Hamlet: Act 4
Shakespear’s
HAMLET
Act 4, Scene 1-3 (p.79-84)
Reading Questions
1. Analyze Shakespeare’s portrayal of the disconnect between appearance and reality, specifically considering:
a. the content and motive of the potential lies Claudius and Gertrude tell each other (4.1)
b. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s authenticity of self when viewed as a “sponge,” and their relationship with the King (4.2)
c. Hamlet’s ambiguous comment: The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing— (4.2)
d. the action Claudius takes against Hamlet and his reasoning for not simply arresting Hamlet (4.3)
2. Analyze Shakespeare’s portrayal of the nature of life and death, specifically considering Hamlet's comments pertaining to:
a. the man’s inevitable fate in death (4.3)
b. the actual differences between social hierarchy in human society; between the aristocracy and the poor (4.3)
Act 4, Scene 4-5 (p.84-93)
1. Although relatively short, the fourth scene in the fourth act is significant in Hamlet’s development as a character. Analyze
Hamlet’s conversation with the Norwegian Captain and his seventh (and final) major soliloquy depicting his struggle in
choosing between action and inaction, specifically considering:
a. the value of the “patch of ground" Fortinbras aims to occupy—consider the diction used (i.e. craven, scruple, precisely)
b. the action/inaction Norway and Poland plan to take, and the motives behind their respective action/inaction
c. Hamlet’s theory on why he has not yet taken his revenge on Claudius
d. the conclusion Hamlet makes regarding Fortinbras and honor, and how Fortinbras can be seen as a foil for Hamlet
e. Hamlet’s future plan on taking action against Claudius
2. Analyze Act 4, Scene 5’s portrayal of the disconnect between appearance and reality, and its affect on the self, considering:
a. Gertrude's interior self, as presented in her aside, and how this establishes her as foil for Ophelia
b. the meaning behind Claudius’ comment, “when sorrows come, they come not in single spies, / But in battalions, ”
and its connection to Ophelia’s present condition (i.e. her interior and exterior self)
3. Analyze Act 4, Scene 5’s portrayal of action and inaction, and its affect on the self, specifically considering:
a. Laertes' meaning is stating, “the drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me a bastard”
b. the influence Ophelia’s condition has on Laertes' intended action/inaction
c. the result of Ophelia and Laertes’ action/inaction on their internal self
d. Laertes' intended action/inaction and his opinion of the potential consequences
e. how Laertes can be seen as a foil for Hamlet
Act 4, Scene 6-7 (p.93-100)
1. Examine the seventh scene of act four and analyze its portrayal of action and inaction, specifically considering:
a. Claudius’ reasoning for not taking action against Hamlet
b. Claudius’ commentary on the nature of passion and its relation to action/inaction
c. Claudius’ primary plan devised against Hamlet, and his ambiguous motives
d. Claudius’ back-up plan to ensure their plot for revenge is successful
e. Ophelia’s ambiguous demise and it’s relation to action/inaction, as juxtaposed with Hamlet’s fourth soliloquy (p.53)
f. Shakespeare’s reasoning in having Gertrude notify us of Ophelia’s death (Hint: foil)
g. Laertes' response to Ophalia’s death, and its relation to action/inaction (and its tension against tradition)
Hamlet: Act 5
Act 5, Scene 1 (p.101-109)
1. The first scene of the fifth act, also known as the gravedigger scene, is one of Hamlet’s most famous. Analyze the scene’s
portrayal of the traditional skepticism, specifically considering:
a. the gravedigger’s commentary on the relationship between wealth and religion
b. Horatio and Hamlet’s commentary on the affects of “custom”
c. Hamlet’s commentary on the distribution of respect to the dead
d. Hamlet’s meaning and motive in stating that “the age is grown so picked,” and its relation to social hierarchy
2. The first scene of the fifth act, also known as the gravedigger scene, is one of Hamlet’s most famous. Analyze the scene’s
message on the tension the nature of life and the nature of death, specifically considering:
a. the true significance of material values (e.g. land/property)
b. the gravedigger’s claim that the grave is for neither a man nor a woman
c. the symbolic meaning of Yorick’s skull, and Hamlet’s commentary on his “lady’s” appearance
d. Hamlet’s meditation on Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar?
e. the difference in the scene’s mood and Hamlet’s tone when juxtaposed with the discussion of death in Act 4, Scene 3
4. Examine the scene depicting Ophelia’s funeral ceremony by analyzing the scene’s portrayal of self authenticity, considering:
a. Hamlet’s action/inaction upon witnessing Laertes’ display of grief and Hamlet’s affirmed feelings towards Ophelia
b. The significance of Hamlet identifying himself as “Hamlet the Dane”
c. the cause of Hamlet’s present action/inaction (i.e. Hamlet’s seventh soliloquy, Hamlet’s encounter with Yurick’s skull)
d. Hamlet’s commentary on the “Hercules” and the nature of “cats” and “dogs,” as it pertains to self actualization
Act 5, Scene 2 (p.109-122)
1. Examine Hamlet’s final scene and analyze its portrayal of action and inaction, specifically considering:
a. Hamlet’s commentary on careful planning and indiscretion (in regards to action/inaction) and its relation to fate
b. the matter and motive of Hamlet’s action/inaction taken against Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
c. Hamlet’s ambiguous motive in justifying his foreseen action against Claudius (when speaking with Horatio)
d. Horatio’s advise to Hamlet on his entering the fencing match, and Hamlet’s eventual fate
e. Laertes’ aside just prior to wounding Hamlet, and Laertes’ eventual fate
f. the final cause leading to Hamlet’s action against Claudius
2. Examine Hamlet’s final scene and analyze its portrayal of the disconnect between appearance and reality, considering:
a. Hamlet’s commentary on the diction and behavior of Claudius’ royal advisor, Osric
b. the meaning and authenticity of Hamlets apologetic confession to Laertes
c. the dissolving of Claudius’ false appearances and the unveiling of reality
d. the relationship of appearance and reality pertaining to Fortinbras and Fortinbras’ eventual fate
3. Examine Hamlet’s final scene and analyze its portrayal of the nature of death, specifically considering:
a. Hamlet’s foreshadowing comment pertaining to his upcoming fencing match against Laertes
b. Hamlet’s meaning in stating, “There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow”
c. Hamlet’s final statement just prior to the entrance of the royal court juxtaposed with his fourth soliloquy (p.53)
d. the meaning of Hamlet’s final words