Act Four

Hamlet Act 4 Study Questions

SCENE THREE

1. Explain the worm metaphor. What does Hamlet’s explanation of Polonius’ situation suggest about Hamlet’s state of mind?
2. What is the purpose of the sealed letters?

SCENE FOUR

             3.      When Hamlet compares himself to Fortinbras’ men, what does he realize?

SCENE FIVE

           4.      How has Polonius’ death affected Ophelia?

5. How does Hamlet’s desire for revenge differ from Laertes’?

SCENE SIX

          6.      How does Hamlet escape the boat bound for England?

SCENE SEVEN

            7.      Explain Claudius’ plan for Hamlet’s eventual death.

8. Describe the conditions surrounding Ophelia’s death. What do they suggest about her? Would you argue that she actually killed herself? Use a quote somewhere in your response.

QUEEN GERTRUDE:

There is a willow grows aslant a brook,

That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream;

There with fantastic garlands did she come

Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples

That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,

But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them:

There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds

Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke;

When down her weedy trophies and herself

Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide;

And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up:

Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes;

As one incapable of her own distress,

Or like a creature native and indued

Unto that element: but long it could not be

Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,

Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay

To muddy death.

(IV. vii. 190-208)

To Be or Not to Be

To Be or Not to Be Soliloquy Questions:

1) How is this soliloquy different from all these other ones so far? Why is this the case? (Count the number of times Hamlet uses the word             “I” or “me” in the soliloquy)

2) What does Hamlet say is the ultimate reason why humans decide to stay alive?

3) What does he say keeps determined people from taking action in their lives? How is this true in Hamlet’s case?

4) Do you believe Hamlet is actually serious about considering suicide? Why or why not?

Act 3 Study Questions

Answer each question in multiple complete sentences and use quotations or specific references to support your answers. Questions in bold must be answered in a full paragraph with more depth in your analysis. Answer on a separate piece of paper.

SCENE 1

1. Read the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia. Remember that Hamlet was very sarcastic, slightly funny, and a little cruel to Polonius in the previous Act. How is Hamlet’s treatment of Ophelia in this conversation different from his treatment of Polonius? Why do you think he is treating her in this way?

SCENE 2

(See “Video Questions” on other side)

SCENE 3

     2.      In Claudius’ first monologue the reader saw a smart, calculating politician who seemed to be in love. In this Act’s Soliloquy, the reader witnesses a much different villain. Write a paragraph describing Claudius feelings in this speech. What concerns Claudius in his soliloquy? What kind of villain is he? 

3. Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he has the chance? Do you think this is a rational reason for not killing the King?

SCENE  4

      4.      How does Hamlet act after he kills Polonius? Does he seem remorseful at all? What might this tell you about his mental state?

5. What might be significant that Hamlet is the only one who sees the ghost in this scene? What might this tell us about his mental state?

Hamlet Act 2 Questions

Answer each question in multiple complete sentences and use quotations or specific references to support your answers. Questions in bold must be answered in a full paragraph with more depth in your analysis. Answer on a separate piece of paper.

SCENE 1: At the beginning of the scene Polonius speaks to a character named Reynaldo (someone we never see again) and tells him to spy on his son, Laertes. The purpose of this conversation is to show how Polonius is a rather sneaky father. Then Ophelia comes to him with some information:

1. Describe Hamlet’s behavior as Ophelia reports it. How does Polonius respond?
2. How has Ophelia changed (or not changed) from Act 1 Scene 3 when she spoke with her brother and father? Is she doing the right thing in reporting Hamlet’s strange actions to her father? Or is she just scared? Or is she just conforming to whatever her father tells her to do?

SCENE 2

3.      Explain Rosencrantz’ and Guildenstern’s purpose for being called back to Denmark. How do they react?

4. After reading the conversation between Polonius and the King and Queen, how are the relationships between Polonius and his children similar to the relationship between the King/ Queen and Hamlet?
5. Describe Hamlet’s behavior during his encounter with Polonius. What is his purpose for acting this way?
6. What effect is Hamlet’s behavior from this act having on the other people in the castle?
7. Paraphrase Hamlet’s “Metaphysical” monologue  (“I have of late…”). Focus on his view of mankind. What does this tell you about Hamlet’s current state of mind? Is this all just part of his antic disposition? Or is this how he really feels?
8. Paraphrase Hamlet’s soliloquy at the end of the scene. Compare/contrast Hamlet’s mood at the end of act two with that of act one.

Hamlet’s Metaphysical Monologue

I have of late, (but wherefore

I know not) lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises;

and indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition;

that this goodly frame the earth, seems to me a sterile

promontory; this most excellent canopy the air,

look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof,

fretted with golden fire: why, it appears no other thing

to me, than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors.

What a piece of work is a man! How noble in

reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving

how express and admirable! In action how like an Angel!

in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the

world! The paragon of animals! And yet to me, what is

this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me

 (Act II, Scene ii, 285-300)