HamletHamlet by William by William ShakespeareShakespeareActs IV/V DiscussionActs IV/V Discussion

1. How is this scene ambiguous 1. How is this scene ambiguous regarding Gertrude’s “conversion” from regarding Gertrude’s “conversion” from the previous scene?the previous scene?

On the one hand, Gertrude still plays the On the one hand, Gertrude still plays the role of faithful queen, telling Claudius of role of faithful queen, telling Claudius of Polonius’murder. She does not object to Polonius’murder. She does not object to Hamlet’s being sent to England. On the Hamlet’s being sent to England. On the other hand, she does not report to other hand, she does not report to Claudius all of the details of her Claudius all of the details of her conversation with Hamlet, and there is no conversation with Hamlet, and there is no evidence to suggest that she knows the evidence to suggest that she knows the fate that awaits Hamlet in England.fate that awaits Hamlet in England.

2. What is the apparent 2. What is the apparent purpose of this brief scene?purpose of this brief scene?

This scene really does not advance plot, This scene really does not advance plot, develop character, or help establish theme. develop character, or help establish theme. There is, however, additional wordplay for the There is, however, additional wordplay for the audience’s amusement, and it possibly helps to audience’s amusement, and it possibly helps to establish Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s establish Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s naiveté and innocence. They do not naiveté and innocence. They do not understand what Hamlet is accusing them of, understand what Hamlet is accusing them of, nor do they recognize his warning that when nor do they recognize his warning that when Claudius is done with them, he will merely Claudius is done with them, he will merely discard them.discard them.

3. Why can’t Claudius simply deal with 3. Why can’t Claudius simply deal with Hamlet swiftly and harshly as allowed Hamlet swiftly and harshly as allowed by law?by law?

As a prince, Hamlet is popular with the As a prince, Hamlet is popular with the people of Denmark, and Claudius dare people of Denmark, and Claudius dare not antagonize them.not antagonize them.

4. How does this scene advance 4. How does this scene advance Hamlet’s developing awareness of Hamlet’s developing awareness of death?death?

The whole Polonius-body episode The whole Polonius-body episode focuses on the physical aspect of death. focuses on the physical aspect of death. The body remains to return to the dust, to The body remains to return to the dust, to be eaten by worms, etc. Hamlet’s be eaten by worms, etc. Hamlet’s observation that a King’s body might end observation that a King’s body might end up feeding a peasant foreshadows the up feeding a peasant foreshadows the realization he will have in Act V, scene i realization he will have in Act V, scene i that the fact of death makes all people that the fact of death makes all people equal.equal.

5. Do Rosencrantz and 5. Do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern know the true Guildenstern know the true purpose of their journey to purpose of their journey to England?England?

They exit before Claudius informs the audience They exit before Claudius informs the audience that he has written—and sealed—letters that he has written—and sealed—letters instructing the English King to execute Hamlet. instructing the English King to execute Hamlet. Therefore, they do not know the exact nature Therefore, they do not know the exact nature of their trip. Earlier (Act III, Scene I) Claudius of their trip. Earlier (Act III, Scene I) Claudius claimed that the trip to England was for the claimed that the trip to England was for the purpose of collecting a tax that was due and purpose of collecting a tax that was due and England had failed to pay. Plus, he alleged that England had failed to pay. Plus, he alleged that the sea voyage and change of scenery would the sea voyage and change of scenery would do Hamlet’s mental state good.do Hamlet’s mental state good.

6. What is the apparent 6. What is the apparent purpose of this brief scene?purpose of this brief scene?

First of all, this scene introduces us to First of all, this scene introduces us to Fortinbras, not as a hothead invading Fortinbras, not as a hothead invading Denmark, but as “a delicate and tender prince.” Denmark, but as “a delicate and tender prince.” Secondly, Fortinbras’ intent to invade Poland Secondly, Fortinbras’ intent to invade Poland and fight over a worthless piece of land, and and fight over a worthless piece of land, and Poland’s intent to defend it again highlights Poland’s intent to defend it again highlights Hamlet’s inactivity, the fact that he has a more Hamlet’s inactivity, the fact that he has a more concrete call to action and has taken none.concrete call to action and has taken none.

7.What important 7.What important information does Claudius information does Claudius reveal?reveal?

Claudius tells Gertrude that the people of Claudius tells Gertrude that the people of Denmark are grumbling and in turmoil Denmark are grumbling and in turmoil over the death of Polonius. Further, over the death of Polonius. Further, Polonius was buried quickly without any Polonius was buried quickly without any of the ceremony that would have been of the ceremony that would have been fitting for a person of his rank. Laertes fitting for a person of his rank. Laertes has secretly entered Denmark, has kept has secretly entered Denmark, has kept himself in hiding, and has been rousing himself in hiding, and has been rousing the people against Claudius.the people against Claudius.

