdered. He alludes to Claudius when he says the murder now wears his crown. Hamlet agrees to seek revenge on his father's behalf.