What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and song? How does it fit into the play?
· He lightens the mood and he is trying to prove that he knows who Hamlet is and he is playing with him. His song is about love and aging and dying. This is a very depressing song yet he puts a happier tune to it. It’s a foreshadow that death is coming for Hamlet.
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 knew the person whose skull it was (Yoric) and it brings back memories from a time when there was happiness in his life. However when he sees Ophelia and his father more angry emotions rush over him. He also realizes that everyone is equal in death and he knows that he is going to die.
How old is Hamlet? How do you know this?
· He is thirty. The gravedigger says he has been working their since Hamlet was born thirty years ago.
What does the violent argument between Hamlet and Laertes add to the play?
· Hamlet comes out and says that he is the dane and Laertes jumps in Ophelia’s grave and then they start wrestling in it. They are both fighting to see who loved Ophelia more. They both have obvious degrees of madness within them.
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?
· He is willing to kill off his childhood friends and not allow them to have anytime to ask for forgiveness from god, meaning they will most likely go to hell. He takes betrayal the most seriously and doesn’t really like to tolerate it. He has become an avenger of some type, whether he is his fathers avenger or Gods.
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 is saying that Claudius has taken his spot as King so he must take it back so he can rightfully claim his spot on the throne and that he wants to be the King now. This is kind of the first time we are seeing this side of Hamlet because throughout the rest of the play he really had no interesting in being King.
What concerns of the play are reinforced in the Osric episode? (V.ii.80-170)
· He tells Hamlet that the King desires to not have a fight with Laertes. He goes about it by talking in large words that are really unnecessary. He is trying to impress Hamlet because he is in the position of power. This backs up the idea of prostitution.
Why does Hamlet ‘defy augury’? (V.ii.192)
· This is going to happen one way or another and that he is supposed to go there. So technically he really isn’t defying augury but if he were to pretend he was ill like Horatio wanted him to, then he would be defying augury.
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)
· Hamlet says that he is sorry to Laertes and Laertes forgives him and accepts his apology. He wants to protect his honor while at the same time he is already planning on killing Hamlet so his honor is already stained. There is much revenge from many people however I feel like their motives become blurred throughout the play and they loose the sense of why they are getting revenge and they venture off of their original plan of action.
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?
· Gertrude drank the wine knowing it was poisoned and she decided to take action anyway. Claudius is reaching out to his people and his kingdom but none of them really care about him. Its not until Laertes is dying that he realizes that what he has done is wrong and that the King is to blame for all of this and that him and Hamlet were trying to accomplish the same things.
Who “wins” in Hamlet? How and why do you think this?
· Fortinbras, because he is the only one who succeeded in avenging his father and lived afterwards. He pretty much got what he wanted.
