1. Gertrude and Claudius spend much of Act I Scene 2 (I.2) chastising Hamlet. Discuss why they are distraught with him and why he is acting this way in this scene. Use examples for illustration.
Claudius and Gertrude spend much of their time in Act I Scene 2 reprimanding Hamlet for his melancholy attitude and morning attire. King Claudius and Queen Gertrude are celebrating their wedding; however, Gertrude understands that her son, Prince Hamlet is offended by her seeming betrayal to the memory of her dead husband, the late King Hamlet.
2. Look at Hamlet’s first soliloquy Act I Scene 2 Ln. 129-160 (I.2.129-160). Discuss the main points that Hamlet is making in this speech. Use at least two poetic images (metaphors) he uses and their …show more content…
He wanted to make her think that he was crazy and not capable of love. When he went to see her in her chamber, he probably wanted to share his secret of the ghost with her and see her again. When he got there, he acted mad and crazy and convinced her that he did not love her. This type of lost, torn love is complex and makes the play emotional. Polonius wants to use his daughter to get in good with the king, but all it does is leave him open to the heartache Hamlet is causing.
5. Discuss the indications in the play that Claudius is not the leader his brother was and why he feels so threatened by Prince Hamlet. Give specific examples from the play that illustrate Claudius’ evil methods.
Claudius murdered the previous king and married his wife, Gertrude, so he could take over and be King of Denmark. He murdered the old king by pouring poison in the king’s ear while he was sleeping in the garden. This same manipulation is what makes him a good king. After he manipulated his way into the kingdom, he avoided a war with Norway that his brother had started by negotiating with Fortnibaris to retrieve Norway’s lost territory. He puts power over love for his family because he lets Gertrude drink wine that he knows is poison. He pretends to be a loving father/uncle to Hamlet while sending him off to be killed. He is threatened by Hamlet and doesn’t want him to discover the …show more content…
Hamlet is tasked by the ghost of his father to avenge his death. Discuss at least two reasons Hamlet doesn’t kill Claudius when he has the opportunity and what this suggests about his character.
Hamlet doesn’t kill Claudius because he realizes that Claudius is praying. The people felt that if you prayed, you were absolved of all sins. Hamlet thought that if he killed Claudius, he would go to heaven and be freed from his sins. Furthermore, Hamlet wants Claudius to suffer. He wants to wait until Claudius is sinning, so when he dies, he goes to hell. This tells us that Hamlet is vengeful and wants Claudius to suffer, just as he has suffered.
7. Discuss why Hamlet devises the ‘mouse trap play’ and what this suggests about Hamlet’s mental state at this point in the play itself.
Hamlet devises the mouse tray play to gauge Claudius reaction to see if he was guilty. He asked the troop of actors to play a similar scene to how Claudius murdered his brother, King Hamlet. His inability to avenge his father’s death led him to this play. He was unable to make decisions and usually acted on whims.
8. Discuss whether or not Ophelia’s death is a suicide, using examples for support. What information does Gertrude contribute to Ophelia’s
Claudius and Gertrude spend much of their time in Act I Scene 2 reprimanding Hamlet for his melancholy attitude and morning attire. King Claudius and Queen Gertrude are celebrating their wedding; however, Gertrude understands that her son, Prince Hamlet is offended by her seeming betrayal to the memory of her dead husband, the late King Hamlet.
2. Look at Hamlet’s first soliloquy Act I Scene 2 Ln. 129-160 (I.2.129-160). Discuss the main points that Hamlet is making in this speech. Use at least two poetic images (metaphors) he uses and their …show more content…
He wanted to make her think that he was crazy and not capable of love. When he went to see her in her chamber, he probably wanted to share his secret of the ghost with her and see her again. When he got there, he acted mad and crazy and convinced her that he did not love her. This type of lost, torn love is complex and makes the play emotional. Polonius wants to use his daughter to get in good with the king, but all it does is leave him open to the heartache Hamlet is causing.
5. Discuss the indications in the play that Claudius is not the leader his brother was and why he feels so threatened by Prince Hamlet. Give specific examples from the play that illustrate Claudius’ evil methods.
Claudius murdered the previous king and married his wife, Gertrude, so he could take over and be King of Denmark. He murdered the old king by pouring poison in the king’s ear while he was sleeping in the garden. This same manipulation is what makes him a good king. After he manipulated his way into the kingdom, he avoided a war with Norway that his brother had started by negotiating with Fortnibaris to retrieve Norway’s lost territory. He puts power over love for his family because he lets Gertrude drink wine that he knows is poison. He pretends to be a loving father/uncle to Hamlet while sending him off to be killed. He is threatened by Hamlet and doesn’t want him to discover the …show more content…
Hamlet is tasked by the ghost of his father to avenge his death. Discuss at least two reasons Hamlet doesn’t kill Claudius when he has the opportunity and what this suggests about his character.
Hamlet doesn’t kill Claudius because he realizes that Claudius is praying. The people felt that if you prayed, you were absolved of all sins. Hamlet thought that if he killed Claudius, he would go to heaven and be freed from his sins. Furthermore, Hamlet wants Claudius to suffer. He wants to wait until Claudius is sinning, so when he dies, he goes to hell. This tells us that Hamlet is vengeful and wants Claudius to suffer, just as he has suffered.
7. Discuss why Hamlet devises the ‘mouse trap play’ and what this suggests about Hamlet’s mental state at this point in the play itself.
Hamlet devises the mouse tray play to gauge Claudius reaction to see if he was guilty. He asked the troop of actors to play a similar scene to how Claudius murdered his brother, King Hamlet. His inability to avenge his father’s death led him to this play. He was unable to make decisions and usually acted on whims.
8. Discuss whether or not Ophelia’s death is a suicide, using examples for support. What information does Gertrude contribute to Ophelia’s