Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Hamlet 5.1-5.2

1) What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and song? How does it fit into the play?
The gravedigger is there to entertain the people and sings about Hamlet's death.


2) In what ways do Hamlet’s reactions to the skulls in the graveyard seem to suggest a change in his outlook? Compare Hamlet’s attitude towards Yoric to Hamlet’s attitude to Ophelia or even his father? How is it different? How is it similar?
He finally recovers from his madness and feels more happiness with the dead than the living(perhaps because they might have been just affiliates for his father and not the current King)


3) How old is Hamlet? How do you know this?
He is 30 because the gravedigger has had been working as a gravedigger for 30 years


4) What does the violent argument between Hamlet and Laertes add to the play?
It shows that Hamlet acctually cared for Ophilia and is sad at her loss.


5) What developments in Hamlet’s character are presented through the story of what happened on the boat? (V.ii 1-62). How has Hamlet changed?
Hamlet is now taking action and has a blood-lust. He sent his own old best friends to be killed so fast they couldn't be allowed into Heaven.


6) How do Hamlet’s motives in killing Claudius seem to have shifted according to his speech beginning “Does it not, think thee…” (V.ii.63)
Hamlet has proclaimed himself King and has told Claudius to back off. (too bad Hamlet doesn't get to be King)


7) What concerns of the play are reinforced in the Osric episode? (V.ii.80-170)
Oseic is Polonius's reincarnation and trys to use big words, but in the presence of a true wording master , Hamlet, fails to under stand. It shows that almost everyone is sucking up to the royal family.


8) Why does Hamlet ‘defy augury’? (V.ii.192)
He knows there is a highly proboble chance he is going to die and wants to go down like a man, killing opponents and lauphing at death.


9) What does Laertes say is his motive in still resenting Hamlet? How has already lost this? How does this contribute to the presentation of revenge in the play? (V.ii216-223)
He know knows that that this whole problem is the King and that he is sorry for killing Hamlet


10) How might the dying lines of Gertrude, Claudius and Laertes be viewed as typical of the way their characters have been presented throughout the play?
The Queen gets to protect Hamlet, her only child, from drinking the poisoned cup. The King gets what he disserves and still trys to ask for help and dies unhonorably. Laertes gets to say good bye and that he didn't really hate Hamlet because they were both, to some extent, the King's puppets.


11) Who “wins” in Hamlet? How and why do you think this?
Fortinbras "wins" dut da da, because he is still alive and not only gets his lands back(probobly) but might (very likely) become KING!!! of Denmark.

1 comment:

  1. Riley,

    9) Look over these lines again. Laertes says something about honor.

    ReplyDelete