8. What do they assume is the 8. What do they assume is the cause of Ophelia’s apparent cause of Ophelia’s apparent madness?madness?

They assume that Ophelia’s madness is They assume that Ophelia’s madness is a combination of the stresses of her a combination of the stresses of her father’s death, Hamlet’s being sent away, father’s death, Hamlet’s being sent away, and the fact that Hamlet is her father’s and the fact that Hamlet is her father’s killer.killer.

9. Why do you suppose Ophelia’s 9. Why do you suppose Ophelia’s madness takes on the form it madness takes on the form it does?does?

Ophelia enters the room singing vulgar songs about Ophelia enters the room singing vulgar songs about country girls losing their virginity. In the famous country girls losing their virginity. In the famous nunnery scene, Hamlet essentially accused Ophelia of nunnery scene, Hamlet essentially accused Ophelia of being a whore, a seductress, and a temptress. In the being a whore, a seductress, and a temptress. In the play-within-a-play scene he again assaulted her with play-within-a-play scene he again assaulted her with vulgar jokes. Laertes and Polonius had both warned vulgar jokes. Laertes and Polonius had both warned her about surrendering her “virtue” to Hamlet. her about surrendering her “virtue” to Hamlet. Therefore, whether Hamlet and Ophelia had a physical Therefore, whether Hamlet and Ophelia had a physical relationship or not, certainly all of the men in Ophelia’s relationship or not, certainly all of the men in Ophelia’s life seem to make certain assumptions about Ophelia’s life seem to make certain assumptions about Ophelia’s behavior, and she is now enacting those assumptions.behavior, and she is now enacting those assumptions.

10. Describe Laertes’ response to 10. Describe Laertes’ response to his father’s death. How is he a foil his father’s death. How is he a foil for Hamlet?for Hamlet?

Laertes is in a rage and intent upon Laertes is in a rage and intent upon revenge. Because Laertes is able to revenge. Because Laertes is able to gather a small army of supporters, the gather a small army of supporters, the implication is that Hamlet, who is so implication is that Hamlet, who is so popular, could have unseated Claudius popular, could have unseated Claudius this way. Laertes contrasts with Hamlet this way. Laertes contrasts with Hamlet because he focuses his energy on action because he focuses his energy on action while Hamlet’s energy is focused on while Hamlet’s energy is focused on thought.thought.

11. How do the flowers Ophelia 11. How do the flowers Ophelia distributes relate to the characters distributes relate to the characters and their actions?and their actions?

This question also requires a little research. This question also requires a little research. The fennel and columbines that she gives to The fennel and columbines that she gives to the Queen represent unfaithfulness because the Queen represent unfaithfulness because the Queen has been unfaithful to her late the Queen has been unfaithful to her late husband and her son. She gives the King rue husband and her son. She gives the King rue for repentance, signifying that he should repent for repentance, signifying that he should repent for the murder of his brother. She also gives for the murder of his brother. She also gives him a daisy, the symbol of unrequited love. him a daisy, the symbol of unrequited love. Perhaps she is alluding to the idea that the Perhaps she is alluding to the idea that the Queen does not truly love him.Queen does not truly love him.

12. What new is revealed in Hamlet’s 12. What new is revealed in Hamlet’s letter to Horatio? What does this show letter to Horatio? What does this show about Hamlet?about Hamlet?

The ship bringing Hamlet to England was The ship bringing Hamlet to England was attacked by pirates. The pirates are attacked by pirates. The pirates are bringing Hamlet back to Denmark. He is bringing Hamlet back to Denmark. He is clever enough to have negotiated this clever enough to have negotiated this arrangement.arrangement.

13. What will happen to 13. What will happen to Rosencrantz and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?Guildenstern?

Hamlet has opened the sealed orders Hamlet has opened the sealed orders that decreed his death. He changed them that decreed his death. He changed them to order Rosencrantz’s and to order Rosencrantz’s and Guildenstern’s deathsGuildenstern’s deaths

14. How does this episode illustrate the 14. How does this episode illustrate the role of coincidence in Shakespearean role of coincidence in Shakespearean tragedy?tragedy?

While coincidence does not directly While coincidence does not directly cause cause any any of the tragic action, it can—and usually does—of the tragic action, it can—and usually does—contribute contribute to the tragic action. For example, it to the tragic action. For example, it is simply is simply by coincidence by coincidence that Hamlet happens that Hamlet happens to have the king’s seal with him so that he can to have the king’s seal with him so that he can open and reseal the letters Rosencrantz and open and reseal the letters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are carrying. It is coincidence that Guildenstern are carrying. It is coincidence that the ship taking him to England happens to be the ship taking him to England happens to be beset by pirates, that he happens to board their beset by pirates, that he happens to board their ship, etc.ship, etc.

