Hamlet- Acts 4, Scenes 1 and 2, Seminar By Ishan Chatterjee and Prenav Surrendiraa Act 4- Scene 1, Prior Recap • Act 1- Introduces haunting of the Ghost, Hamlet's internal conflict, and revelation of Claudius' guilt in the murder of King Hamlet. • Act 2- Hamlet feigns madness. He orchestrates a "Play within a play" resembling the circumstances of his father's murder, attempting to gauge Claudius' guilt. • Act 3- Notable moments include Hamlet's philosophical soliloquy "To be or not to be", the killing of Polonius, and confrontations with his mother. Act 4- Scene 1, Plot Summary • Gertrude, in a fearful manner, informs Claudius about her encounter with Hamlet. She mentions the killing of Polonius. • Gertrude expresses potential hope for her son's recovery. However, Claudius depicts greater interest for the matter at hand. • Claudius employs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and dispose of Polonius' body. Character AnalysisGertrude • Gertrude is the Queen of Denmark, and mother to Hamlet. • She is initially depicted as an obedient individual. However, her hasty marriage to Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, raises questions regarding her loyalty and moral judgement. • Her inability to understand the gravity of her actions contribute to the tragic events that transpire. Character AnalysisClaudius • Claudius is the main antagonist throughout the entirety of the play. • He is the newly crowned King, who has an excellent ability to deceive those around him. • Claudius is driven by a sense of strong ambition and a relentless pursuit of selfinterest, resulting in the destruction of his relationships and his eventual downfall. Thematic AspectAppearance vs Reality • Thematic aspects of Appearance vs Reality are employed prominently throughout Act 4. • Gertrude's fearful manner and mention of Polonius' killing depict a vivid contrast between Appearance and Reality. She expresses potential hope for her son's recovery, while hiding her own complicity in the events. • Claudius shows a pragmatic interest towards the matter, as he employs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and dispose of Polonius' body. Act 4, Scene 2- Plot Summary • Hamlet criticizes Rosencrantz and Guildenstern due to their willingness to work for Claudius. • Moreover, Hamlet's viewpoint appeals to the literary sense of Pathos as it evokes sympathy for his predicament. • Rosencrantz pressures Hamlet for information. Regardless, Hamlet maintains an evasive stance, appealing to a literary sense of ethos. Act 4, Scene 2- Efforts of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern • During this specific scene, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern confront Hamlet regarding the whereabouts of Polonius' body. Hamlet refuses to disclose any pertinent information, highlighting the futility of their servitude to the King. • Hamlet engages in a melancholic conversation, suggesting that their loyalty to the King will ultimately lead to their downfall. • Despite the repeated attempts by Rosencrantz, Hamlet maintains his evasive stance, refusing to provide a direct answer. Character AnalysisHamlet • Hamlet is a complex and introspective character who possesses a deep sense of moral integrity. He struggles with his own existential dilemmas, driving the core conflict of the play. • Hamlet displays a remarkable sense of intelligence, using his wit and intricate thinking to navigate the deceitful court of Denmark and seek justice for his father's murder. Literary ThemeRevenge • The play "Hamlet" explores the theme of revenge through the determined perspective of the main protagonist. • Overall, the play highlights the destructive nature of revenge. Hamlet's single-minded pursuit of justice leads to the deaths of Polonius, Rosencrantz, and ultimately himself. • Revenge entails severe consequences. It is not a viable path towards true justice. Literary DevicesSoliloquy • In Act 3, Scene 1, Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy employs certain literary devices. For instance, there are metaphors, rhetorical questions and antitheses, which explore the existential question of life and death. • In Act 4, Scene 4, Hamlet's soliloquy "How all occasions" utilizes dramatic irony and adherences to religious imagery. Symbolism- The Sea Voyage to England • A transition occurs from Act 4 Scene 2, to Act 4 Scene 3. Hamlet transitions from a contemplative state to a more decisive and action-oriented phase of his journey. • Metaphorically, the eventual sea-voyage depicts Hamlet's poignant desire to escape the corrupt and treacherous environment of Denmark. • Claudius dispatches Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, utilizing the fact that they are close childhood friends of Hamlet. He plans to retain power by facilitating Hamlet's execution. Literary ThemeMadness • The thematic element of madness serves as a reflection of the corrupt and unstable nature of the world, in which the characters exist. His feigned madness is initially projected as a strategic maneuver. • However, Hamlet's feigned madness gradually blurs