List and explain 5 ways that Shakespeare manages to create suspense in act 1 of Hamlet.

1) At the very beginning of Act I Scene 1, the two
sentinels, Bernardo and Francisco, confront each other during night watch.  Bernardo
asks, "Who's there?"  Francisco insists that it is the other man who must identify
himself: "Nay, answer me.  Stand and unfold [identify] yourself."  This scene hints to
us that there will be dangerous circumstances ahead.

2)
Again, in Scene 1, we learn that some "dreaded sight" has appeared to some of the
sentinels.  No better way to build suspense than to suggest that ghosts are running
about! 

3) In Scene 2, we learn that the previous King has
died and the new King's marriage to the Queen has been accompanied by a "dirge."  Yet we
are not given any information about how the King has died. 
Unexplained death is always a good suspense-builder.

4)
Again in Scene 2, we learn that Denmark is being threatened by Fortinbras of Norway, who
is demanding the return of lands that had been lost by his father.  Possible War =
Suspense.

5) In Scene 4, Horatio, Marcellus, and Hamlet
wait for the appearance of the Ghost, at midnight on a "nipping" cold
night.