Hamlet - Act Five Questions
Answer the following questions in full and complete sentences. Use direct references
from the text in your answers.
Act Five, scene one:
1.
What concerns regarding Ophelia’s death do the gravediggers discuss?
2.
The beginning of this scene was supposed to inject humour into the play. Do you
think Shakespeare succeeds? Why or why not?
3.
What realization about death does Hamlet come to after talking to the
gravediggers?
4.
How does Hamlet react to seeing Laertes’ grief? Do you think this is realistic?
Act Five, scene two:
1.
How does Hamlet get away from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
2.
What fate has Hamlet contrived for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
3.
To what extent is this action justified?
4.
What message does Osric bring to Hamlet?
5.
At the feast, how does Hamlet behave towards Laertes? What is Laertes’
response?
6.
Explain how each of the following characters die:
7.
How does Laertes redeem himself before he dies?
8.
What is Hamlet’s last request?
9.
Why is it necessary for all the main players to die at the end of the play?
Gertrude
Laertes
Claudius
Hamlet
Horatio