Hamlet Act 5 study questions

HAMLET ACT 5: Questions

1) What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and song? How does it fit into the play?
His riddles and songs represent things that are wrong, and obviously dumb that are going on in Denmark.

2) In what ways do Hamlet’s reactions to the skulls in the graveyard seem to suggest a change in his outlook? 
He sees death more closely, and actually accepts it, although, he does see that once you're dead, all you are is just a skull. If you were a noble who was well connected and well known, you will just be the same as any peasant at this time.

Compare Hamlet’s attitude towards Yoric to Hamlet’s attitude to Ophelia or even his father? How is it different? How is it similar?
Hamlet sees Yorik as just a skull, while he sees Ophelia or his father as symbols that represent something huge.

3) How old is Hamlet? How do you know this?
Hamlet is roughly 30 years old. The gravedigger said he became the gravedigger at this exact time that Hamlet was born.

4) What does the violent argument between Hamlet and Laertes add to the play?
It adds more of a reason to show how they loved Ophelia in different ways, and why they are so mad at each other.

5) What developments in Hamlet’s character are presented through the story of what happened on the boat? (V.ii 1-62). How has Hamlet changed?
He seems to be more accepting of the inevitable future. Before the pirates, or even the R&G boat, he was consumed with the vengeance of his father, but after the pirates, he knew what was going to happen, so he stepped his game up and took action.

6) How do Hamlet’s motives in killing Claudius seem to have shifted according to his speech beginning “Does it not, think thee…” (V.ii.63)
Hamlet is pissed that Claudius slithered his way onto the throne. Hamlet states that he was wanting to become king shown by statements about his hopes, and the rigged election.

7) What concerns of the play are reinforced in the Osric episode? (V.ii.80-170)
Claudius' "venom" is still introduced, as well as Hamlet playing the madness again.

8) Why does Hamlet ‘defy augury’? (V.ii.192)
He knows what is to happen in the future, and he does not want that, causing him to defy it.

9) What does Laertes say is his motive in still resenting Hamlet? How has already lost this? How does this contribute to the presentation of revenge in the play? (V.ii216-223)
He forgives Hamlet by saying "Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me."

10) How might the dying lines of Gertrude, Claudius and Laertes be viewed as typical of the way their characters have been presented throughout the play?
It represents them as characters in deeper meanings. In my opinion, Gertrude was poisoned by the snake(Claudius) from his corruption abilities. Laertes forgives Hamlet for the death of his father because he now realizes why Hamlet felt the revenge that he did when he killed Polonius.

11) Who “wins” in Hamlet? How and why do you think this?
Fortinbras wins, because although he wasn't shown until the end of the book, the land was taken from him and his father. Fortinbras getting the land that he lost back shows that he is the true winner.

Act 4 study questions

Act IV, Scene 1

1. What is Claudius' main fear in the immediate aftermath of Polonius' death?
His fear is of Hamlet, since it is obvious that Hamlet knows what his uncle did by this time.

Act IV, Scene 2

1. What does Hamlet refuse to tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
He refuses to tell them where he hid Polonius's body.

Act IV, Scene 3

1. What image does Hamlet use (ll. 19-29) to warn Claudius he's only king temporarily?
"Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service–two dishes, but to one table. That's the end."

2. Claudius ends the scene by writing a letter: to whom, and what order does it contain?
Writes it to the captain of the ship, and to not let Hamlet arrive to his destination.

Act IV, Scene 4

1. What's the value of the land Fortinbras' army is marching to capture in Poland (l. 20)? What will the invasion itself cost (l. 25)?
The value of the land that Fortinbras is going to invade has literally no value to it. The invasion will cost more than what is gained.

2. Hamlet's soliloquy (ll. 32-66) is self-critical; summarize his main fault.
His main fault is leaving Ophelia on a hard note, causing her to kill herself. He also probably should NOT have stabbed the curtain knowing that it was Polonius.

Act IV, Scene 5

1. Ophelia's songs during her first appearance in this scene deal with love, death and sex. Why? What do they tell us about her at the moment? What might they reveal about Her, Hamlet and Polonius?
They tell us that she wants things to be back how they were with her, Polonius, and Hamlet. She is depressed at this moment.

2. Why is Laertes a danger to Claudius' throne (ll. 98-103)? (Actually two or three related reasons.)
He is way too wise and vengeful, causing many people to look up to him as a leader.

3. What does Claudius offer as assurance that he had no part in Polonius' death (ll. 190-9)?
He shows proof that he was one of Polonius' best friends.

Act IV, Scene 6

1. Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet explaining how he escaped from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. How did he?
He tricked them into going a certain way, then he walked off the other way.

Act IV, Scene 7

1. What reason does Claudius give Laertes for Hamlet's killing of Polonius (ll. 1-4)?
He gave the reason that Hamlet was mad.

2. What are his two reasons for not charging Hamlet with murder (ll. 9-24)?
The people looked up to him, and he is royalty.

3. Claudius reveals that Laertes is famous for his skill with the rapier (a fencing weapon) and that Hamlet is envious of this fame.
Ok??

4. How does Claudius plan to exploit this envy to give Laertes a chance for (publicly) guiltless revenge (ll. 126-38)?
He tells Laertes that he will poison a drink and give it to Hamlet.

5. How does Laertes refine the plan (ll. 138-147)?
Laertes steps it up and poisons his sword.

6. What announcement does Gertrude make to end Act IV? 
She tells Laertes that Ophelia is dead. That she drowned.