15. Why does Claudius tell 15. Why does Claudius tell Laertes he will not kill Laertes he will not kill Hamlet himself?Hamlet himself?

The King will not kill Hamlet for two The King will not kill Hamlet for two reasons. First, the Queen loves Hamlet reasons. First, the Queen loves Hamlet and since the King loves her, he will not and since the King loves her, he will not hurt her. Secondly, Claudius cannot kill hurt her. Secondly, Claudius cannot kill him because the people love him.him because the people love him.

16. In Gertrude’s description of 16. In Gertrude’s description of Ophelia’s drowning, what suggests Ophelia’s drowning, what suggests that Ophelia’s death was an that Ophelia’s death was an accident?accident?

Gertrude describes her falling into the Gertrude describes her falling into the water as apparently accidental—a branch water as apparently accidental—a branch broke while she was hanging a garland of broke while she was hanging a garland of flowers, and she fell in. Gertrude also flowers, and she fell in. Gertrude also points out that Ophelia did not seem to points out that Ophelia did not seem to have any idea of the danger she was in have any idea of the danger she was in while she sang the old songs and sank.while she sang the old songs and sank.

17.What is the significance of the various 17.What is the significance of the various skulls the gravedigger digs up during this skulls the gravedigger digs up during this scene? How do they contribute to the evolution scene? How do they contribute to the evolution of Hamlet’s understanding of death?of Hamlet’s understanding of death?

First, the skulls emphasize the end of physical life on First, the skulls emphasize the end of physical life on earth and the physical decay that follows death. There earth and the physical decay that follows death. There is no sense of spiritual afterlife (“to sleep, perchance to is no sense of spiritual afterlife (“to sleep, perchance to dream”) in this scene. The first several skulls are dream”) in this scene. The first several skulls are anonymous. Hamlet can only speculate on the anonymous. Hamlet can only speculate on the identities of the persons in their lives, but he begins to identities of the persons in their lives, but he begins to recognize that none of their earthly deeds or recognize that none of their earthly deeds or accomplishments matters in the face of death. The final accomplishments matters in the face of death. The final skull is that of Yorick, someone Hamlet knew in life; skull is that of Yorick, someone Hamlet knew in life; and now Hamlet can contrast the person he knew in and now Hamlet can contrast the person he knew in life with what he sees of the person in death.life with what he sees of the person in death.

18. How does the entrance of 18. How does the entrance of Ophelia’s funeral procession Ophelia’s funeral procession continue this evolution?continue this evolution?

With the knowledge that Ophelia has With the knowledge that Ophelia has died, Hamlet admits that he loved her. died, Hamlet admits that he loved her. Now, not only has Hamlet stared death in Now, not only has Hamlet stared death in the face (literally), his understanding of the face (literally), his understanding of the ceasing of being that is death has the ceasing of being that is death has gone from speculative anonymity to gone from speculative anonymity to someone he knew, to someone he loved. someone he knew, to someone he loved. Death has become much more personal Death has become much more personal for him.for him.

19. What does Laertes and 19. What does Laertes and Hamlet’s fight in Ophelia’s Hamlet’s fight in Ophelia’s grave foreshadow?grave foreshadow?

The fight foreshadows the duel that is to The fight foreshadows the duel that is to come, and the fact that they both jump come, and the fact that they both jump into the grave to fight foreshadows their into the grave to fight foreshadows their deaths.deaths.

20. Why is this scene in 20. Why is this scene in prose?prose?

As with previous prose scenes, there is As with previous prose scenes, there is some humor and a good deal of wordplay some humor and a good deal of wordplay that Shakespeare does not want to that Shakespeare does not want to obscure with blank verse.obscure with blank verse.

Prose = informality, humor, de-elevation Prose = informality, humor, de-elevation of subject matterof subject matter

21. How do Hamlet and the 21. How do Hamlet and the gravedigger view the sociological gravedigger view the sociological implications of death differently?implications of death differently?

Hamlet is surprised at how everyone is Hamlet is surprised at how everyone is equal in death. The gravedigger is equal in death. The gravedigger is indignant that those of noble birth indignant that those of noble birth maintain their status even after death—if maintain their status even after death—if Ophelia hadn’t been a noblewoman, her Ophelia hadn’t been a noblewoman, her suspected suicide would have made her suspected suicide would have made her ineligible for a Christian burial in the ineligible for a Christian burial in the churchyard.churchyard.

22. How does Horatio learn about 22. How does Horatio learn about the real purpose for the trip to the real purpose for the trip to England?England?

Hamlet tell Horatio about the letters Hamlet tell Horatio about the letters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were carrying to the English king. This is the carrying to the English king. This is the first Horatio knew of the plot to kill first Horatio knew of the plot to kill Hamlet.Hamlet.

23. What is ironic about 23. What is ironic about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s approaching deaths?approaching deaths?

