Hamlet: Act 5 Study Guide
Respond ON this paper. Turn in after reading in class.
Scene 1
Setting:
1.Whose grave is being dug?
2. What do the grave-digger and other say about Ophelia? What religion seems to be
prominent at this time based on their conversation?
3. How does Hamlet feel about the grave-digger's song? What does this show about
Hamlet's character?
4. What does the grave-digger tell Hamlet about Hamlet? Is it strange that the gravedigger knows this? (5.1.140-160)
5. What does Hamlet do with the skull of Yorick, the deceased King's jester?
6. What occurs between Laertes and Hamlet? Do you think Hamlet is wise to make his
presence known?
7. Why do you think they let Hamlet leave?
Scene 2
Setting:
8. Here Hamlet recounts his experiences in England to Horatio. Examine lines 19-26:
What does he tell Horatio was supposed to happen to Hamlet?
9. What happened to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
10. How does Hamlet feel about Claudius at this point? Laertes? (68-83)
11. What news does Orsic bring? (87-108)
12. What is to take place before Laertes and Hamlet? (194-220) What do you predict the
outcome will be?
13. What does Hamlet ask of Laertes? What does Hamlet claim is to blame for the murder
of Polonius?
14. Does Laertes forgive Hamlet?
15. Why do Laertes and Hamlet fence?
16. What does Claudius plan? Which drink is Hamlet's?
17. What does Gertrude do?
18. Does it seem that Laertes wanted Hamlet to die? (being with speech at 338)
19. What does Hamlet ask of Horatio as he _____?
20. Who makes an appearance at the end? Does his role play out as you expected?
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