ACT 4 CHARACTER EVOLUTION

Hamlet

2 KEY ISSUES IN ACT 4

MADNESS REVENGE

HAMLET Is Hamlet ANTIC or MAD? Actions/words following death of Polonius “How all occasions do inform against me

And spur my dull revenge” (4.4.34)

“…Of thinking too precisely on th’ event (A thought which quartered, hath but one part wisdom/And ever three parts coward”)

(4.4.43)

OPHELIA Is Ophelia a victim? Your best psychological analysis? “Divided from herself and her fair

judgment (Claudius) “We know what we are

But know not what we may be” Lyrics of “her song” And will he not come again” (4.5.212)

MADNESSCompare and contrast Ophelia and

Hamlet’s madness

CLAUDIUSIs Claudius arrogant or paranoid?“The present death of Hamlet

…Do it, England” (4.3.74)“The Queen his mother

Lives almost by his looks (4.7.14)“…Is the great love the general

gender bear him” (4.7.20)

CLAUDIUS“And for his death no wind of blame

shall breathe/But even his mother shall uncharge the practice/ And call it accident” (4.7.74)

“Revenge shall have no bounds” (4.7.146)

LAERTES Is Laertes Hamlet’s foil? “What would you undertake

To show yourself indeed your father’s sonMore than in words?” (4.7.141) ~ Claudius to Laertes

“To cut his throat i’ th’ church” ~ Laertes “Laertes, was your father dear to you?

Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,A face without a heart?” (4.7.122-124)

~ Claudius

REVENGE

Compare and contrast the revenge of Hamlet and Laertes