The have been dupes throughout the entire play, never The have been dupes throughout the entire play, never really understanding their roles or Hamlet’s perception really understanding their roles or Hamlet’s perception of them. From their standpoint, they merely obeyed the of them. From their standpoint, they merely obeyed the summons of their king (which they could not legally summons of their king (which they could not legally disobey even if they wanted to), acted as friends to disobey even if they wanted to), acted as friends to Hamlet, trying to ascertain the cause(s) of his Hamlet, trying to ascertain the cause(s) of his melancholy so that his family could remedy it. Now melancholy so that his family could remedy it. Now they are delivering official communications from one they are delivering official communications from one head of state to another. They have no idea that their head of state to another. They have no idea that their deaths are near, nor do they have any understanding deaths are near, nor do they have any understanding of what they have done to merit deathof what they have done to merit death

24. How does Shakespeare 24. How does Shakespeare establish that Hamlet is indeed a establish that Hamlet is indeed a noble gentleman?noble gentleman?

Hamlet expresses sincere regret that he Hamlet expresses sincere regret that he fought with Laertes. He recognizes that fought with Laertes. He recognizes that Laertes has the same cause for anger Laertes has the same cause for anger and desire for vengeance that he has. He and desire for vengeance that he has. He also approaches the challenge to duel also approaches the challenge to duel with Laertes as a sincere challenge. with Laertes as a sincere challenge. Being honest himself, he does not Being honest himself, he does not suspect others of being dishonest.suspect others of being dishonest.

25. How does the impending duel 25. How does the impending duel with Laertes complete Hamlet’s with Laertes complete Hamlet’s concept of death that has been concept of death that has been developing through the play?developing through the play?

Hamlet now knows the nothingness that exists Hamlet now knows the nothingness that exists after physical life ends. He has also faced the after physical life ends. He has also faced the death of someone he loved. He now says that, death of someone he loved. He now says that, since no one really understands or values life, since no one really understands or values life, it is not so difficult to leave it. He also realizes it is not so difficult to leave it. He also realizes that death is inevitable (“if it be not now, yet it that death is inevitable (“if it be not now, yet it will come,” etc.). The key to living well and will come,” etc.). The key to living well and dying nobly is “the readiness.” Thus, he will dying nobly is “the readiness.” Thus, he will face the duel with Laertes, even though he has face the duel with Laertes, even though he has admitted to having a troubling premonition admitted to having a troubling premonition about it.about it.

27. Why does Hamlet 27. Why does Hamlet apologize to Laertes?apologize to Laertes?

Hamlet is a gentleman and a man of integrity. He assumes Hamlet is a gentleman and a man of integrity. He assumes Laertes is as well. A Catholic facing possible death would first Laertes is as well. A Catholic facing possible death would first undergo the sacraments of Confession, Penance, Extreme undergo the sacraments of Confession, Penance, Extreme Unction, and Communion. In Act I, Scene V, the Ghost complains Unction, and Communion. In Act I, Scene V, the Ghost complains that he was “Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, / Unhouseled, that he was “Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, / Unhouseled, disappointed, unaneled,/ No reckoning made, but sent to my disappointed, unaneled,/ No reckoning made, but sent to my account / With all my imperfections on my head …,” in other account / With all my imperfections on my head …,” in other words, without the benefit of the above sacraments. Hamlet, words, without the benefit of the above sacraments. Hamlet, however, is caught between the “old order” represented by his however, is caught between the “old order” represented by his father and the “new order” that will be established by Fortinbras. father and the “new order” that will be established by Fortinbras. Thus, he cannot seek the same absolution for his sins that his Thus, he cannot seek the same absolution for his sins that his father craved, but he does still seek to die forgiven for whatever father craved, but he does still seek to die forgiven for whatever wrongs he may have committed—both intentionally and wrongs he may have committed—both intentionally and unintentionally—against Laertes. Notice, too, how both Hamlet unintentionally—against Laertes. Notice, too, how both Hamlet and Laertes forgive each other for killing each other.and Laertes forgive each other for killing each other.

28. Explain how each 28. Explain how each character dies in the end.character dies in the end.

Hamlet dies when Laertes wounds him with the Hamlet dies when Laertes wounds him with the poisoned rapier. Laertes and Hamlet change poisoned rapier. Laertes and Hamlet change swords and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the swords and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the same poisoned rapier. Before Laertes dies, he same poisoned rapier. Before Laertes dies, he confesses what he and Claudius had planned. confesses what he and Claudius had planned. The Queen dies when she drinks the poisoned The Queen dies when she drinks the poisoned wine that was meant for Hamlet. The King dies wine that was meant for Hamlet. The King dies after Hamlet stabs him with the poisoned rapier after Hamlet stabs him with the poisoned rapier and forces him to drink the poisoned wine.and forces him to drink the poisoned wine.