Hamlet Content Questions – Act 5
Act 5, Scene 1
What do we discover about the cause of Ophelia’s death from the gravediggers’ conversation?
What is Shakespeare’s purpose for including this comical conversation between the gravediggers?
What clue do we get about Hamlet’s age in this scene?
Who was Yorick?
How do Hamlet’s experiences in the graveyard (especially with Yorick) reaffirm his rather
depressing views on the nature of man?
6. Provide an example of the following from this scene: allusion, simile, pun,
7. Key terms to be aware of: the nature of man, the consequences of suicide, clowns and their
purpose
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5.
Act 5, Scene 2
1. How did Hamlet escape from his predicament aboard the pirate ship?
2. How did Hamlet manage to escape being killed in England? What did this mean for Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern?
3. Who is Osric and what news does he bring Hamlet?
4. Describe the bet King Claudius has made regarding the duel between Laertes and Hamlet.
5. Does Hamlet suspect that something may be a bit fishy with the contest? Explain your answer. If
he does feel there is something fishy, why does he agree to compete in the duel anyway?
6. Hamlet attempts to apologize to Hamlet for Ophelia’s and Polonius’ deaths. What does he blame
their deaths on?
7. Describe in detail how Claudius’ and Laertes’ plan goes awry and how Hamlet finally carries out
his revenge (albeit at a great cost).
8. What does Horatio offer to do for his friend Hamlet? Why does Hamlet refuse to allow this?
9. What are Hamlet’s two dying requests to Horatio?
10. Why does Shakespeare decide to end the play with Fortinbras arriving to take over the kingdom of
Denmark?
11. Provide an example of the following from this scene: simile, personification
12. Key terms to be aware of: foppish, revenge, the true meaning of honor, courage, and bravery,
Machiavelli.
Here are some terms you will want to be familiar with for the final test:
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b)
c)
d)
e)
key themes from Hamlet (especially appearance versus reality and fate and destiny)
revenge tragedy
tragic hero / tragic flaw
the five act structure
all of the questions, quotes, figures of speech, etc. that we have gone over in class