the lines between fact and reality. Dramatic Irony • Dramatic Irony is a literary device. The audience holds knowledge regarding a particular piece of information within the play. The knowledge extends beyond certain immediate characters within the fictional setting. • For instance, in Act 4 Scene 1, Claudius plots the execution of Hamlet upon his arrival in England. On the other hand, Gertrude remains unaware regarding Claudius's motives. It is an example of Dramatic Irony. • Throughout the Sea Voyage, Hamlet remains unaware regarding Guildenstern's plan to aid Claudius for a targeted execution. Foreshadowing- The Climax • Foreshadowing is relevant throughout the entire play. For instance, at the beginning of the play, the ghost of King Hamlet hints at ominous circumstances. The ghost's revelation about the murder of King Hamlet serves as a catalyst for the revenge plot that drives the play towards the pivotal climax. • The central conflict is foreshadowed throughout the play, through Hamlet's soliloquys and dialogues. • Act 4 builds suspense and anticipation for the final act and eventual ending. Analysis of Language – Rhetoric & Language Devices • Use of Rhetoric: • Claudius manipulates Laertes with persuasive language, framing Hamlet as an immediate threat. • Emphasis on Hamlet's danger serves Claudius's manipulative agenda. • Language Devices: • Metaphors like "canker" and "plague" describe Hamlet's harmful impact. • Repetition and strong language intensify the sense of urgency. • Impact on Audience: • Creates tension, portraying Hamlet as a looming danger. • Manipulates the audience's perception, enhancing the intrigue. Scene Comparison – Act 4 vs. Previous Acts Scene Comparison – Act 4 vs. Previous Acts Scene Comparison – Act 4 vs. Previous Acts • Tone and Pacing: • Previous Acts: Contemplative tone, measured pacing. • Act 4, Scene 1: Darker tone, urgency, faster pace. • Act 4, Scene 2: Literary contrast. • Character Development: • Previous Acts: Introduced complexities. • Act 4, Scene 1: Claudius manipulates, Hamlet's danger. • Act 4, Scene 2: Showcases Hamlet's wit and humor. • Plot Progression: • Previous Acts: Established conflicts. • Act 4, Scene 1: Triggers tragic events. • Act 4, Scene 2: Adds nuance to Hamlet's character. • Overall Impact: • Act 4 intensifies narrative, deepens characters. • Sets stage for climax and resolution. • Impact: Enhances unfolding drama. Critical Reception of Act 4 Scene 1 and 2 • Act 4, Scenes 1 and 2 of "Hamlet" are not well documented historically, but they most certainly existed in the context of the play's wider reception at the time. • Current analysis explores the subtleties of the characters and the story's influence. • The lasting appeal of "Hamlet" in modern theatre is confirmed by notable performances by actors such as David Tennant and Kenneth Branagh, as well as by a variety of adaptations. Shakespeare's works are ageless, as seen by the resonance these scenes have even in the face of historical gaps. Conclusion • The presentation explored Act 4, Scene 1 and 2 in "Hamlet," tracing their reception historically and contemporarily. Notably, Scene 1's dark tone and pivotal role contrast with Scene 2's linguistic play, contributing to Hamlet's enduring appeal. These scenes play a crucial role in intensifying tension, shaping characters, and setting the stage for tragic events, highlighting their timeless significance in the narrative. Q and A True or false? Ophelia's madness was caused primarily by the death of Polonius True The play within a play was only intended for entertainment and had no strategic purpose for Hamlet False – It was intended to evoke Claudius's guilt What does the letter that Hamlet sends to Claudius about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern demand It demands the immediate execution of them upon their immediate arrival in England Why does Claudius send Hamlet to England? To have him executed there as Hamlet is a threat to his rule During Ophelia's madness scene, she carries a specific object the holds symbolic value. What is that object/objects. The objects that she carries are flowers. True or false? Hamlet is pleased to see Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. False – Hamlet knows they have betrayed him and are acting as spies for Claudius Does Claudius know about hamlets involvement in Polonius's death? Yes, he does When Polonius eavesdrops on Hamlet and Gertrude where does he hide? He hides behind the tapestry/curtain How did Laertes plan on avenging his father's death? Laertes plans to avenge his father's death by challenging Hamlet to a duel. Sources/Works Cited https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/hamlet/read/4/1/ https://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php? WorkID=hamlet&Act=4&Scope=act&pleasewait=1&msg=pl https://hamletnotes.wordpress.com/act-4/ https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare-learning-zone/hamlet/story/sceneby-scene https://www.hackensackschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx? moduleinstanceid=670&dataid=5654&FileName=hamlet%20act%204.pd f
