Hamlet - Act-by-Act Analysis
English
GCSE
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A worksheet covering Hamlet - Act-by-Act Analysis for GCSE students, with a focus on mythological references and themes.
Topics covered:
Worksheet Preview
Full preview • 8 questions
Hamlet - Act-by-Act Analysis
Subject: EnglishGrade: GCSE
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz
Untitled Worksheet
Grade GCSE
A
Act III, Scene I: Hamlet's 'To be, or not to be' Soliloquy
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them. To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of dispriz'd love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin?
1.
Identify the metaphor used in line 2 and explain its significance in the context of the soliloquy.
[3 marks]2.
What is the significance of the 'sleep' motif in Hamlet's speech?
[2 marks]3.
Which literary technique is evident in the phrase 'perchance to dream'?
Aa) Alliteration
Bb) Caesura
Cc) Metaphor
Dd) Volta
4.
Discuss how Hamlet's reference to 'the law's delay' can be linked to mythological themes of fate and justice.
5.
Identify two other instances in the play where Hamlet references mythological or legendary figures or themes.
[4 marks]6.
Analyse the tone of Hamlet's speech. How does it reflect his inner conflict?
7.
Explain the significance of the phrase 'The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks' in relation to the theme of human suffering.
[2 marks]8.
In what way does Hamlet’s contemplation of death relate to the mythological concept of the hero’s journey?
[3 marks]Unlock Full Worksheet & Answers
Get instant access to the complete worksheet, answer keys, and 1,899 others
Unlimited answer keys for all worksheets
Download clean, formatted PDFs
Customize and remix any worksheet
Cancel anytime • No commitment • Start today
Quick Actions
What is Remix?
Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.
- • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
- • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
- • Add more questions (10 → 15)
- • Adjust difficulty
Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet